“He’s a good man, Carter. I think I knew the moment we met. I got those crazy butterflies, and when we shook hands, it was like the world faded out for a moment. My whole being shuddered. I just knew.”
This time, he was grateful they weren’t face-to-face. He couldn’t hide the cynicism regarding such fanciful ideas as instant love or finding one’s soul mate. Statistically, it didn’t even properly calculate as decent odds. People liked to wrap up attraction in pretty packages to sell movies, TV shows, or book ideas, especially for women. But he loved his sister, and if she was happy believing unicorns flew when their gazes met, he wasn’t about to contradict her. “I’m glad. But what if—”
“Carter.” She cut him off. The sudden silence jangled with raw emotion and a longing he could feel even with the miles between them. “Please be happy for me. It’s . . . important.”
He swallowed past the lump in his throat. Ah, hell. Did he have a choice? His baby sister was going to get married, and damned if he’d be the one to make her unhappy or ruin her moment. “I am happy for you. I’m just being a bit of a dick because I’m not there to hear the news in person. I miss you, Ally-Cat.”
“Miss you, too,” she said. “If you’d do FaceTime, I could show you the ring.”
He grinned. “You know I hate being on camera. Text me. Is it the size of Texas?”
“Bigger, and badder, and more sparkles than I ever imagined.”
His grin widened. Ally cared little for surface trappings, but she did have a weakness for things that glittered. “Tell me the details. Are you having a long engagement? Party? Is the date set yet? Shall I fly out soon?”
“Actually, we’re getting married this August.”
He fell silent, frowning. “Wait, I thought it took at least a year to plan a wedding. Are you sure you’re not forgetting to tell me something?”
“I’m sure. And yes, usually a big wedding takes time to plan, but we don’t want to wait. We’re in love, and I always dreamed of an outdoor summer wedding by the beach. I put in a call to Avery, and she agreed to take me on, even though it’s only four months to do everything.”
The name triggered a faded memory. “Avery?”
“Avery Sunshine, my best friend from college. Don’t you remember? She practically lived with us one semester when she had problems with her roommate. Please don’t tell me forty is affecting your memory,” she teased.
“Brat. Of course I remember.” Avery Sunshine. How could he forget his sister’s partner in crime? He’d worried so much when Ally began to run a bit wild in college, expressing her inner badass and late-teen angst. When she had brought Avery home one evening to hang out and introduced them, he’d hoped the girl would be the calming influence his sister needed.
He’d been wrong.
Instead, she was the fire that lit the match and made his sister burn. Suddenly, the double As (the ridiculous nickname they’d dubbed themselves) were sneaking alcohol, running around with boys, and turning into social partygoers. Sure, he’d expected some trouble in college—it was part of a ritual he’d read about and studied up on before sending his sister off to Georgetown University. But not at the level where grades were sacrificed.
When she’d brought home a C in biology, he did what needed to be done: He installed a curfew. Insisted on meeting every boy she wanted to date. And did his best to keep Avery Sunshine away from his home.
Her image danced in his mind. She reminded him of Tigger. Wild honey curls that sprang in every direction, bouncing over her shoulders as she zipped around with boundless energy. Flashing quick limbs and a mischievous grin. Stunning hazel eyes that seemed too large in her small face. A scattering of freckles over a pert nose that used to wrinkle whenever she was forced to talk to him.
Yeah, it was instant dislike on both of their parts.
In a crazy way, he’d almost felt like she was competing with him for Ally’s attention, determined to be her favorite. Ridiculous.
He’d tried explaining how important grades were, how they needed to keep their reputations spotless for future jobs and relationships, but she’d just tip up her head like she smelled something bad and pretend to listen.
Once, he’d overheard her call him old. His temper had hit until reality slammed him full force: she was right. He’d been the oldest twenty-six-year-old on the planet. But she still pissed him off.
Carter shook off his thoughts and refocused. “I didn’t think you two spoke anymore. You graduated a decade ago.”
“We’ve always kept in touch. I even went to see her in Cape May once for the weekend. Oh, Carter, you’d love it there. The beach is gorgeous, and there’s these Victorian inns that line the street. Quaint shops and five-star restaurants. It’s magical.”
He rarely got to see the beach. Growing up and working in DC, there wasn’t time or money for vacations, let alone an ocean getaway in New Jersey. “Sounds beautiful. But what does Avery have to do with your wedding?”
“She’s a wedding planner. She runs a business with her two sisters, and I’ve decided that’s where I want to get married. Can you picture an oceanfront ceremony paired with a glamorous reception? Jason loved the idea.”
He struggled to keep up with all the sudden plans. “I’m surprised you don’t want to get married in Texas.”
“I’ve only been here a year, and it’s not yet home. Jason’s family is scattered, so there was nothing holding us back from having a destination wedding. Even better, I’ve decided as soon as the semester ends, I’m heading to Cape May. Since we don’t have much time, and there’s endless decisions to be made, I rented a house for the summer!”
Ally worked as a professor of economics. When she’d graduated with her PhD, Carter realized all the work and sacrifice to give his sister the type of life she deserved had been worth it. “Ally-Cat, I’m so happy you can take a break, but you shouldn’t be stressed planning a wedding. I can pay for any planner you want—the best of the best. It’s sweet you want to give the business to Avery, but this is too important.”
A tinkling laugh rose to his ears. “Sunshine Bridal is the best of the best in Cape May. Avery’s the one doing me a favor by squeezing me into her schedule.”
He couldn’t imagine the girl he’d known running a successful wedding agency. She was too scattered, too intent on pursuing fun at the expense of responsibility. He’d assumed her family had spoiled her rotten, allowing her to waste an expensive education at Georgetown to pursue some fun and experience the novelty of living away from home. Unease settled over him. “Is Jason coming with you, too?”
“No, he has to work, but he’ll fly out for some long weekends. It’ll be exciting to steep myself in wedding details and hang with Avery again. We always have so much fun together.”
“Hmm, yes, you do.”
“You’re worried, aren’t you? Afraid I’m going to get into trouble at some dive bar or get caught skinny-dipping in the ocean?”
“Like the time I had to bail you two out after you were arrested for trespassing at the gardens?”
He could practically see her wince. “Okay, admittedly that was not a good idea. Avery and I just wanted to see what the gardens were like in the moonlight. It was harmless.”