Wish Upon a Wedding (10 page)

“Good,” he said with a hint of humor remaining in his voice. He relaxed his grip, and then gently turned
her around. “So . . .” he began but his smile faltered. “Whoa, wait, Sophia. Were you crying?”

“I, uh . . .” She shrugged feeling foolish. “Why do you ask?” Dear God, she hoped her emotions weren't that transparent.

“Your mascara is smudged.”

“Oh.” Great. She went for a grin that didn't quite make it to her face. “It was the Tide fumes getting in my eyes.”

“A likely story.” Avery shook his head and then reached over and gently wiped the smudge away with his thumb. His expression turned serious. “How long were you trapped in there, anyway? Are you sure you're okay?”

“Seemed like a lifetime, but I think about ten minutes, tops. Had I kept my wits about me I'm sure I could have gotten out, but for some reason I decided to have a bit of a meltdown. I should have gotten the front loader but this model was a bit cheaper.”

“Sophia . . .” He pulled her into his arms and gave her a hug. “I'm sorry that I laughed. I didn't realize you were scared.”

Oh wow, he felt so strong and so steady. Her mother had taught her to be strong and independent but . . . oh this felt so very nice. And he smelled delicious, like sunshine and spice and she could feel the steady beat of his heart against her cheek. Her own heartbeat wasn't quite so steady. “Truthfully, I was actually more pissed at myself than scared. Being short really sucks sometimes. Earlier, I tried to get a bottle of cleaner down from the top shelf and . . .” She winced, trying to distract him from her silly tears.

“And?”

“Let's just say it wasn't a good idea to stand up on a chair with wheels. I did a little half spin and went zinging across the tile floor.”

Avery chuckled. “I'm sorry, but you're so damned cute.”

Sophia smiled but she felt a touch of disappointment. She was used to being called cute and she knew that Avery meant it as a compliment, but for once she wanted to be sultry and gorgeous instead of perky and cute. Her mother and Grace floated through life on those long legs of theirs being sexy without even trying. Well, granted, Grace was a bit clumsy at times but she looked the part.

“You need a step stool. I'll get you one.”

“Thank you,” she said, wishing she could think of a step stool as something more romantic. “That's thoughtful of you, Avery.”

He gave her shoulders a squeeze and then stepped back.

“If you don't mind I need a quick trip to the ladies' room.”

“No, not at all.”

Sophia gave him a bit of a shaky smile and ducked into the bathroom. After relieving her full bladder, she washed her hands, and then dared to look into the mirror. “Dear God.” Her mascara was smudged and her hair was a tragedy. She used a paper towel to wipe away the dark smudges and tried to smooth her hair down as best she could.

“Get it together,” she said and inhaled a deep breath. After blowing her nose she decided not to look in the mirror again and opened the door.

“There you are. I was getting worried. Are you okay now?”

Sophia nodded. “Just a little stress of getting the salon ready. I let things get to me sometimes.” She gave him a smile. “So what brings you around?” She tried to sound casual but the sight of him in that snug, long-sleeved T-shirt and those work boots really made her heart thud.

“Other than rescuing you from an evil washing machine?”

“You're not going to let me live that down, are you?”

“Not for a while, at least.” He flashed her that killer crooked grin of his, but then tucked a fingertip beneath her chin. “But why the tears, Sophia? Is there something you want to talk about?”

“No.” She waved a dismissive hand but was hit with an unexpected wave of emotion. “I think it's just all of the preparation for the open house party. I mean, we were lucky that this shop was pretty much set up for a salon to begin with. But still, there's so much to do. My mood swings from being super excited to absolute panic without warning.”

“So you're warning me . . .”

Closing her eyes, she nodded.

“It will all fall into place.”

She inhaled another deep breath and let it out. “Oh, I know. I'm just a worrier by nature. And Grace is such a marketing genius. Too good, actually. No wonder she drove Mason crazy with the opening of the brewery. And as if she doesn't have enough to do she's thinking of a line of cosmetics targeting the brides. An excellent idea, but come on! That girl just doesn't stop.”

