Wish Upon a Wedding (12 page)

“You're way too far over there on that side of the table.” He leaned closer, bumping against her knee. “I need to get closer to you.”

“Perhaps we should get a doggie bag.”

“Doggie bag? Who says that?”

Sophia laughed. “To-go box. My nan used to say that when we'd had leftovers from a restaurant. It just popped into my head. What can I say? I'm nervous.”

“Nan?”

“Grandma. An English term, I think.”

“Ah . . . so you're nervous?”

“In a good way.”

“I get what you're saying. Me too.” Avery motioned for Chad. “Can we have a doggie bag?”

“A what?” Chad asked.

Sophia's shoulders started to shake a little and she gave his knee a bump beneath the table.

Avery pointed to the food. “Leftovers for my dog.”

“You feed your dog salad and calzone?” Chad looked a bit horrified. “Dude, that's not cool,” he said with a serious expression. “That kind of diet will cause, like, really bad stuff. My dog got into my pizza box last weekend and . . . dude, you seriously don't want to know. The cheese—”

“Chad, I was just kidding.”

“Oh,” Chad seemed a little ticked, but then shrugged. “Whatever, dude.”

“Ha! I can't believe you did that,” Sophia said and started laughing.

“I want to do crazy things when I'm with you.”

“Is that a promise?” she asked and her blush deepened.

“It is,” Avery replied. “I like being with you, Sophia. No drama. Silly fun.”

“About to get even more fun?” she asked and laughed while fanning her face.

“Yeah,” he said as he tucked his debit card into the folder. “You know, you're just this quiet little thing and then you come out with those one-liners that just slay me.”

“It's from being around my British mother. She has a dry and sometimes wacky sense of humor. Not everyone gets me. I'm glad you do.” She grinned. “I have a line for that but I'll keep it to myself.”

Avery laughed. When they were outside on the sidewalk it occurred to Avery that he hadn't given a thought to if Ashley was still in the pizza parlor or if she'd noticed him holding Sophia's hand.

What had begun for show was becoming very real.

“Oh, we forgot the doggie bag,” Sophia said. “I'll go get it.”

“No, have a seat on that bench over there. I'll run back in.”

“Okay, thanks.” She smiled and sat down.

Avery hurried back inside and made a beeline for the booth that they had been sitting in. Thankfully, the white plastic bag with the leftovers was sitting there and he picked it up. But as he turned to go he looked across the room and caught Ashley staring at him. She appeared stricken and tilted her head as if trying to figure out if she should approach him or continue with her meeting. She pressed her lips together as if trying to suppress emotion and lifted her chin as if to tell him that she hadn't given up just yet.

Avery turned around. He felt a little bit of sadness wash over him. He'd loved Ashley Montgomery for a very long time and it has been so damned hard to let that feeling go. But she no longer had that power over him. Sophia had filled the empty void with kindness
and laughter. Being with Sophia felt real and so . . .
right
. He'd been fighting his feelings for her,
hiding
his feelings for her, and now it was high time that he put his broken engagement to rest for good and to move on with his life. Today felt like closure; the end of the end. Avery liked that feeling. Yes! He did an internal fist pump.

Avery walked outside into the cool breeze and warm, cheerful sunshine. Sophia. She sat on the bench looking at the view of the river as if deep in thought. Avery paused and watched her for a moment. The breeze ruffled her hair and she tilted her face upward as if enjoying the warmth of the sunshine. What was going through her mind? Avery wanted to know what she was thinking. He wanted to know everything about her.

When he approached, Sophia gazed up at him and smiled. Avery lifted the bag up higher. “Got it.”

“Nice.” She stood up. “The doggie bag retrieval was a success.”

“Yep,” he said. “So, can I take you for a ride?”

She raised her eyebrows.

“Wait, that didn't come out right.”

Sophia fell into step with him. “Why? I was about to say yes.”

Avery laughed. “You never fail to surprise me.”

“Just keeping you on your toes. I know what it's like being on my toes. Short-girl problems again.”

Avery laughed again. “I don't see any problem with you being short.”

“Fun-sized?”

“Perfect-sized,” Avery said, thinking he wanted to have all kinds of fun with her. When they reached his truck, which was parked outside of her salon, he stopped and asked, “I know you're busy but would you like to go for a ride along the river and maybe stop and have a picnic with our leftovers? Maybe pick up some dessert somewhere afterward?”

She glanced over at her shop. “I think I can manage an afternoon of playing hooky.”

“Don't look so guilty. You're the boss, remember?”

She raised a fist in the air. “Yeah! And I'm gonna play hooky
like a boss
.”

“Sweet. I'm on call but, as of yet, I don't have any repairs this afternoon,” he said, but no sooner did that come out of his mouth that his leg vibrated. He reached into his pocket and fished out his phone. “Well, I spoke too soon. My uncle needs help repairing a deck.”

