Love on Beach Avenue(65)
Curiosity sparked in the man’s pale-green eyes, but he just nodded. He wore his dark hair long and tied back at the nape of his neck. He was built stocky and solid, but moved with grace and speed with a camera in his hand. “You must know Avery well, then. She doesn’t trust many people to work a wedding, even as an assistant.”
Pleasure speared through him. He liked the idea of her trusting him. “How long have you been working with her?” he asked.
“I grew up with her sister Taylor. Been part of the Sunshine family forever. Seemed natural to work for them as their primary photographer after college. Are you here till the wedding?”
He relaxed, sensing no interest in Avery from Pierce other than as a friend and business partner. “I rented a house until Labor Day. Gave myself some vacation time after the wedding before I get back to DC.”
“Nice. Well, I better get back to work. Listen, why don’t you stop by my office this week? I’m free late afternoons. I know your sister wasn’t able to see my portfolio personally, so I’d be happy to go through them with you and answer any questions. We can grab a beer afterward.”
“Thanks, I will.”
After Pierce walked away, Carter decided to go look for Avery in case she needed him. The reception was being held at Congress Hall, a pale yellow-and-white building that sprawled out on endless acreage. The hotel boasted rich dark woods, expensive antiques, and an old-world elegance that made it perfect for celebrations.
He searched the reception hall and headed down the stairs, where the loud music faded. He was just about to turn the corner when a faint sob rose to his ears. Alert, he backtracked and found the flower girl curled up on one of the chairs. If he remembered correctly, her name was Brianna. Knees up, her pretty face streaked with tears, she gulped and wiped at her cheeks when she spotted him.
His heart stopped. “Sweetheart, are you okay? Do you need me to find someone for you? Your mom or dad?”
She shook her head hard. The floral crown had long ago been disheveled and now lay drunkenly to the side. Her hair was tangled and her shoes were kicked off, and her dress held a streak of chocolate from the cake. “No. Mommy and Daddy are dancing with Aunt Selena. And I don’t wanna talk about it.”
He knelt down in front of her. “Okay. Your name is Brianna, right?”
She nodded.
“My name is Carter. It’s my job here to make sure everyone is safe and has a good time at the wedding. But you don’t look happy, which means I failed at my job, and that makes me pretty sad. Are you sure I can’t help?”
A small frown creased her brow. Big blue eyes stared back at him.
He assumed a sad face and patiently waited.
The little girl lifted her head, opened her mouth, and pointed. “I lost my toot.”
He smothered a smile at her mispronunciation. She was so damn cute with the bloody hole in the front. “That’s wonderful news! Now the tooth fairy can come and visit you tonight.”
Her face screwed up, and she began crying again.
Shit. What had he done?
He kept calm, but if she kept crying, he really needed to get her parents. “Sweetheart, what’s the matter? Does your mouth hurt?”
“I can’t find my toot!” she sobbed. “I lost it when it fell out!”
The pieces of the puzzle came together. Trying not to laugh, he cleared his throat. “I see. And you’re afraid the tooth fairy won’t come visit because you have no tooth to put under your pillow?”
She nodded miserably. “And I don’t want to tell Mommy and Daddy I lost it, because I lose things all the time, and sometimes they get mad. But I looked and I looked, and it’s gone forever.”
He nodded. “I understand. But I know for a fact your mom and dad won’t get mad about the tooth. When I was little, the same thing happened to me. I was playing baseball, and when I got home, my tooth was gone but I couldn’t find it anywhere. I cried, too, but then my mom told me all I had to do was write a note and explain it to the tooth fairy.”
Her mouth fell open in fascination. She leaned forward, her watery blue eyes blinking. “A note?”
“Yes. If we explain you lost it, the tooth fairy will still come visit. How about I get some paper and a pen and we write it together?”
“Yes! I know how to write my alphabet and a lot of words, but I may need help with the big, big ones.”
He smiled. “I’m good at big words. Now, let me get you some tissues, and I’ll be right back with paper, okay?”
“’Kay.”
He grabbed tissues from the bathroom, and asked for a pad and pen from the front-desk attendant. He figured it’d be easier to keep her occupied while her parents enjoyed themselves, and when they were done, he’d explain. He returned quickly, dragged over another chair so they were seated side by side, and gave her the pad. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
“Okay, let’s start with ‘Dear Tooth Fairy . . .’”
Where was he?
She’d scoured the main reception area and the bar, but Carter was nowhere to be found. She wanted to let him know he could go home, but so far, he’d disappeared. Had he left already? That didn’t seem like him, though, not without letting her know.
Her heels tapped on the polished floors as she wandered past the reception area, and the sound of his deep voice echoed down a side corridor. She walked around the corner and stopped short.