Page 95 of One Southern Summer

Mama’s expression grew serious. “Honey, I know you don’t want to hear this, but just because your husband left you doesn’t mean every man will leave you.”

“I wish I could believe that, Mama.”

Mama and Greer exchanged glances.

“You are loved, Avery. Your beauty is genuine and runs deep on the inside, although you are beautiful on the outside too.” Greer’s smile creased the lines beside his eyes. “Remember, Cole fell in love with you long before you were a world-famous home decor expert.”

His kind words provoked a fresh wave of tears. “I am not world-famous.”

“Instagram famous then.” Mama chuckled. “Julene showed me your latest posts.”

Avery lifted one shoulder in a helpless shrug. Some of her influencer campaigns had taken off like bottle rockets over the lake on the Fourth of July. She wasn’t thrilled about the so-called fame, but she did enjoy the work and the income made this move possible.

“Cole wants to be with you and your children,” Greer said. “We haven’t spoken since he was over at the house for supper, but my guess is he feels horrible about what happened.”

“I’m not real proud of the way I behaved, either,” Avery said, turning away from Greer. She opened a plastic bin and unboxed some board books and a few basic puzzles. She crossed the room and tucked them inside the chest Mama had let her bring from the guest room at the house.

“What are you talking about?” Harper stacked the empty containers that held the linens by the front door. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I was not very gracious when he apologized.” Avery closed the lid on the chest then sat on it. “He took a big risk employing me, even if Nana had way too much to do with his offer. I didn’t have the skill set to pull off that design project, but he believed in me, and that made all the difference.”

“The new residence is gorgeous,” Harper said. “When the women move in, they’re going to love everything about it. Y’all have done an incredible job.”

“Thank you. It was a real team effort. Taking on that role with Imari’s Place taught me a lot. The gossip and criticism were over-the-top, and I let it get to me.” Avery rubbed her fingertips across her forehead. “If I’m ever going to date anyone or even think about getting married again, I have to learn to be okay with being myself, instead of what other people want me to be.”

Greer smiled then reached inside a box and pulled out a framed photograph. “That’s a lifelong process, darlin’. You’ll get there.”

She studied the photo of her and Addison sitting on a bench at their favorite park near the house in Raleigh. Addison’s gingham dress with the hand smocking on the bodice complemented Avery’s pale blue sundress. They both had their curls tamed back with headbands. Avery held newborn Hayes swaddled in her arms. She didn’t want to go back to the agony of those weeks and months.

But was she ready to move forward and embrace love again?

“Cole and I both hurt each other deeply, and I don’t know if we’ll ever get past that.”

“You won’t know until you try,” Greer said.

The door burst open and Addison rushed in, her cheeks flushed and bits of hay stuck in her hair. “Mama, guess what? Uncle Trey and Daddy took me to a pumpkin patch and it was amazing!”

Avery stood and swooped Addison into her arms. “That sounds super fun. Let’s go wash your hands and then we’ll have a snack and you can tell me all about it.”

Julene came inside with Hayes in her arms. Greer, Mama and Harper encircled them, cheering as he immediately squirmed out of his aunt’s arms and crawled across the floor.

Avery half listened as Addison chattered about her adventures. Greer’s wise words had climbed inside her head. She helped Addison find some soap and a towel then adjusted the water temperature in the bathroom sink. Her feelings for Cole hadn’t changed. Had she allowed anger to cloud her judgment? Yeah, probably.

Her family sure hadn’t surrendered their positions as his number one fans. They had patiently supported her and tried to empathize with her circumstances, but they didn’t hold back when it came to reminding her that Cole loved her.

I’ve loved you since forever, Avery, and that hasn’t changed.

She revisited his declaration, turning the words over and over in her mind, like a rare piece of sea glass discovered in the sand. Maybe she needed to forgive him. Maybe it was time to let go of the hurt and embrace a second chance. Every part of her wanted to believe that was possible. But she’d wielded her pain and fear of rejection like a shield for so long, what if it was too late for her and Cole?

Chapter Seventeen

Cole hovered in one corner of the ballroom at the Altamont hotel, his stomach a tangled mess of nerves. The live band opened their set list with a cover of Pharrell Williams’s “Happy,” filling the dimly lit room with a festive vibe. A spinning mirrored ball sprinkled the dance floor with rainbow-colored dots of light. He was not the least bit interested in dancing tonight. Camellia’s most generous citizens mingled around him, dressed in their finest attire. Cole tugged at the punishingly tight collar on his tux, wishing he’d gone with a business casual vibe for tonight’s function. He was supposed to give a speech in a few minutes but the right words eluded him.

A waiter stopped in front of him and offered a glass of sparkling cider. Cole accepted with a curt nod. Pinching the cool stem between his fingers, he allowed himself a slow perusal of the room.

They’d gathered to celebrate the expansion of Imari’s Place. He hated spending money on stuff like this. Hated thinking about how much they could do with the funds instead of paying for live music and appetizers. And he hated that Avery wasn’t by his side.

No, he hadn’t personally invited her, but he’d made sure Millie Kay sent her an invitation to the gala on behalf of the foundation. They hadn’t received a response. Hemby and his wife stood nearby, chatting with a couple who served on the board of directors. A woman in a black formal gown and blond hair twisted into an updo came into the ballroom. His breath caught. When the woman smiled and waved to one of her friends, Cole realized his mistake.

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