“‘The Way You Look Tonight.’ A classic. Can’t go wrong with Sinatra.”
“But it’s so overdone! Remember how he used to play it loud and make me step on his feet to try and teach me to dance?”
“Hokey.”
“And then he’d begin waltzing with Mom and tell us the story of how they met for the billionth time.”
The memories flickered before him. All of them laughing together and teasing as his parents moved gracefully around the small kitchen. A bittersweet longing pricked. “I remember.”
She sighed. “Yeah, Dad was more sensitive than Mom. I always wondered if that heart attack was just his sadness over not being able to picture a life without Mom in it. Like he’d decided to give up. I loved him so much, but he was never—”
“Strong,” he finished, tilting his head and studying her. Something shifted and broke inside him, almost as if he sensed that within Ally’s words lay the answer, but Avery peeked around the corner and smiled.
“It’s time.”
He met his sister’s gaze and smiled at her. “Come on, gorgeous. Jason’s waiting for you.”
He escorted her outside and toward the beach. The day was hot and clear, with a light ocean breeze that kept it from being faint-worthy. A gazebo threaded with flowers was framed against the ocean, and the officiant stood behind a white pillar, his black book clutched in his hand. Avery had set up a runner pinned down by various giant stone shells. He watched the wedding party walk down the aisle, flanked by white chairs filled with friends and family, all beaming and murmuring at the sheer beauty of the event.
When everyone had reached their places, the music piping in through speakers changed to the traditional “Wedding March.” Ally squeezed his arm, and he stared into her beloved face, memorizing the moment. Then he began walking her toward Jason.
His future brother-in-law beamed down at his bride. Lifting her veil, Carter pressed a kiss to her cheek, then took her hand and placed it in Jason’s.
As Carter stepped back into line, Jason gave him a nod, the serious intensity of his face bestowing the recognition of what Carter had done for both of them. The kindness of the gesture gave him both comfort and pride.
The ceremony was brief. Applause broke out when they were declared husband and wife, and the crowd whooped when they kissed.
As they filed back off the beach, he looked for Avery, knowing she’d be in the background, ready to step in to solve any crisis. The woman amazed him on a constant basis. Ever since the night of the bachelorette party, their relationship had changed. Barriers had been ripped away, and an easy intimacy now flowed between them. Their days were packed with endless details for Ally’s wedding, but at night, she snuck to his house and spent the hours wrapped in his arms till dawn, making love until they collapsed together in exhaustion.
Carter finally caught sight of her off to the side, blinking furiously through tears as she watched the happy couple greet well-wishers. The longing on her face caught him like a sucker punch, knocking him slightly off-balance. What scared him the most was the immediate urge to walk over and take her in his arms, claiming her for himself. He imagined uttering his vows. Sliding a ring over her finger. Kissing her as the words I now pronounce you husband and wife drifted in the air.
He jerked back, tearing his gaze from her. What was happening to him? He’d never had a flash like that. Weddings usually caused old anger and pain to stir up inside him, making him shut down in order to control his emotions. Now he was imagining Avery in a white wedding dress, her face aglow as she stared at him and promised to be his.
Panic struck. He shook his head and concentrated on casual chatter with the guests, trying to lock the vision away for good.
But like Pandora’s box, he wondered how long it’d be before he snuck another peek.
The entire wedding was a dream for Avery, as both Ally’s best friend and a wedding planner. She’d never enjoyed a ceremony or reception as much. Her friend was a calm, happy bride, full of joy. The bridesmaids were now like family, and Noelle, Maddie, and Judith consistently tried to drag her away from her duties and get her to dance. The vendors had no issues, and Gabe had cut out early for a rare night off, his presence not even needed.
Every detail they’d incorporated brought a sense of beauty to the event, from the flowers to the tea-towel favors to the stunning cake and special dessert bar. Pierce had outdone himself with the photos. He’d arranged the wedding party on a magnificent staircase under a glittering chandelier, and captured the more natural shots of Jason carrying Ally into the ocean. The endless buffet of specially created tapas rotating throughout the night was a huge hit with the guests, who enjoyed dancing more than a formal sit-down. Knowing Carter had worked on each detail with her made everything more special. It was as if they’d created Ally’s wedding together, the two people who’d loved her forever.
Midnight grew close, and the DJ spun into the Donna Summer classic “Last Dance” while everyone crammed onto the floor for one final celebration. Smiling, Avery headed toward the bridal suite to begin packing up.
A warm hand wrapped around her wrist. She turned and found Carter staring down at her, his pewter eyes gleaming with intensity. “Dance with me, Avery.”
A shudder shook through her. She meant to tell him it wasn’t a good idea with the entire wedding party on the floor, but the words never left her lips. Instead, she allowed him to lead her out and take her in his arms.
The slow strains gave them time to press close together. His breath stirred her cheek. His hands brushed her hips, causing heat to trickle in her blood. The delicious scent of ocean cologne mixed with citrus and expensive whiskey. “Thank you, sweetheart,” he said.
Startled, she widened her eyes. “For what?”
“For giving my sister the wedding of her dreams. For being patient with me. For being you.”
She melted against him, and a sigh skittered from her lips. “You can be so smooth,” she said teasingly. “Who would’ve thought there was such a charmer under all those asshole moves?”
His laugh rumbled from his chest, deep and sexy. “I needed to ensnare you with a challenge. Make you work to find the gold, right?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Oh, that’s awful. Trust me, robot man. Women like a nice guy up front. Better to know that the next time.”
“Don’t need a next time.” He lowered his voice. “Just want to dazzle the woman I’m with.”
Her heart stuttered, and for one endless moment, she was caught up in the heat of his eyes, the promise of his arms holding her close, and the fragility of the promise he’d uttered. But she didn’t have time to dwell or analyze. The slow rhythm built, morphing into the classic blaring dance song as the Queen of Disco belted out the words everyone knew by heart.
With a wink, Carter spun her out of his arms and fell into the steps of a fast dance. With grace and strength and the perfect blend of humor, they threw themselves into the music and enjoyed the final pounding beat. The wedding party surrounded the bride and groom, stomping their feet and pumping their hands in the air, and Avery got caught up in the revelry, enjoying being part of the enthusiastic celebration of love.
It was a good hour before everyone finally left the reception. Sliding off her shoes and throwing them in her oversize bag, Avery headed outside, saying a few goodbyes to the leftover guests, who spoke about moving the party over to the Boiler Room at Congress Hall.