“Oh.” Sophia pointed at her cheek.

“What?”

“This is my crestfallen face.” She stuck out her bottom lip.

Avery laughed. “Can I come in for just a minute?” He might not be able to spend the day with her but he sure as hell was going to get the kiss he'd been dreaming about.

“Sure.” Sophia unlocked the door and he followed her inside.

Avery put the bag down and tugged her into his arms. Dipping his head, he kissed her. The touch of his mouth to hers sent a jolt of heat through his veins. He pulled her even closer, kissed her deeper, tangling his tongue with hers. She came up on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck and he found the gesture both sweet and sexy, a heady combination that was simply Sophia.

Avery wanted to touch her, taste her, and be buried deep inside her. God, he wanted her naked in his arms. But he also felt tenderness for Sophia that went way beyond desire. When he ended the kiss, he tilted her chin up and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You do need a step stool,” he said and cupped her cute ass and lifted her up. “Or I could just do this.”

“Avery!” She gave him a little squeal and wrapped her legs around him.

He kissed her again thinking that maybe he would just put off doing the repair job, but when his phone pinged he pulled back and groaned. Resting his forehead against hers he said, “Please tell me you'll see me tonight.”

“I'll see you tonight. Come by my place around seven and I'll cook dinner.”

“You don't have to cook for me.”

“I know.” She put her palms on his cheeks. “I want to cook for you. Anything special you want?”

“You. You're special.”

“No, to eat, silly,” she said and giggled.

“Surprise me.” He let her slowly slide down his body. “Ah wow, it's going to be a really long day.”

“Tell me about it.” She arched an eyebrow. “We'll have to make up for it with a really long night,” she said, and then slapped her hands to her cheeks. “Did I . . .”

“Say that out loud?”

She gave him a fake wince and burst out laughing.

Avery hugged her close. “Don't worry. You were reading my mind this time,” Avery said in Sophia's ear, and then gave her one last lingering kiss. “I'll call you later,” he said and turned away before he was unable to leave.

But when the cool outdoor air hit him in the face, Avery felt a bit of doubt wiggle into his brain. He blew out a breath and hopped up into the driver's seat. Avery liked his life to be uncomplicated. And the very last thing he wanted to do was to put Sophia in the line of fire.

Dragging her into this wedding mess might have been unfair. No, it was definitely unfair.

Now he had to decide what he was going to do about it.

Rock the Boat

E
aston hammered a nail into the wooden deck he and Avery were repairing. Pausing, he braced on one knee and looked over at his nephew. “I'm takin' Carrie Ann on a vacation.”

“What?” Avery looked up and grinned at him. “Really? That's awesome, Uncle Easton.”

“Yep. Pete Sully hooked me up with a travel agent.”

“Where to?”

“I dunno yet. Bahamas, maybe? Somewhere in the Caribbean? We gotta get passports first so I'm thinking 'bout going sometime in the summer.”

“So, did you ask her already?” Avery reached for a bottle of water and took a long guzzle. The late-afternoon sunshine warmed the day up nicely.

“Not yet. I hope she will agree to go. She works hard and deserves a little vacation.” Easton pictured them sitting on the deck sipping on some umbrella drink and smiled.

“And you're just the guy for the job?” Avery leaned over and gave him a nudge with his elbow.

“Yeah, it's a tough job but somebody's gotta do it. Might as well be me.”

“Somebody? From the way things have been shaping up, I think you want to be the only man in Carrie Ann's life.”

“Yeah . . .” Easton picked up his nail gun and examined it before looking back at Avery. “You're right.”

“I mean, the only trips you've been on involved hunting, fishing, golfing, or boating. A cruise? Pretty out of character, wouldn't ya say?”

“It's about time I got out of my rut.”

“Uncle Easton, you're one of the most active people I know. I'd hardly say that you're in a rut.”

“Well, now.” Easton tilted his head to the side. “You're right in a way. I do a lot of stuff but it's the same old stuff week in and week out. It's time for me to change things up and get excited about goin' places and doin' new things. I suddenly want to go on cruises. I've looked into traveling to Hawaii.” He shook his head. “Drive up the coast of California. Hell, maybe even Europe. Who knows?”

“I think that your growing feelings for Carrie Ann has a lot to do with your change of attitude, Uncle Easton. I'm really glad for both of you. Having someone to do stuff with makes all the difference in the world. And you're trying to do activities she would enjoy. That says a lot too. It's not just things you want to do but experiences you want to share with her. Walking hand in hand down the streets of Paris or taking a cruise becomes much more important and enjoyable if you're doing it with someone you love.”

“I'm finally realizing that, Avery. I avoided a serious relationship based on my parents' rocky marriage. Dumbass reason.”

