Love on Beach Avenue(26)
“Understood. If your assistant can give me a list, I’ll handle it. I’ll be finished with my project this week, and I can devote the rest of the summer to dealing with these details. Honestly, it’s not a problem.”
Slowly, the horror of his true intention unfolded. Her fork dropped and clattered to her plate. Lucy jumped and peered over the edge of her carrier to see what was going on. “You don’t want me to plan Ally’s wedding,” she said, the shock still barreling through her. “You still don’t think I can handle it.”
The coldness was back. Like a turtle crawling back into his shell, he surrounded himself with an icy distance and disapproval. “I’m only trying to take care of my sister.”
“So am I. As her damn wedding planner. You may think you know everything, but you have no idea what’s involved with a wedding. Do twenty-four hours in my shoes and you’d be in full retreat, crying like a little baby.”
His gaze narrowed. “I doubt it.”
“I don’t. Just because you got lucky with a dress and one lousy suggestion for the rehearsal dinner doesn’t mean diddly-squat.”
“Diddly-squat, huh? You’re quite the linguist.”
Her voice shook. “You’re quite the control freak.”
His jaw locked. “Once again, your penchant for drama is not a good look. If you’re losing it now, how will you deal with the multiple crises you keep telling me happen at a wedding?”
She tried desperately to remind herself he was a client—the ManOH—and she couldn’t lose her temper for Ally’s sake. She dropped her voice to a harsh whisper. “I’m giving you a free pass today for your sister’s sake, but be warned, robot man. You want a war? You’re on the wrong battlefield, because I have the home advantage. And I’ve never lost a skirmish.”
He sat back, staring at her with renewed interest. “Robot man, huh?” he finally said. “Interesting. Threats using war metaphors aren’t very original, though, but I appreciate the visual effect. I’m more of a bottom-line person, so I’ll get to the point. You’re not getting rid of me, Avery. I’m going to be in this every step of the way until my sister walks down the aisle. You can either accept it gracefully or keep having these little tantrums, which is only wasting a good amount of energy you can put into planning the perfect wedding. I’d advise the former.”
She shook with the effort of not launching across the table and throttling him. He was unlike any ManOH she’d ever dealt with—worse than awful MOBs and PITA brides. He was all of them encompassed in one giant nightmare she couldn’t get rid of.
And he’d be here the entire summer. In her face.
All the goodwill from their initial conversation drained away, and she was left with one goal in mind: destroy him without ruining Ally’s wedding.
On cue, her friend came back, but her face didn’t reflect the happiness of a bride who’d just booked her reception venue. She slid into the chair, pocketed her phone, and faced them with a worried look. “I just got terrible news. Jason’s mother broke her leg.”
“Oh no, is she all right?” Avery asked, reaching out to squeeze her hand.
“Yes, she’s home now in a cast, but she needs round-the-clock care for the next few weeks until she’s able to get around on crutches. Jason can’t get the time off because of the wedding and honeymoon, and his brother just had a new baby. Maddie started a new job in California, so she can’t help, either. It’s a mess.”
“Can you hire a nurse to stay with her?” Carter suggested.
“We were discussing it, but honestly? She hates dealing with strangers in her house due to anxiety. Jason and I were talking, and we think the best solution is for me to go back home and stay with her until the wedding.”
Avery and Carter were silent for a while. Her mind raced through the rest of the summer, quickly sorting out what still needed to be decided on. “I think that’s a good idea,” she said firmly. “You’ll only worry if you stay, and I handle most of my clients’ weddings virtually, anyway. Like I said, we’ve decided on the most important things. I’ll put together a spreadsheet, and we’ll do the rest via email, text, FaceTime, whatever works for you. I got this.”
Ally smiled in gratitude and let out a breath. “Thank you. I loved the idea of spending the summer here, but she needs me now. And Jason’s mom is like . . .” She trailed off, emotion choking her throat.
“A second mom,” Carter finished, nodding his head. “I get it. She’s lucky to have you as a future daughter-in-law. I agree with Avery. We can handle the rest of the wedding planning together.”
A slow roaring began in her head. Gripping the edge of the table, she tried to mask the desperation tinged in her voice. “Um, there’s really no reason for Carter to stay, either,” she said, directing her words at Ally. “It’d be a waste of his time when I can speak directly with you about the rest of the details.”
Ally turned to her brother. “She’s right, you know. If I’m leaving, there’s no need for you to spend the summer away from work.”
Carter smiled, lifting up his hands. “I already reassigned the rest of my projects until the end of the summer. Besides, you were right, Ally-Cat. I haven’t had a vacation for years and could use some beach time. I’ll stay here and help Avery. That way, it’ll be like you’re still here. I’ll make sure to involve myself in every detail.”