Wish Upon a Wedding (5 page)

Avery had spent many a day up here with his friends, playing with paint guns, four-wheeling, and shooting hoops. But lately the basketball hoop stood there silently wishing for players and he couldn't remember the last time he'd taken anyone out on the four-wheelers.

Easton hopped out of his truck and hurried over to open Carrie Ann's door. He offered his hand as she unfolded her long legs from her sexy sports car. “Welcome,” he said as she looked around.

“Mercy, Easton, but I think you're living on the highest point in Cricket Creek, Kentucky.”

“Could be.”

“I bet it's a real pretty view in the daylight.”

“It is. Kind of out of the way but I love it up here.” It was on the tip of his tongue to say that he could arrange for that view in the morning, but he didn't want to push too quickly or have her think he'd brought her up here simply for a roll in the hay. Though, he wasn't sure how long he could hold off before going in for a kiss, but he was sure as hell going to try for a few minutes.

“That's one big garage.”

“Full of all my adult toys . . . Wait, that didn't sound right.”

Carrie Ann laughed. “I'm guessing you're referring to WaveRunners and four-wheelers.”

“I am. And a bass boat . . . and a dirt bike.”

“Is there actually a car in there?”

“Nope, but I've been thinking I might want a convertible.” He pointed to her Mustang. “You ever put your top down?”

“Only for special people.”

Easton laughed. “We're still talkin' about your ragtop, right?”

“Yeah.”

Easton laughed again. “Well, I hope I'm one of the special people.” He realized he was still holding her hand and led her over to the wraparound porch. “The view from the back deck is really spectacular no matter what time of day.”

“I bet it is,” she said as they ascended the steps. After opening the front door he flipped on the lights and then stepped back for her to enter. She gasped. “Mercy.” She turned to look at Easton in surprise.

“I'm guessing you were expecting a sparse bachelor pad?”

“I suppose so . . .” She looked up at the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace that dominated the great room. “Well, I'd heard that you have a nice place, but nice doesn't begin to describe your home, Easton. Your cabin is spectacular.”

Easton felt a measure of pride. “It's taken me a few years to get it just the way I wanted.” He grinned. “When I had to close the hardware store in town I decided that I wanted to move up here. I'm pretty handy with a hammer.”

Carrie Ann gave a low whistle as she walked slowly around the room. “I'll say.”

“Thanks.” He walked over and helped her out of her coat. The light floral scent of her perfume filled his head and he took longer than needed to do the simple task. He wanted to brush her hair to the side, put his
mouth on the graceful nape of her neck and taste her skin, but he walked over to the closet and hung her coat next to his instead. He wanted to kiss her more than he wanted to breathe but he told himself to take it slow. “Would you like the fifty-cent tour?”

She nodded. “Yes, please.”

“How about a drink first? I have beer, wine, or bourbon. Maybe some rum. Sweet tea? Or water.”

“I'll take a water.”

“Really?” He was picturing cocktails by the fireplace and mood music. Bottled water ruined that image.

“No . . .” Her laughter seemed to light up the room. “This place is so pretty I think I need to walk around with a long-stemmed wineglass.”

“Red or white?” He pointed to a wine rack to the left of a bar in the far corner of the room.

“You continue to surprise me. I usually drink Merlot because red wine is better for you. But I'm in the mood for Chardonnay, if you have it.”

“I have a bottle chilling in the fridge.”

“Do you drink wine?” she asked casually, but he had to wonder if she speculated that the wine was for female visitors.

“I enjoy a glass of Merlot now and then when I'm grilling steaks. My sister Carla likes Chardonnay, and so does Zoe, so I keep it on hand.”

“It's nice that you're all close.”

“Family is important. How's your mama doin'?”

“Mama loves the warm weather in Naples, Florida. She's got a whole slew of friends. I talk to her most every day. Her social life is way fuller than mine, let me tell you.”