“We're all a product of our past. Don't beat yourself up.”

“Kinda hard not to sometimes. But you're right.
What good does it do to worry about the past? Can't change a damned thing.”

“Well, you've dated. Maybe the right person just didn't come along until now.”

“You're right again, well sort of, anyway. I've had my share of lady friends. I mean I'm only human. But although Carrie Ann and I have been friends for a very long time, we avoided any kind of romance. I think I knew all along that she could be, as they say,
the one
and that's what scared me out of gettin' closer to her. Now look at all of the years I've lost not having her in my arms. I was a damned fool.”

“You're hardly ancient.” Avery gave Easton's bent knee a shove. “You've got a lot of years left to live. You're in great shape.”

“Excellent way of lookin' at it.” Easton grinned. “You're a smart man, Avery.” He felt a little bit of emotion well up in his throat. “And a good man. Level head on your shoulders,” he said gruffly.

“You've been a good role model, Uncle Easton. And you made me view my relationship with my dad in a different light. I wish I'd known sooner that he wanted to be around. I should have guessed but I was too busy being a teenager, gettin' pissed when he wasn't there for a baseball game. In truth, you were right. He was out busting his ass to put food on the table. I should have been more grateful and less critical.”

“A wise man just told me that there's a lot of life left to live. Tommy's semiretired now. Like I said, give him a holler and take your old man fishing or somethin'.”

“You're right.” Avery nodded. “I'll do that.”

“Good.”

“Should we get back to work?”

“Ya know what?” Easton surveyed the deck. “I think we can button it up and finish tomorrow. I'd estimated three days for the job so we're good. Went pretty fast after you got here. I was lucky you were
free.” He stood up and started packing up his tools. “So whatcha doin' tonight?”

“Hanging out with Sophia at her place.”

“Hanging out, huh? Is that what they call it these days?”

“Uncle Easton . . .”

“Just bustin' your chops.”

“She's fixing me dinner.”

“Ya don't say.” Easton nodded slowly. “Not going out on the town for show and tell? Well now.”

Avery snapped his toolbox shut and leaned against the railing. “This thing between us is getting kinda real.”

“Kinda?”

Avery looked down at his boots, and then rocked back on his heels. “No, it
is
real. At least for me, anyway.”

“Has been for a while, I'd say. You're another one who was in denial.”

“Yeah, but get this. When we were at River Row Pizza grabbin' some lunch earlier today Ashley walked in.”

“Holy moly.” Easton stopped gathering up nails and raised his eyebrows at Avery. “How'd that go?”

“Awkward.”

“I can only imagine. When were you gonna drop this little bombshell on me?”

“I dunno. Over a beer, maybe? I've got a few things I want to tell you about it. Wanna grab a cold one at Sully's since we're cuttin' out early?”

“Are you kiddin'? I've got to hear all about this. I'll meet you there in a few minutes.”

“Sounds good.” Avery nodded and picked up his toolbox.

“I'm gonna give Carrie Ann a quick call and then meet you there. Order me whatever's on tap from Broomstick Brewery, the darker the better.”

“Will do.”

After Avery left, Easton packed up his truck, but then paused to call Carrie Ann. He wasn't much into
texting unless he had to. He couldn't quite understand why people typed a bunch of stuff when it was so much easier to just dial a number and talk. He leaned against the side of his panel truck and scrolled down to her number. Just seeing Carrie Ann's name made him smile.

“Hey, you,” Carrie Ann said, making Easton wonder how just hearing her voice could get him aroused. “What's up, cutie pie?”

Me, he thought with a shake of his head. “God, I love the sound of your voice.”

“So you called just to hear me chatter in your ear?” She chuckled. “You know how to flatter a girl.”

“That's not all I know how to do.”

“Well, now, did you call to get me all hot and bothered?”

“Not exactly, but am I?”

“Uh . . . yeah,” she said, drawing out the words.

Easton looked up at the clear blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds and smiled. “Well, good.”

“So get your sweet cheeks on over here. Or do you want me at that amazing cabin of yours?”

“Babe, I want you anywhere I can get you.”

“Translating to . . . anywhere not in public.”

“You are getting me all fired up, girl.”

Carrie Ann laughed and he could see her with her head tilted back and shoulders shaking. “So, what time and where? I just finished up with my last client.”

“Well, I'm going to stop over at Sully's and have a beer with Avery. Apparently Ashley showed up at River Row Pizza while Avery was having lunch with Sophia.”

“Oh boy . . .”

“Yeah, I know I'm bein' a busybody but I want to know what went down. Avery seemed . . . I don't know, not upset but needing to tell me something.”

“You're not being a busybody. He's lucky to have you to talk to, Easton.”