“Well, speaking of stopping. The reason for my visit was to ask you if you wanted to take a break from all of this and grab some lunch? Maybe something from River Row Pizza? I'm craving a calzone.”

“Oh, sounds good.” Sophia thought of her bum that had been sticking up in the air and told herself to order a salad and skip the amazing bread and herbed oil. And not to cave in to the oh-so-tempting dessert tray, not even if they had Italian Cream Cake. She could do that, right?

“So, you'd like to join me?”

“Yes, thanks. Just let me grab my purse and sweater,” she said, wondering if this visit was spontaneous or was this planned to make a show of them out together?

“Let me,” Avery picked up her red sweater from
where she'd draped it over a chair. When her hair got caught beneath the wide collar he reached in and lifted it from her neck. His fingers brushed against her skin making her feel warm and tingly.

Sophia longed to lean against him once more but she stepped away and picked up her purse. “Ready?” she asked briskly.

Avery looked at her for a couple of seconds, as if he was about to say something, but then merely nodded. Something in the air suddenly felt . . . odd. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Not odd in a bad way, really, but he seemed to be holding something back.

“Hungry?” Sophia asked as they walked out the door. “Silly question, I guess,” she added while turning the key in the lock.

“Yeah, I'm really hungry. You?”

“Yes.” Sophia nodded. “My appetite is always at war with my metabolism. It's actually not too bad of a walk from the high-rise where I live. This hill is a bit of a trek but I'm going to start hoofing it here once the weather warms up a bit more. Although, I was certainly used to walking in all kinds of weather while I lived in New York City.”

“Do you miss it?”

“The walking?”

“Living in a big city.”

“Sometimes.” The cool breeze hit her warm cheeks and she smiled up at him. One of the many things she liked about Avery was that he didn't make mindless small talk. When he asked a question, he was sincerely interested. “But I really like Cricket Creek. And being in the same town as my family sure is wonderful. And little Lily is growing like a weed! I don't want to miss one minute of her childhood.”

“Family is important.” Avery smiled back and took her hand, making her wonder if the gesture was for show or if he wanted to hold her hand. “I know that you first arrived in the summer but spring is my
favorite season. Cricket Creek is really pretty when the buds bloom on the crabapple trees.”

“I can imagine.”

“Well, you won't have to imagine now that you live here.” He smiled again making Sophia feel warm in spite of the cool breeze.

When they reached the entrance of River Row Pizza, Avery stepped forward and opened the door for her. The aroma of all things delicious wafted her way, making Sophia doubt she had the willpower to order a salad. Probably not.

Although the restaurant was fairly full, the hostess walked them over to a booth across from the bar and handed them menus. “Your server will be with you shortly. Enjoy your meal.”

Sophia stuck to her guns and ordered a chef salad with dressing on the side. She was feeling pretty good about her decision until Avery's calzone arrived. Shaped like a half moon with golden brown crust, the oven-baked calzone smelled as delicious as it looked.

Avery took a bite, and then moaned. “Tony Marino makes the best calzones I've ever eaten. Have you ever had one here?”

“No,” she looked at her salad and stuck a fork in a cucumber without much enthusiasm.

“Would you like a bite?”

“Thanks, but I'll stick with my salad.”

Avery arched one eyebrow and put a steaming bite of calzone near her mouth. “You sure?”

“Oh, okay, you've twisted my arm.” Sophia could resist the calzone but she couldn't resist Avery feeding her. She closed her eyes as she chewed the bite of heaven in her mouth.

“Good, huh?”

Sophia nodded. “Oh yes,” she admitted, and then scrunched her nose at her salad. “Want to trade?”

Avery laughed. “Why didn't you order something more?”

“I'm trying to eat healthy. I had a granola bar this morning that tasted like cardboard but I felt proud of myself.”

“Well, how about we share? I'll eat some salad and you eat some of my calzone.”

“I like the way you think,” Sophia said.

“I like the way you think and the way you look,” Avery said with a slow smile that did funny things to her tummy. “In fact, I like everything about you.” He reached across the table and put his hand over hers and squeezed.