“Good, good. Haven't seen your sisters, Ava or Ella, in a while. How they doin'? Still in Lexington?”

“Both still happily married and really busy bein' soccer moms. I go up to watch the kids play but I don't get all of the rules. The offsides thing still has me baffled.” She smiled but then a shadow passed over her features
making Easton want to pull her in for a hug closely followed by a kiss. She must miss all of them dearly. “And I'm the crazy aunt that every niece and nephew needs. The one who brings a puppy for Christmas.”

“You did that?”

“Naw.” Carrie Ann laughed. “Just gerbils, but you would have thought I brought man-eating monsters into the house. I was banned from giving pets for presents.”

Easton tossed his head back and laughed.

“Yeah, party poopers! Just little old gerbils, I mean come on. But I really miss them. I should go for a visit soon,” she said. Easton sensed that there was more to it than she was letting on.

“We tend to hibernate in the winter. I'm sure you'll get to see them before too long. Or better yet, head south to see your mom. Put your toes in the sand.” He understood. His parents finally split up for good right after Carla graduated from high school, but he still understood the value of family. He had close friends. He was financially secure. But something seemed missing lately.

“Oh, I bet Carla is having fun planning Zoe's wedding,” she said a little bit too brightly.

“Yeah, she is,” Easton answered, making a note to ask Carrie Ann to go with him. But he had to lead up to that one so he smiled. “Come on, wait until you see my kitchen.” When he held out his hand she took it. He led her through an arched doorway and flipped on the recessed lighting to a state-of-the-art kitchen. He stepped away from her so he could get her full reaction. “Well? What do you think?”

Does this kitchen make you want to kiss me?

“Oh . . . wow.” She stepped forward and ran her fingers over the shiny black granite center island. The warm cherry cabinets offset the sleek stainless steel appliances but his pride and joy was a six-burner gas stove that he'd recently installed. “Are you going to have the nerve to tell me that you're a good cook?”

Easton nodded slowly. “Let's just say I can do way more than scramble eggs and flip burgers.”

“Where have you been all my life?” Carrie Ann asked with a grin.

“Maybe I'm the best-kept secret in Cricket Creek,” he boasted, and then laughed.

“Well, maybe we should keep it that way.” Carrie Ann stepped closer and gave him a playful tap on the chest.

Easton smiled, but then caught her hand before she could pull it away. “Ah, Carrie Ann?” He gave the back of her hand a light kiss. She looked at him expectantly but he just shook his head unable to put his feelings into words.

“I know,” Carrie Ann said for him. “I feel it too.”

“Yeah . . .” While the banter was light and flirty, Easton could feel something more bouncing around in the room. Admitting his attraction and asking her out on a date was one thing . . . well, two things, but bringing Carrie Ann to his home wasn't something he took lightly. But they both knew that this evening was about to alter their longtime friendship. He could see it in her eyes.

“Are you having second thoughts about bringing me up here?” When she frowned ever so slightly, he pulled her closer.

“Hell no,” Easton said and meant it. Unable to wait any longer he dipped his head and kissed her.

When his lips captured hers, Easton felt a hot jolt of passion that felt like putting a match to kindling wood. He pulled her lush body flush against his and tipped her head back so he could kiss her deeply, fully. God, he loved how she tasted, sweet, sensual, and so damned sexy. When he lifted her up and placed her onto the island she wrapped her long legs around him and in that moment he knew that the days of them just being friends were one hundred percent over.

And it was about damned time.

Easton's heart thudded harder when she threaded her fingers through his hair. When he finally pulled his mouth from hers, he started a trail of kisses down her neck pausing to lick the rapid beat of her pulse. When he cupped her breast, he heard her breath catch and he got as hard as the damned granite counter.

“Easton Fisher, you are driving me wild.”

“Mmmm, wild thing.” He ran his thumb over her nipple.

