Page 33 of The Wedding Crush

I interrupt her. “Technically, it should be back on me. You asked if you should go on about Timmons. I answered.”

If we had an instant replay of the past few minutes, the questions have been a two-way conversation. But suddenly, I feel like things are shifting in a direction I don’t want to go, so I’m being a stickler.

The vein at Avery’s temple twitches, like she knows this, too, but she’s humoring me.

She drops her gaze briefly before it springs up, a storm raging her eyes. “You’re right,” she bites out between clenched teeth, her focus again flitting to the clock.

“Good girl.”

Avery’s attention snaps to me again as she stutters, “P-Please, ask away then.”

From the instant she introduced this speed icebreaker, a barrage of questions have flooded my mind.Why are you nice to everyone but me? Why a blonde wig? Why event planning? Do you honestly believe we’ll pull off this wedding in two and a half months? What’s your romantic type?But then I settle on the one I’m most eager to learn.

“What is your gripe with me?” I ask.

Avery sits up, reenergized, like I’ve walked into her trap.

“Stefano, I honestly don’t love the way you’ve inserted yourself, your opinions, and your personal baggage into Morgan and Dante’s relationship. I’m concerned you haven’t supported their relationship from the start.”

It’s so simply stated, but the accusation hits hard.

I feel my defenses rising.

Glancing at the time, I zero in on the final minute winding down.

“Is that so?” I bite out.

The muscles at my jaw harden and jut out at the sides.

She’s accusing me of being a narcissist when all I’ve ever done is put my family first. If anything, I’m still putting my brother’s happiness—his future—ahead of mine.

“For me, the disconnect lies in the fact that I suspect given the chance, rather than respect Dante’s feelings and choices, you would’ve steered him away from proposing based on the results ofyourmarriage.”

Carefully, she chooses her words, avoiding technicality questions.

“Now, I won’t comment on your marriage or your divorce.”

“Sure you will.”

A genuine smile quirks at her lips.

“You’re right, in a roundabout way. I think it’s worth noting that your ex has publicly moved on. My point in broaching the subject is that I’m sure you’re not welcoming everyone’s opinions about it.”

Well, it’s my brother and not people looking to gossip, so…

My pulse throbs.

We’re down to seconds.

I listen to her go on about how family is important, but marriage is between two people.

All the while, it’s on the tip of my tongue to shatter the ice completely.

I want to tell her how badly I’d like to back out of this silly dream team rather than spend my days with a woman who believes life is just a series of rainbow cannonballs and butterflies. Since we’re willy-nilly doling out quick, unfounded judgments, I want to strongly encourage her to take her own baseless advice and keep her immature opinions to herself until she knows the hard work requiredafterthe vow exchanges and party cleanup.

But then she says, “It’s just a thought.”

A humorless laugh hurls out of me before I mumble under my breath, “It’s interesting you’ve got such strong opinions about marriage…”

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