Once Upon a Dream Read Online Free PDF Page A

he might be fair game.”
    They all exchanged glances again.
    “Stop that,” she said, crossing her arms.
    “We just don’t want you hurt,” Viola said.
    “We don’t want you to fall into the same trap your mother did,” Bea added with her usual candor.
    “I’m not.” At the disbelieving looks, she shook her head. “Really, I’m not. I know what I’m doing. One kiss. I’ll kiss him, and if he’s meant to be mine he’ll fall in love right there and realize he’s seeing the wrong woman.”
    “Life doesn’t work like a fairy tale, Summer.”
    Why couldn’t it? She gritted her teeth, determined to prove them wrong. One just needed to believe. Love always prevailed. “Does that mean you won’t help me?”
    Bea shook her head. “We’re always here for you, Summer. You’re our sister. Of course we’ll help you.”
    “You want us to hold him down and squish his cheeks so his lips pucker?” Rosalind asked.
    Summer smiled. “I don’t think we need to go that far.”
    They all looked up as the front entrance burst open and Titania breezed in, her stride lanky in her Converse shoes. She wore her usual jeans and a T-shirt, but her hair bounced happily past her shoulders and her cheeks flushed with the warm glow of love. In her hand, she held her camera, like she always did.
    Their youngest sister shooed Rosalind over and crowded in. “What did I miss?” she asked, gesturing to the bartender for a drink. “And where’s Luca? I thought he’d be here. I have some business I need to discuss with him.”
    Beatrice stiffened. “What sort of business?”
    Summer hid her wince behind her wine glass. Bea and the Italian Formula One driver had something going on, but no one could figure out what. Luca had been more and more scarce lately, which just added to the mystery since he used to be around so often. Summer hoped he and Bea hadn’t had a falling out. Luca’s love for Bea was written on every line of his face.
    Titania shrugged, smiling at the waitress who deposited a pint of beer in front of her. “Luca wanted me to do some photos for some spread he has coming up.”
    Bea reclined, her eyes flinty. “He probably wants portraits of himself to put up in his flat.”
    “He is pretty to look at,” Rosalind replied mildly.
    Bea snorted.
    “I’d shag him,” Vi said.
    Summer shook her head. Luca was attractive, but he was much too wild. Ryan, on the other hand, was perfect—gentlemanly and proper.
    “No one’s going to shag Luca,” their oldest sister commanded.
    Rosalind grinned. “Not even you, Bea?”
    Titania chortled, and Bea gave her a steely look as she lifted her martini.
    The entrance opened again, and Jacqueline walked into the bar. She stopped in the doorway and looked around, as though adjusting her vision, even though all the windows were open and it was the same light quality inside and out. She saw them in the booth and, slowly, carefully, came to join them.
    Summer looked at the others and saw the surprise on their faces. “I invited her.”
    “Good,” Bea said, turning to her mother. “This is a lovely surprise.”
    “Sit here.” Titania crowded Rosalind and Summer over. “There’s space.”
    “Thank you,” the woman said, carefully smoothing her skirt as she slid in. Jacqueline’s eyes misted over the tiniest bit.
    If Summer hadn’t been watching she’d have missed it. She knew that Jacqueline had been estranged from her daughters for years and that any closeness was due to recent efforts. Except for Beatrice, who was the glue of the family.
    Summer smiled at Jacqueline. “You have perfect timing. I have a masked ball to go to, and I need everyone’s help. I made notes for each of you.” Feeling jittery with hope and anticipation and fear, because her future depended on this, she handed out the cards to each respective person.
    “A black mask,” Viola read from her card. She set it down and faced Summer. “Is this for you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Forgive me, dearest,