Free The Wedding by Danielle Steel

FBI, since the letter came in the mail, and then I've got the awards tonight.
    That ought to be entertaining, he said, sounding completely disengaged, as though it had never been part of the plan for him to be there. How was dinner last night?
    Okay. The usual. The Steinbergs at their best and worst. Scott came home, so that was nice. Sam is getting a little big for her britches, these days. I guess it's the age, but I can't say I'm crazy about it.
    That's because your mother lets her do anything she wants. If you ask me, that's the surest way to wind up with a spoiled brat, and she's getting a little old for that. I'm surprised your father doesn't put his foot down. She thought that Brandon was being a little harsh, and although she didn't completely disagree with him, she was nonetheless surprised that he was so willing to criticize her siblings. She was always especially careful not to say anything less than nattering about his children.
    My father worships her. And she's been doing more modeling lately too. That probably gives her a fat head, and makes her think she can say anything she wants. She was still thinking about Sam's comments the night before, and now she was doubly annoyed at Sam for making her worry for nothing. It was interesting, though, that she had actually gotten to her, but Allegra knew it was only because she was so unhappy about his going to San Francisco for the weekend.
    She'll get into trouble with her modeling one of these days. One of the photographers will come on to her, or they'll offer her drugs. I think that whole scene is unhealthy for her. I'm surprised your parents are willing to let her do it. To Brandon, it was all about the evils of show business, in all its forms and variations. It was something he emphatically disapproved of. And he frequently said that he would never let his girls model, or act, or do anything that involved putting them in the public eye. He always made it clear to Allegra that he thought their business was seamy and very unappealing, in spite of the fact that her parents had done extremely well at it, and she obviously enjoyed it.
    You could be right, she said diplomatically, wondering if they were just too different, or if it was because he was away, and she felt as though he had let her down. Sometimes it was hard to know, even after two years, if this was the right choice for her. Most of the time, she thought he was right for her, and then occasionally, like now, she felt as though they were strangers.
    I'd better go pick up the girls, he said, and then pacified her with, I'll call you tonight.
    I'll be at the Golden Globes, she reminded him gently.
    That's right. I forgot, he said, and the way he said it made her want to hit him. I'll call you tomorrow morning.
    Thanks. And then, hating herself for it, she added, I'm sorry you won't be there.
    You'll have fun anyway. I guess Alan Carr is a better date for that kind of thing than I am. At least he knows who he's talking to. I don't. Just make sure he behaves, and tell him you're my girl, Allie. No funny stuff, he said, and she smiled, faintly mollified again. He meant well, and he loved her, he just didn't get how important the awards ceremonies were to her. They were her life, they were important to her family, and to her business.
    I'll miss you. And just for the record, I'd rather be going with you than Alan.
    I'll try to make it next year, baby, I promise. He even sounded as though he meant it.
    All right, she said, wishing he were there in bed with her. At least that was one area where she never felt the differences, but only the similarities, between them. Sexually, they got on extremely well. And eventually, the rest would probably smooth out too. Divorces were never easy. Have a nice time with the girls, sweetheart. And tell them I miss them.
    I will. Talk to you tomorrow. I'll look for you on the news tonight. But she laughed at him. She'd be the last person he'd see. She wasn't a nominee, or a