“Now that song is playing in my head,” she said with a low sexy laugh. “‘You make my heart sing . . .'” she sang, but then gasped when he sucked her earlobe into his mouth and nibbled. “Mercy . . .” She arched her back offering him more and he gladly accepted. Easton wanted her . . . no he
needed
her in his arms, in his bed, and in his life. But he didn't want her to think he'd brought her up here just to get her in bed and so he pulled back and looked into her eyes.

“Carrie Ann, I didn't bring you up here to have my way with you,” he said.

“Well, that's disappointing.” She ran her fingertip over his bottom lip. “Because you make everything groovy . . .” she sang.

Easton chuckled but said, “It's important to me that you know that.”

“No worries.” Carrie Ann put her palms to his cheeks. “Pour me that glass of wine and let's see where the rest of the night takes us.”

“I like that plan,” he said, and then leaned in and kissed her. But when he started to pull away Carrie Ann held him captive with her legs. His heart thudded.

“Easton?”

“Yeah,” he asked softly.

“Why don't we skip the glass of wine part,” she suggested in his ear, sending a hot flash of desire due south. “We've been dancing around this heat for way too long.”

“You're right, and I have to say that I like this plan even better,” Easton admitted, and then helped her from the kitchen island. “As always, I was hoping to run into you tonight. I think it's high time we stop pretending we're just friends.”

Carrie Ann smiled. “I'll just admit it. The slow dance and having you singing in my ear made me weak in the knees, Easton.”

Easton cupped her chin and rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. “Well, when Sam hit on you, I saw red. That kind of jealousy isn't something I'd feel about a mere friend. The thought of you in the arms of another man isn't something I could handle.”

“No need to worry because it's your arms I want around me.”

“That's what I want to hear. Come with me.” Taking her hand he led her to his bedroom.

“Oh my,” Carrie Ann said when they entered the large room made even more dramatic by slanted cathedral ceilings.

Easton dimmed the lights on the antler chandelier suspended from the ceiling. “You like it?”

“I am completely blown away.” She nodded her head as she looked around. A rustic Aspen log canopy bed was the centerpiece of the room. To the left was a sliding glass door leading out onto the back deck overlooking the woods. But she could see that later. Right now he wanted her naked and in his bed.

“I'll show you the rest of the house in the morning,” he said and pulled her into his arms. Clothes, shed with lightning speed, were tossed everywhere while they laughed and kissed, finally tumbling onto the bed. Easton slid his body up and over hers loving the silky feel of her skin. She was lush, curvy, and gorgeous with her red hair fanned out in contrast to the dark blue comforter.

“It's been a really long time for me,” she admitted a bit shyly.

“I do believe it's like riding a bike.”

“Well, that's good because I was really excellent at riding my bike. I could go for miles and miles. . . .”

“Ah, good to know.” Easton chuckled deep in his throat. “I hope you like riding me even more.” He explored her body with his hands and his tongue, loving her scent, her taste. When she wrapped those endless legs around him, he eased into her wet heat, thrusting deeply. She slid her hands up and down his back and then lightly raked his skin with her fingernails sending endless tingles down his spine. His heart hammered in his chest as he went faster.

Carrie Ann moved with him, clung to him, and when he dipped his head and captured a nipple in his mouth she became quite vocal with her moans and sighs of pleasure.

When she cupped his ass and pushed him even deeper, Easton felt his release coming. When she cried out, he let go, feeling the heady rush of an intense orgasm that left him shaking. He stayed buried to the hilt, loving the way she pulsed and throbbed and stayed wrapped around him like kudzu. He kissed her deeply, thoroughly wanting to stay buried inside her sweet body forever.

And in the morning he'd bring her breakfast in bed.

But for now they had the rest of the night, and Easton intended to savor each and every moment.