“Thank you.” Easton smiled at how easy it was to
talk to Carrie Ann about personal things. In fact, she was the first person he wanted to call when he needed to talk or had some news. “That boy has been good for me too. Hard for me to believe sometimes that Avery and Zoe are all grown up. And now Zoe's gettin' married.” He shook his head. “Where's the time gone?”

“Oh, I know. I remember when they were both knee-high to a grasshopper.” She chuckled. “First time I cut Avery's hair you would have thought I was trying to cut his ears off or something. Cried his fool head off. His nose running like a faucet.”

Easton laughed, picturing the sight.

“I sure hated to cut all of that beautiful curly hair of his but he was starting to look like a girl. When I told him that people were going to think he was Zoe's big sister he finally settled down.”

“I can just see him doin' that. But anyway, sugar, there's a key to my cabin tucked beneath a fat rock to the left of the front porch. I've got a couple of thick rib-eye steaks to toss on the grill later. Why don't you head on up there and take a nice soak in the hot tub and I'll meet you there after I talk with Avery?”

“Sounds like a nice relaxing night.”

“We'll eat dinner by the fireplace, listen to some music . . . and take it from there.”

“Mmmm, this is getting better all the time. I'll toss a salad and bring some russet potatoes. Do you need a bottle of Merlot to go with the steaks?”

“Gotcha covered.”

“Perfect.” Easton's heart pounded a little bit at what he was about to say. He swallowed and said, “Oh, and, Carrie Ann?” he asked, hoping his voice sounded somewhat normal.

“Yes, sweet pea?”

“Keep the key. I want you to have it and bring any clothes you want to leave at my place too. You know, in case you want to spend weekends there . . . or nights, for that matter.”

“Oh . . .” she said, making Easton wonder if that was a good reaction or not.

Feeling a bit nervous at her silence he continued. “I know a lot of folks around here don't bother to lock up but some teenagers had a party at my place while I was out of town. Didn't do much damage other than depleting my liquor supply but still . . . Ever since then I've locked up the cabin.”

“Oh, makes perfect sense.”

“Locking the cabin or you having a key?” Easton squeezed the phone tighter waiting for her answer. He knew that for a lot of people this was expected after dating for a few weeks and because they'd known each other for so long this should be a natural and quicker progression. But he'd never given a woman a key to his place. Ever. And he sure as hell didn't ever tell anyone he dated to bring clothes to his place to put in the closet with an open invitation to stay over. “You know if you want to. I just think it would be convenient for you,” he added, and then shook his head knowing he was saying too much.

“Yes, it would be convenient.”

Oh damn, well, he really sucked at this. “Stupid way to word it.” He inhaled a deep breath and continued thinking he might as well go for broke. “Carrie Ann, what I'm trying to say is that I want you to have things at my place so you can stay there whenever you want to and for as long as you want to. It will make me smile to see your clothes there and have your makeup and all of that stuff you put in your hair in the bathroom. Have the lingering smell of your perfume in my home. I want you to have a key so you can come and go as you please. With the emphasis on
come
 . . . and not the
go
.”

“I . . .” she began, but then paused.

“Hey,” Easton said gently. “No pressure. It's just a key, baby.” Even though they both knew it was much more than that. It was no secret that Carrie Ann shied away from commitment, just as he did, but he wanted
to put the offer out there. He knew he needed to take baby steps with her. Easton understood. This scared the daylights out of him too, but living without her scared him even more. “We'll talk about it later but be sure to let yourself in if you get there before I do.”

“Okay, I'll see you soon,” Carrie Ann said, but the lightness in her voice sounded a bit forced. And she'd left off an endearment or funny remark.

“All right, bye for now, sugar,” Easton said and tapped the red
END CALL
button with a bit of a heavy heart. He stood there for a moment, and then pushed away from the truck.

“Should have left well enough alone,” Easton muttered as he opened the door and hopped up into the driver's seat. Blowing out a frustrated sigh, he turned the key in the ignition. This is the damned reason he'd stayed the hell away from commitment, he thought as he put the truck in reverse.

In truth, like Avery mentioned, Easton had always been a social guy, but when it came to his cabin he remained fairly private, inviting only close friends and family into his home. Avery's buddies used to stay the weekend now and then but, for the most part, his home was off-limits. To offer Carrie Ann a key and closet space had been a big deal for him even though he'd told her there wasn't any pressure . . . and there wasn't.

And yet, all of the sudden, he felt a big blast of hurt hit him in the face like an arctic wind. Common sense said that he had no right to be angry with Carrie Ann. She'd done nothing wrong. They'd both been hesitant for their own reasons.

Having grown up around constant conflict, Easton tried his best to remain levelheaded and not to lose his cool even in the worst of situations. And now here he was feeling angry and hurt and for no good reason. Being in love and in a relationship did that to a person . . . Made them unreasonable in reasonable situations, which was precisely what he was doing.