Page 48 of The Wedding Crush

“Not really anyone, huh? That’s what we’re going with?” The line swishes like he’s settling in for a deep dive. “Who is she?”

“Who is who?” I feign confusion, knowing, over the years, we’ve been down this road too many times to count. I’ll give a little, and he’ll pull the rest out of me.

“Let me guess, she’s some supplier for the winery?” Then he snaps his fingers. “No, no, she’s probably one of Morgan’s sisters?” Sister Circle, but close.Shit.“Tell me I’m wrong.”

I inhale sharply.

My phone pings with a text notification from Avery asking to meet thirty minutes early before Dante and Morgan join. As I tap out a quick affirmative reply, hoping it’ll get me out of this interrogation, Dylan correctly interprets my silence as a confession.

“I’m proud of you, man,” he intones. “You deserve to find happiness again. I want you to be open to meeting someone and enjoying her company. If only to look long enough to fuel the spank bank.”

“Okay, thanks for that—”

My line beeps, and my sister couldn’t have more perfect timing. I take the out. “Listen Dylan, this is Chiara calling on the other line. She’s been trying to reach me since last night. I’ve got to run but I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Look at you, being soft.” Dylan snorts. “But it’s cool. Call me when you want to man up and talk about this.”

The second he ends the call, my line clicks over, and I breathe a relieved sigh.

Except, in my rush to get off with Dylan, thinking, somehow, I’d been saved, I forgot this is my annoying little sister, thirteen years my junior.

If she’s calling, she wants something.

“Hey, Stef,” she croons into the line like her reaching out to me is a regular occurrence rather than a shock to my system.

“Good afternoon, Chiara. Everything all right? Did you need anything?” I rush to ask. “I’ve got another meeting here shortly.”

Considering she’s an honorary member of Morgan’s Sister Circle, I purposely leave out that it’s with Avery. The last thing I need, going into this meeting, is my sister adding to Dylan’s and Dante’s gospel to get me to be open.Nor more images to add to my mental collection for later self-pleasure.

I lower my legs and push to my feet, ducking out of the office into the hallway toward the vending machine.

It’s too early for wine, but at this rate, chocolate will have to be a substitute to get me through this day.

“No, I don’t need anything…” She trails off, her silence prickling with subtext. “I’m just trying to figure out why you lied to Avery yesterday. You haven’t had plans since 19—”

“Thank you.” The muscle at my jaw hardens. “I’m so glad I answered your call. Really, we should have these riveting chats more often.” Sarcasm bleeds into my hardened tone.

“Wow, that wasn’t an overreaction or anything.”

I huff out a sigh.

“Again, I’ve got a meeting so…”

“So, why lie to Avery?” she presses. “Is there something else going on? You can tell me.”

Okay, sure.

“What is it with everyone latching on to this subject? Avery and I are working together onourbrother’s wedding. That’s it,” I bite out. “First, Dante and Dylan, now, you’re doing what? Faulting me for opting for a meeting during business hours?”

Chiara’s laugh is loud and wicked like this is too easy, I’ve seen myself into her trap.

“Be for real with me, Stef.”

She’s calling my bluff.

It would be so easy, to brush this conversation off as my nosy little sister, digging for dirt on my nonexistent love life. Now, though, that’s a valid description. Unless I use this opportunity to get a woman’s perspective regarding what women think of me.After the vineyard, what fueled Avery’s sudden eagerness to meet. Maybe, get some insight on her. Or ask about her divorce from Ace’s dad…

I shove my hand in my pocket for my wallet, slipping it free as I scour the brightly colored metallic packaged chocolate bar selection in the vending machine.

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