Highway to the Danger Zone

E
ager to get out of the cold, Sophia tugged open the door to River Row Pizza. The tantalizing scent of garlic, yeast, and marinara sauce nearly made her groan. Seriously, was there any cuisine in the world that smelled more enticing? But groaning would be embarrassing so she inhaled another delicious breath thinking that someone should create a River Row Pizza–scented candle. But then again the candle would make her crave pizza and pasta more that she already did, which was, well, a lot. And unlike her sister, Grace, Sophia failed to get the long legs and high metabolism gene from her mother.

Having White Lace and Promises located just around the corner was going to make the hand-tossed crust a tough temptation to resist. Not only did they serve amazing Italian dishes, but the owner, Reese Marino, made mouthwatering desserts including Italian wedding cake, which was hands down her all-time favorite. Mercy . . .

On tiptoe, Sophia glanced around for Avery but the packed dining room made it difficult to spot him.
Although she'd been told that the restaurant had been there for only a few years, checkered cloth tablecloths and flickering candles gave the decor a cozy old-world atmosphere. If she didn't know better she could be somewhere in Italy instead of Cricket Creek and the food here rivaled any Italian dishes she'd ever eaten, including in New York City's Little Italy.

After a week of nonstop paperwork, Sophia and Carrie Ann Spencer were the proud co-owners of White Lace and Promises so Sophia was in the mood to finally kick back and celebrate. Carrie Ann had been right. She'd stayed in Cricket Creek longer than she'd intended because she really didn't want to leave, but didn't have a challenging career choice until now. While all of this business moved a bit faster than she would have liked and she still had some jitters, the nerves were also a good feeling. So when Avery called and invited her to dinner she eagerly accepted. She was about to send him a text, since it looked as if the wait at the hostess stand was several patrons deep, but after another quick look around, Sophia spotted Avery's dark curly head at a booth near the back of the cozy restaurant.

Sophia felt a familiar warm tug of desire that made her want to fan her face despite having just come in from the cold, breezy weather. She stood there for a moment while gathering her composure. Now that she knew she was staying in Cricket Creek, Sophia was beginning to wonder if she should let Avery know that if he wanted to, they could go beyond friendship instead of just having her pretend to be into him. Although her spontaneous kisses on the patio at Sully's had been fueled by a bit too much Love Potion Ale, she couldn't stop thinking about kissing him again.

But Sophia was still concerned that Avery wasn't one hundred percent over his ex-fiancée, so maybe she shouldn't go after another, much wanted kiss. On the
other hand, maybe it was high time that Avery moved on for good—and another hot kiss might send him in that much needed direction. Well, a direction she needed, anyway.

Sophia's feet finally started moving and she made her way past the closely placed tables. Silverware clinked against dishes; patrons chatted and laughed while mood music softly played in the background. A beautiful wooden bar ran the length of the room to the left. Sophia noticed a few women with martini glasses and decided she could use one. Or two. This atmosphere actually reminded her of being in a pizza parlor in Brooklyn and then she remembered that owners Tony and Reese Marino had actually lived in Brooklyn before they came to Cricket Creek.

Because he was frowning at his cell phone, Avery failed to see her approach. “Hey there,” Sophia said as she slid into the booth. When he looked up and saw her, Avery's frown turned into a quick smile but she had to wonder what was bothering him.

“Sophia!” He pushed the cell phone away and reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “Congratulations! Are you excited?”

“Yes!” Sophia nodded. “And of course Mom, Grace, and Garret are over the moon that I'm moving here for good. Grace is already starting to come up with a marketing plan. But it's all happened so fast that my head is still spinning.” She made circling motions around her ears. “I'm usually much slower to make this kind of big decision.”

“They're not the only ones happy that you're moving here for good.” Avery gave her hand a tighter squeeze. “Let's order a bottle of champagne.”

“Oh, you don't have to do that. . . .” Sophia protested but Avery shook his head causing his curly hair to dip over his forehead in such an adorable way. She had the urge to reach over and brush the curls back just
to feel the silky texture between her fingers. The blue sweater brought out his eyes and was just snug enough to show off the wide set of his shoulders and defined arms. “Really.”

