Love on Beach Avenue(15)

Unfortunately, she was still off her game after being completely humiliated by that awful scene he’d witnessed. Even worse? He’d taken charge when she’d floundered, exhibiting a natural command that was part of his DNA. In all her years of dealing with PITAs and planning snafus, she’d never seen such a turnaround from a stern lecture. She’d made a call to Al, the Majesty owner, and found a smaller room at a large discount that satisfied Ms. Pappadelle’s requirements. They’d retreated, chattering away like old friends, leaving her head spinning like those old cartoons with little birdies circling above.

Some cakewalk. Carter had exploited her moment of weakness in order to convince Ally to let him help plan the wedding. Now Avery was stuck with him.

He kept staring, not budging an inch while he waited for her response. The only thing that stopped her from giving him a verbal tongue-lashing was his obvious love for Ally. He’d taken her hand with no pause, his presence a comfort to her friend when she spoke about their mother. It was the only redeeming quality the man had.

Still, she needed to teach him how the game rules worked.

“You like being in charge, don’t you?” she asked, tilting her head to study him.

He smirked. “So do you.”

“When it involves my business and clients, yes. Personally, I think you’re just pissed you’re being forced to listen to me. I have the expertise and knowledge you simply don’t have. It’d be best for all of us moving forward if you stepped back and let me guide Ally without your interference. I promise to take good care of her.”

He gave a deep laugh, and her nerve endings tingled. Bastard.

It was eighty degrees out and the man was dressed in a slim tailored suit like he worked on Wall Street. The charcoal fabric fit him snugly, emphasizing his lean, whipcord length. He radiated a calm intensity that had always thrown her off, even when she was young. Those misty blue-and-gray eyes seemed to hold all the answers, even hidden behind glasses. As if the deeper and longer he stared at her, the more secrets he’d catch. As if he were imagining things she had no access to but wished for a hint.

Back then, the only thing she’d focused on was her irritation with his unfair demands on Ally. No boys, no frat parties, no staying out past curfew. No drinking, no smoking, and no fun. He’d treated Ally like a high school student rather than a college woman, so Avery had made sure to drag her friend on adventures and allow her to experience life.

Now her brother wanted to do the same thing with her wedding.

Too bad there was a new sheriff in town.

He pushed his glasses up his nose and regarded her with disdain. “Taking care of her once ended with my sister in jail. Remember that? When I specifically asked you to promise you’d be home by midnight for her biology test the next day?”

“I was nineteen then! What do you think I’m going to do before her wedding? Get her arrested for drunken misbehavior? Propositioning a stripper? Cheating at cards?”

“All of those are possibilities,” he said dryly. “After all, I just witnessed a bride war on your front steps.”

Those glasses only made him look stodgier and intimidating. Hadn’t he heard of contact lenses?

“It’s simple. I don’t trust you, Avery. I never did. There’s only one person who can take the best care of my sister.” A grim smile rested on his lips. “Me.”

She growled low in her throat, fisted her hands, and almost blasted a tirade at his arrogant declaration, but Ally came back through the door.

“Jason says hello to both of you,” she sang merrily, flopping back in the chair next to her brother. “What’d I miss?”

Carter smiled and draped his arm across the back of her chair. “Not much. Avery was just telling me how happy she was to work with both of us on the wedding. She understands how important me being the man of honor is for you and felt I should be involved in every step of the planning. That’s okay with you, right?”

“Yes! I love that we’re doing this together,” Ally said.

Carter threw Avery a triumphant look, and she smothered a groan. Damn, he was good.

Avery had no choice but to smile back, pretending she was on board. Being older, he had more experience than she did in the business world, honing his slick moves to get a client to do what he wanted. But this wasn’t her first rodeo. She reminded herself she’d handled far worse clients. He might be a challenge, but she’d win eventually. For now, she’d let him believe he’d bested her.

“This is going to be so much fun,” she said, smiling even brighter. “Our three most time-sensitive tasks are booking the venue, getting your dress, and picking out invitations. I contacted Vera’s Bridal, and she can fit you in Wednesday at two.”

“What if Vera doesn’t have what she wants?” Carter asked.

“I doubt Ally will have a problem finding the perfect dress there.” She smiled at her friend. “Vera has an amazing assortment of dresses in various styles you can get right off the rack, and she does all the alterations. As you probably know, extensive changes or delivery issues can be detrimental in wedding planning. We wouldn’t want you to end up without your perfect dress because we ignored the time crunch. You didn’t have your heart set on some glamorous Alexander McQueen from Paris, did you?”

Ally laughed. “God, no. There are a few styles I’d like to try out, but I’m open.”