Page 21 of The Wedding Crush

“You’ve got so much in common, and we can’t help wondering if you’d have found out on your own had the vineyard listing hoax never happened, you know?” The inflection in her voice lifts with the unspoken question.

Are you willing to give each other a chance for us?

Immediately, my answer is no.

Grudges are one thing. But keeping me out of the loop when it concerns my brother’s engagement? It rubbed me all the way wrong. What’s more, I’m convinced that Avery’s rose-colored glasses are simply proof of youth and naiveté. She’s unrealistically hopeful because she hasn’t experienced enough of life’s ups and downs. Not just about people but the choices we make that with age, we look back on in hindsight with so much clarity.

And that’s fine, as long as you’re not guiding someone else’s decision that could leave him spiraling in grief and suffering.

“Maybe.” I give a noncommittal nod, not wanting to come off too harsh with Avery again.

To my surprise, she quietly, stubbornly sips from her glass, sets it on the table, then twists to face me.

“She’s absolutely right,” Avery says with conviction. “That prank, 100 percent helped shape my view of you. Your role in that ‘family ruse’ could’ve left their relationship as collateral damage.”

It’s a matter of maturity,I reassure myself.

“I hear you, and I acknowledge your point,” I respond. “For the record, my intention was never to hurt my brother or Morgan.”

Good. Maintain your cool.

“Yes, this is why we’re here tonight.” Morgan weaves her fingers with Dante’s, meeting Avery’s blank stare. “We all want to move past this. He’s my soon-to-be husband’s brother.Mybrother-in-law.” Then she turns to me. “And she’s your soon-to-be sister-in-law’s best friend.”

Avery seeks out my stare again. “I know whyyou’rehere.”

The accusation in her tone grates on my nerves.

Again, I remind myself this is what this generation does. They get hot-headed, venting and blowing things out of proportion. They point fingers first then ask questions later.

“Well then, by all means, please share it with the class, Pollyanna.”

Shit, don’t sink to her level.

“Pollyanna?” Avery releases a hysterical laugh. “See, you don’t fool me. I see right through your over-starched suits and quiet judgment.”

“I just meant that you’ve got such a warm personality.”Clearly, with everyone except for me.

“Yeah, I bet.” She purses her full glossy lips. “Well, since we’re talking about moving on and positivity, I thought I’d encourage you not to be such a rain cloud, stealing other people’s sun just because you’re going through a hard time.”

“Okay…” Morgan interrupts. “Looks like maybe we should take over things from here.”

But Avery is undeterred in her mission.

“So, your marriage is over and I’m sure that sucks rainbow cannonballs. But you know what? You’re still here. You’re still on this side of the grass. Why not celebrate life to the fullest while you’re in your prime?”

At this, I’ve got to laugh.

She’s somehow managed to insult both me and my marriage before she sprinkles me with confetti. Then she follows it up with a veiled compliment?I’m in my prime, now, am I?

I snicker. “Rainbow cannonballs, huh?”

“Yes, and I saw her post.” She stays her course, hooking a hard turn into left field. Except, she says it so softly, so sympathetically, I almost miss it over the drumline pounding in my ears.

How did this become about me?

Carina’s hand-holding post flashes across the front of my mind, jolting me back to Avery’s soft gaze.

“By now, I’m sure everyone has,” she reasons. “And so what if people are talking? It’s time for you to start looking up and looking to your own future, not stifling everyone else’s.”

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