“Too late. I already did. Besides, this is big news! We need to celebrate.” His bright smile made Sophia long to lean across the table and get the kiss she'd been wanting but his phone pinged bringing another frown to his face. He glanced at it as if it was a snake ready to strike.

“Is everything okay?” Sophia tilted her head as she shrugged out of her coat.

“Yeah, it's just my sister's wedding plans again. To be honest, she's been driving me crazy.”

“It's okay if you need to answer the text or give her a call.” Sophia smiled. “I'm quite familiar with bridal jitters.”

“Not this kind,” Avery said, but before he could elaborate the server approached them with the bottle of champagne.

The young guy named Chad looked a bit nervous to pop the cork. “Thought I should warn you. I've only done this once at home and it didn't end well,” he admitted as he untwisted the wire cage. “I have trouble enough with wine bottles.”

“Should we duck for cover?” Avery asked.

“Maybe . . .” Chad looked at the bottle with trepidation.

“Hold it at a forty-five-degree angle and don't twist the cork at all,” Sophia advised. “Twist the fat part of the bottle as you pull down.”

“Well, now . . .” When Avery raised an eyebrow, she grinned.

“I've done lots of weddings and events where champagne was served. And I've seen my share of near disasters at parties.”

“Only near disasters?”

“Well . . .” She winced, but when Chad's eyes
widened she decided she'd better keep the cracked window incident to herself.

Chad bit his bottom lip and put a towel over the cork. “Here goes nothin',” he said, but the cork popped without mishap. “Hey, you were right.” Looking pleased with himself he poured the bubbly into two flutes with a flourish. “I'll bring some fresh bread in a few minutes.”

“Thank you,” Avery said, and lifted his glass of champagne. “To White Lace and Promises.”

Sophia tapped her flute to his. She took a sip and giggled when the bubbles tickled her nose. “Oh, very nice. Thanks so much, Avery. This is a sweet gesture.”

“My pleasure.” He smiled but his eyes appeared a bit serious. “I'm really glad you're moving here, Sophia.”

“Me too.” She took another sip of the champagne, and then played with the stem of her glass. “The decision was actually easier than I anticipated.” She was about to say more when his phone dinged again.

“I'm sorry. I'll put it on silent, like I should have done to begin with.” He picked up the phone, then groaned when he glanced at the message.

“Do you want to talk about it? I might have some wedding advice for your sister that could help calm her down.”

Avery inhaled a deep breath. “I don't know if you can help.” He paused when Chad brought a basket of dipping bread along with a dish of herbed olive oil. After they each took of slice of the fragrant loaf he continued. “My sister's maid of honor is Ashley Montgomery, my ex-fiancée. And I'm the best man.”

“Oh . . .” Sophia felt a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach. “Wow . . . So that must be awkward, I guess, right?”

“Yeah. It's weird. We were all best friends way before Ashley and I dated. Max, Zoe, Ashley, and I did just about everything together when we were growing up.” He shredded the crust of his bread. “But since the
breakup, of course, that all came to an abrupt end. Now that the wedding stuff is starting to get intense, my sister's been trying to get Ashley and me back together. It's driving me nuts.” He took a big gulp of the champagne and nearly coughed.

“So it bothers you to be around her?” Sophia asked carefully. She dipped a warm piece of the bread into the oil and waited.

“Well, yeah, as you said it's awkward.” He looked at the bread crumbs scattered on his plate as if wondering how they got there.

“I don't mean to pry—and you can tell me if it's none of my business—but why
did
you two break up?” Her heart pounded as she looked at him and waited. She'd wanted to know the reason for a long time.

Avery licked his bottom lip but remained silent.

“Hey, sorry—I shouldn't have asked,” she said sheepishly.

“No, no, really, it's okay,” he said. But he didn't look okay.

