“I know we don’t have the normal time schedule, though,” Ally said. “Will that cut out a lot of my options?”
“I’ll make sure to only show you dresses that don’t have to be special ordered. Your size is an asset since it’s common to find off the rack and easily alter. Now, is there anything you don’t like in a wedding dress?”
Ally wrinkled her nose. “Nothing tight or formfitting. No mermaid. Nothing too flashy or too—”
“Weird,” Carter finished. “I’ve seen some of those wedding shows on TLC. Sometimes more isn’t a good thing.”
Vera laughed. “Understood. Now, let’s whisk your brother off to the waiting area and get started. Avery, why don’t you keep Mr. Ross company?”
“Of course.” She grabbed the whole bottle of champagne and led him out while she let Vera do her job.
The waiting room held pristine white chairs, a velvet couch with raspberry throw pillows, and plush vanilla carpet. The chandelier dripped elegant crystals and pearls. The full-length mirrors were gilded with silver scrolling. The entire room was elegant and classy.
Carter hooked his ankle over his knee, glass held gracefully between his long fingers. Irritation bristled. Why was he dressed like he had a job interview? Today, it was a navy-blue suit with a pink tie that should have looked ridiculous but instead was a tiny bit hot. His polished wing-tipped shoes exposed no imperfections under the gleaming light.
“Don’t you own a pair of shorts?”
He blinked, then slowly swiveled his head around. His gaze flicked over her body in pure dismissal. “Yes.”
She waited for more, but he remained silent, just sipping his champagne. “Then why are you wearing a suit on vacation?”
“Because I’m not on vacation yet. I’m still working on a project. Therefore, I’m technically required to dress for my job.”
Her mouth dropped open. “That’s ridiculous. You’re in a different state, and no one from the office is going to see you. Why wouldn’t you dress comfortably?”
He looked at her like she’d asked a stupid question. “I am comfortable.”
“Why am I not surprised?” she muttered under her breath. Did he even know how to kick back and relax? Tamping down her frustration, she resolved to try and get along with him. He was her friend’s ManOH, and she knew the next three months would be easier if they formed a truce. “Are you still doing computer stuff?”
“Yes.”
“What exactly is your job?”
“I’m a hacker.”
“Isn’t that illegal?”
“Not if you work for the good guys. I’m termed an ethical hacker. I do jobs for the government to stop bad people from infiltrating our economy and computer systems.”
Hmm, that was actually interesting. She’d figured he did quality assurance or something similarly yawn-worthy. “Did you want to make a difference? Is that why you got into that field of work?”
The judging gaze was back. “No, Avery. I needed to make a lot of money and have the ability to be mobile. It fit my needs.” End of subject. He returned his attention to his glass, swirling the bubbly liquid around like it held all the answers.
Oh, how she despised the way he addressed her, like she was completely beneath him. She was about to make a cutting remark when Ally appeared in her first dress and stepped up on the platform.
“What do you think?” she asked, facing them and smoothing her palms down the thick satin skirt. It was a stunning dress. A strapless shirred bodice flared gently out to a full skirt with a simple train. The lines were beautifully cut, and it screamed classic elegance.
“It’s gorgeous on you,” Avery said. “Do you like it?”
“I love it. Carter?”
Those stormy eyes were hooded. “It’s nice.”
Avery gritted her teeth. If Carter got in his sister’s head to make her doubt her decisions, she’d kill him.
Vera launched into some of the aspects of the dress, touching on the designer but allowing Ally to come to her own conclusion.
She turned around a few times. “I really love it, but I’d like to see more.”
“Of course,” Avery said. “That’s the best way to figure out your favorite. Try on as many as possible.”
Ally gathered the full skirt and disappeared back into the dressing room with Vera.
Avery whirled on her heel. “‘It’s nice’?” she growled. “That’s the reaction you give your sister when you see her in a wedding dress for the first time?”
He shrugged. “It was nice. Would you prefer I whip out my internal thesaurus to dazzle you both with my vocabulary?”
She swallowed a groan. “No, but a little enthusiasm is required as her support system. I know you don’t have many emotions, but here’s a bit of advice from the wedding planner: fake it.”
He cocked his head. “You seem a bit high strung. I thought you were supposed to be the calm in the storm for all involved in the wedding. Isn’t that your job?”
“My job is to protect the bride at all times, even if it’s from her brother. Here she comes. Do better this time.”
Ally came out in the second A-line gown, but this one had a bigger, more elaborate train, and the bodice was encrusted with pearls. Once again, the style complemented her figure. “Okay, here’s dress number two. What do you think?”
“Gorgeous,” Avery said, walking around to see it from all sides.
“Carter?”
“It’s quite picturesque.”
Ah, hell. She was going to kill him.
Thankfully, Ally didn’t seem to notice the odd word, because she was looking in the mirror, studying her reflection with intense concentration.
“Do you like this one better, sweets?” Avery asked.
“I love this one, too.”
“As much as the last?” Vera prodded.
“Yes, I think so. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with them. They’re really nice.”
Avery shared a look with Vera. “We don’t want you to feel ‘nice.’ We want you to feel like the hottest bride on the planet.”
Her friend laughed, spinning around one more time. “Maybe we can try another style I like to get a comparison? That may help narrow me down.”
“Absolutely,” Vera said. “Let’s get you back in the dressing room.”
The moment they left, Avery stomped over to Carter’s chair. “I cannot believe you said that.”
He looked bored. “What now? I gave a different response. Listen, I’ll know when it’s the dress, and so will she. I’m not about to mimic a cheerleader for the next twenty dresses she may parade out in.”
“Oh, I see. We wouldn’t want you to waste any real emotion by faking some enthusiasm. What if you run out of the surplus you stored up for the winter? You may not even be able to smile for a month.”
He arched a brow. “Do you do yoga?”
“No, why?”
“I heard it’s good for hidden anger issues and stress. It also helps to keep you looking young.”
She smiled. “Guess that means you don’t practice, either. Aren’t you forty-five by now?”