Page 73 of A Lot Like Adiós
She rolled her eyes at him. “This is my family we’re talking about. I’d be surprised if half of them are here. And you know Ronnie is not going to start this thing on time.”
They pushed their seats back and twisted around to retrieve their clothes, then set about shimmying into them inside the car.
Michelle’s dress was tangerine orange, with a deep vee and a flared skirt. She was able to slip it on, but when she turned to Gabe to ask him to zip her up, she stifled a laugh. He’d put his shirt on and buttoned it, but he was having trouble getting his long legs into the pants while sitting in the Fiat.
“Gabe, just get out,” she said. “No one is here.”
He sent her an aggrieved look, but he opened the car door and climbed out, holding the pants over one arm.
Michelle got out, too, rounding the car so he could do the zipper on her dress.
The venue’s back door opened and Ava walked out. She stopped short, eyes going wide when she saw them.
Gabe let out a strangled squawk and dove back into the car. Michelle waved.
“Hi, Ava. Can you zip my dress for me? Since Gabe is struggling to put his pants on.”
“Michelle!” Gabe yelled from inside the car, sounding absolutely scandalized.
Ava shook her head, but walked over to them. “Why is Gabriel always half naked when I show up?”
Michelle turned so Ava could pull up the zipper. “Just your good luck, I guess.”
“Ha,” Ava muttered. “No, really. Why doesn’t he have pants on?”
Gabe stuck his head out of the car. “We were running late and Michelle suggested we drive up in our underwear so we didn’t wrinkle our clothes.”
“Brilliant idea, right?” Michelle grinned. “Hurry up, Gabe.”
Gabe stalked over to them, grumbling and tucking his shirt into the pants, which were now on his legs.
Which was a shame, since the man had stunning thighs.
“Do you need help with your tie?” Michelle asked. They’d co-opted one of her father’s ties for the occasion.
“Sure.” Gabe positioned the tie under his shirt collar and faced her, but Michelle stepped back.
“Ava, would you?” Michelle gestured at Gabe’s neck. When he gave her a look, she said, “What? You think I know how to tie a tie?”
Ava sighed, but she stepped forward and made quick and efficient work of Gabe’s tie.
He watched her hands, then looked up with a confused expression. “Was that a Windsor knot?”
“Yes.” Ava turned back to Michelle. “Go inside. I’ll be there in a minute. Titi Lisa asked me to get something from her car.”
Michelle caught her arm. “Is everyone talking about us already?”
“Do you even have to ask?”
Michelle’s shoulders slumped as Ava left them. “That means yes.”
Gabe came up beside her and they watched Ava go. “It’s not too late, you know.”
“For what?”
“To run away.”
“That’s your MO. Not mine.” Besides, she’d never live it down. “Remember our story?”
