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She picked out a purple dress from the closet of options left for her and had me zip her up. Losing sight of her skin set off a thrill inside me. That night, ideally, I would have her again and again. I’d never been so eager with anyone.
I grabbed my gray suit and dressed once we were cleaned up. At the bedroom door, she took my hand and hummed as she stepped out. My brother’s backyard had a breakfast buffet laid out for all of us, and we ate as staff set up the altar near the trees for that afternoon.
We waited in the line for our breakfast buffet. It felt like no time had passed. The air smelled like her vanilla lotion, which was also on my skin. Once we had our plates, we found seats between Arman and Maddie and Cyrus and Sarah.
Avril craned her neck, and I assumed she hoped to wave to her friends, but then she glanced at me. “So, these are all your family?”
“Those are the Miami cousins at that table.”
She directed me to another group. “And them?”
I pointed at the twenty-year-olds. “My brother’s college friends, and behind them are the Denver cousins.”
She picked up her fork and a napkin to cover her dress. “Such a large family. And you really thought it was better to stay alone?”
Not anymore. It was better with her next to me. My heart felt full. “I hadn’t realized having someone as cute as you on my arm would make me happy.”
She laughed and pressed against my arm. “Then you’re pretty easy to please.”
A huge grin was plastered on my face, and I honestly didn’t care if anyone asked why. I whispered, “You’re probably the first person to ever tell me that.”
She winked at me. “Maybe that’s why you need me.”
“Maybe,” I said, and we ate our fried eggs.
After our plates were empty, and she was enjoying her coffee and I was drinking my tea, I hoped we would find a moment to talk and a way to sneak back to our room. Then my brother, his bride, and his son came out, and everyone stood and clapped, which meant I would need to wait.
As we sat down, she asked me, “So, how did you miss the way Elon and Clarissa look at each other?”
Because I never experienced that kind of bliss. I smiled. “I was oblivious clearly.”
She picked up her coffee. “It’s sweet, though.”
I glanced down the other end of the table and saw how her friend and my brother wiggled into a space to have breakfast together. “And Charlie and Hope… he’s more grounded with her.”
She waved, and Hope waved back. “What was your ex-girlfriend like?”
I finished my tea. Then I motioned for us to take a walk. I hadn’t expected Avril to be jealous of my past. Once we were away from my brothers, I asked, “Why do you want to know?”
She shrugged. “I want to know your type.”
I tensed. The past was the past. “Ahh, well, she was blond and not into family or having a family. We never talked much, to be absolutely honest.”
She stayed at my side with a bounce to her step. “Because you're introverted and don’t like to share your thoughts?”
I took a deep breath and wrapped my arm around her waist. “I’m out of practice, but I’m trying.”
We continued to tour the gardens and passed my brother’s wine factory. Making wine was his hobby. She didn’t mention the building and instead said, “Can I ask you about Xerses?”
I blinked. “What about him?”
She sighed. “I think Kelly is starting to like him.”
I realized I’d been jealous, which was crazy. My brother was great, but I hated hearing another name on Avril’s lips. I shook it off. “He never laughs. He’s the opposite of Charlie—nothing fazes Charlie. I hope the best for both of them.”
She met my gaze. “Kelly is a go-getter and loves laughing. She’s super kind and sweet.”
I pressed my hand to my heart. “I thought I was those things too.”