Sophia picked up her flute so quickly that champagne sloshed over the rim. She took a sip and said, “It's just, I know you said something about you two growing apart but that seems like something that happens during the marriage and not the engagement.”

“Well . . .” Avery suddenly seemed so uncomfortable that Sophia wished she'd kept her mouth shut. “I can't go into . . . the reasons.” He looked into his flute for a moment and then back at her. “But I don't want to get back together with her. I just don't know how to convince Zoe—and everyone else—of this. She means well but . . .”

“Do you know how Ashley feels about this?” Her heart thudded even harder. “Is she part of this plot as well?”

Avery lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I haven't spoken to her about the breakup since it happened,” he
said but when he glanced away Sophia suspected that Ashley wanted him back and Avery knew it. He shook his head. “I just wish they would let this alone. And I sure wish I didn't have to be in this wedding.”

“You mean be in the wedding with Ashley.”

Avery nodded.

“So how is it when you've gotten together with them? Other than the obvious awkward undertones?” The fact that he got together with them bothered her more than it should.

“It's just weird. The night that Zoe and Max asked me to go out for dinner I figured that Max might ask me to be his best man. What they failed to tell me was that Ashley was going to be there, too.”

“How did that go?”

“I mean, once I got over the shock of seeing her, after a few beers we sort of fell back into the good old times.” He looked down at the table for a moment. “But there were also awkward silences while the elephant stomped around the room wavin' its big ole trunk all around.”

“I can only imagine.”

“I only went out for drinks with them one other time when Zoe insisted we needed to go over more wedding details. I instantly regretted it as soon as I got there, but Zoe just doesn't get it. I know that she misses all of us hanging out together and there is a hole in our lives now that wasn't there before, but I can't fill that void for them.” He appeared so upset that Sophia felt guilty for bringing it up. “I just can't.”

“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pried, Avery.”

“No really, it's okay.” He paused, and then added, “I'm sorry for saying this so bluntly but this thing that Zoe is doing is just jacking around with my brain.”

“I get that, Avery. But people do move on. I mean look at my brother Garret and Addison Greenfield. Not only were they engaged but their breakup was splashed all over the tabloids in a very public way and
now they're on friendly terms. I know your situation is different but maybe you can just put the past behind you, where it belongs.”

“That's what I'm trying to do. But it's not that easy in a small town.”

She shrugged. “And maybe you could give Zoe more personal reasons for the breakup, something that might make her understand.”

“It's not that simple.” Avery scrubbed a hand down his face and appeared so crestfallen that Sophia wanted to do something more to help and then it hit her . . .

“Have you forgotten about our plan?”

“Plan?”

“For me to pretend to be totally into you?”

“Oh, Sophia, about that . . .”

“No, I'll do it.” She glanced left and right and then reached across the table to cover his hand with hers. “To everyone watching, we'll appear to be on an official date.”

“Yeah but I—”

“No worries, I'm happy to do it.” Sophia squeezed his hand and smiled.

*   *   *

S
OPHIA KNEW THAT PRETENDING TO BE SOMETHING that she kind of wished she
could be
was rather stupid but she wanted to help him out of this situation he found himself in.

Avery sat up straight. “Wait, Sophia . . . you don't need to do this.”

“No.” Sophia shook her head. “I want to. I mean why not?” Because I might fall hopelessly in love with you and get seriously hurt in the process? “It's the perfect plan.” Except for the getting hurt part but she wouldn't dwell on that little detail right now.

Avery finally nodded. “Okay, if this is what you want to do.”

“It is.” Sophia smiled as she poured more
champagne into the flutes, and then picked hers up. “Here's to perfection.”

He tapped his glass to hers but his smile appeared a little bit forced.

“We only have to do this until after the wedding and then we can have a breakup.”

“Okay.”

Her smile faltered a little bit and an odd pang settled in her stomach. “Yeah, something big and public. I'll toss a drink in your face.”