Page 50 of The Wedding Crush

She releases a disappointed sigh.

For the life of me, I don’t know why I don’t see the curveball coming when my sister winds me up, only to completely throw me.

“Anyway,” she says. “If you were available, you should’ve just met up with Avery instead of lying. She seemed really disappointed when you canceled on her…”

Wait, what?

My body posture perks up.

“Disappointed?”

I’m straining to hear even the slightest hitch in her breath.Was Avery really upset that I canceled? Or is Chiara just baiting me?

My pulse surges as I wait impatiently.

“Yeah, we were all at the bridal salon yesterday, dancing and drinking champagne when y’all rescheduled for today. She was the only one sitting hunched over, looking around in confusion like she had somewhere else she wanted to be…”

No, this is ridiculous.

Avery Ellis is a young, beautiful woman with a great kid, a thriving business, and sunny outlook on life. Men are probably beating down her door for a date with her. Her ex-husband’s got to be kicking himself that he let her go.

I let out an exasperated huff.

The very notion that Avery Ellis wanted to see me seems preposterous, except…

I glance at my watch.

Avery and I are meeting early.

In five minutes.

One of which passes while I rush Chiara off the phone. Which, in hindsight feels like a mistake.

I’m left nervously staring at my reflection in my computer screen, and dissecting the nano-scopic possibility that Avery might have a small thing for me.

The instant her picture appears, I straighten, tipping my head, angling my good side to her.

“Hi!” I say, way too cheery. And loud, considering this latest addition to my newly minted spank bank.

Involuntarily, I survey her sheer black, short-sleeve blouse, her Beyoncé-esque blonde wig twisted up with a pencil, those warm brown eyes, and the sexy smile stretching her full lips.

My pulse races.

“Hey, thanks so much for joining early.” She shakes her head and blows out an amused sigh. “And for understanding yesterday. I got the date for Ace’s dental appointment mixed up, and it threw off my entire day. I was trying to squeeze everything in, but I shouldn’t’ve assumed your evening would be free to reschedule. Obviously, you’ve got a life.” She lets out a shaky laugh.

“It’s no problem, really. It’s fine,” I say, mesmerized by her slow, surveying glance.

“Okay, so…” She takes a deep breath. “It’s been a hectic week, but we made it.”

Despite myself, I inch to the edge of my seat.

“Celebrate the wins, right?” I say.

“Exactly.” Avery blinks a handful of time before she clears her throat. “Now, before we begin the meeting, I’d really love to start over with you.”

Breath bottles up in my chest, and I’m staring wordlessly.

It’s so vague.

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