“Do you, now?” Sophia's pulse quickened and she looked at him, trying to decide whether he was serious or if this was part of the pretend thing they had going on.

“I do,” he said, and it appeared as if he was about to say something more but his eyes suddenly widened and he put his fork down.

“Avery? Is something wrong?”

He swallowed hard. “Ashley just walked in.”

“Oh.” Sophia tried to read his expression. “Did she see you?”

“Yeah, I think so. She did one of those quick look-away things that people do.” He shrugged but also appeared uncomfortable. His hand that had been covering hers slipped away, which made Sophia have an odd hollow pang replace her earlier joy.

Sophia leaned forward and whispered, “Is she coming this way?” It occurred to her that she didn't know what Ashley looked like and she wanted so very badly to turn around but didn't want to be that obvious.

“I don't think so,” he said but seemed uncertain. He stared down at his food as if he no longer wanted it and Sophia understood. Ashley showing up was a total buzzkill. She would give anything to know what was going on in his head. “But if she does—”

“I know. Be all lovey-dovey,” Sophia said and smiled.
It was a fake smile but she thought she pulled it off. “I will stay in girlfriend character.”

“About that, Sophia, I—” Avery began, but he groaned. “I was wrong. I think she's coming our way.”

“Oh . . .” Sophia had dealt with a lot of touchy situations as a hair stylist, so she wasn't timid when it came to dealing with people, especially women. But this particular situation was a first. She knew at some point their paths were bound to cross, but she'd hoped that she would have been forewarned and not have this sort of chance meeting, especially when she and Avery had been having such a lovely lunch. But perhaps this was her little reminder that this relationship was for show.

Sophia signed inwardly. Not being in love when everyone else seemed to be in a relationship
sucked
—but unrequited love was so much worse. She was beginning to wish that she'd never agreed to this farce. But Sophia put a big smile on her face and hoped she could pull this off because she suddenly felt the silly urge to cry. Or bolt. Or worse, bolt while crying.

First there was the washing machine fiasco and now this.

Could the day get any worse?

Sophia watched a tall dark-haired woman weave her way past tables and chairs, pausing a few times to greet people. Some of the diners started glancing their way and it occurred to Sophia that this was exactly the kind of fodder that fueled small-town gossip.

Ashley wore a basic dark blue business suit that should have looked dowdy but she pulled it off with a touch of long-legged elegance. Sophia tried to remember if Avery had divulged what Ashley did for a living but came up empty.

Tall, willowy, with long flowing hair the color of midnight, Ashley was gorgeous. She just looked so . . . womanly, making Sophia feel like a teenager dressed in her sweater and blue jeans. And after the washing
machine fail she knew she didn't look her best. Isn't that the way life happens? Go to the grocery store without makeup and you see everyone you know.

“Well, hello there, Avery.” Ashley greeted him with a slow Southern drawl that made her words sound as if they were double-dipped in honey. “It's nice to see you.” She gave him a wide smile revealing a set of perfect white teeth.

“Hello, Ashley,” Avery said, and Sophia was secretly glad he left out the it's-nice-to-see-you-too part. Ever the gentleman, he stood up and there was a pause before what appeared to be an awkward, barely touching each other hug. But still, it was a hug. Avery gestured toward Sophia.

“I'd like you to meet . . . Sophia Gordon,” he said. Sophia wondered if his slight hesitation was because he couldn't quite refer to her as his girlfriend. Did he not want to upset Ashley? It bothered Sophia, even though it shouldn't, because she really wasn't his girlfriend. Still . . .

Ashley turned her toothpaste commercial smile on Sophia. “Well, hello, Sophia.” She extended her hand and gave Sophia a limp noodle handshake that Sophia returned with a firm grip the way a handshake is supposed to be. “I heard that you're a hair stylist. Zoe said she's going to you about doing her hair for the wedding. I guess, you know, she wanted to help you out. We're all so excited about the wedding, aren't
we
Avery? So many plans and activities! Just makes my little ole head spin.”

Like in
The Exorcist
? Sophia shook that thought but almost giggled.