Brown-Eyed Girl (Travis Family #4)(28)

Grateful for the distraction, I said, “Hollis told me he needs help with ideas on how to propose to Bethany.”

“Why would he need help with that? All he has to do is ask the question and give her a ring.”

“Nowadays people make the proposal into an event.” The soles of my feet were sweating. I hoped I wasn’t leaving damp footprints on the glass. “You can take someone on a hot-air balloon ride and propose in midair, or go scuba diving and propose underwater, or even hire a flash mob to sing and dance.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Joe said flatly.

“Being romantic is ridiculous?”

“No, turning a private moment into a Broadway musical is ridiculous.” We stopped, and Joe turned me to face him. “You can open your eyes now.”

“We’re there?”

“We’re there.”

When I saw that we were safe on solid granite flooring, I let out a sigh of relief. Discovering that my fingers were still wrapped tightly around his wrist, I forced my grip to loosen. “Thank you,” I whispered.

He leveled a steady gaze at me, and I writhed inwardly as I understood that before the evening was over, we were going to talk.

“I’ll get my camera,” he said, and went back to the skyroom.

“Here you go,” Jack said, handing me the evening pumps and clutch bag.

“Thanks.” I set the shoes on the floor and stepped into them. “I think that qualified as my first nervous breakdown,” I said with chagrin.

“A little nervous breakdown never hurt anyone,” Jack assured me. “I gave ’em to my mom all the time.”

“You’ve given me one or two,” Ella informed him.

“You knew what you were getting into, marrying a Travis.”

“Yes, I knew.” Ella smiled and reached over to adjust his tie. “After something this traumatic,” she told me cheerfully, “you need to self-medicate. Let’s go sit somewhere and have a drink.”

“I would love to,” I said, “but I can’t. I have to wait here for Joe’s cousin Ryan.”

“Have you met him before?”

“No, and I have no idea what he looks like.”

“I’ll point him out to you,” Ella said. “Although the family resemblance is unmistakable. Big, hairy, lots of attitude.”

Jack bent to brush a casual kiss on her lips. “That’s just how you like ’em,” he said. “Want me to get you some champagne?”

“Yes, please.”

Jack glanced at me. “Same for you, Avery?”

Although I would have loved some, I shook my head reluctantly. “Thank you, but I’d better stay as clearheaded as possible.”

As he left, Ella turned a friendly gaze to me. “How long have you and Joe known each other?”

“We don’t,” I said quickly. “I mean… we met several days ago at a wedding I’d planned, but we’re not… you know…”

“He’s interested,” she told me. “I could tell from the way he was looking at you.”

“I’m too busy to even think about going out with someone.”

She gave me a patently sympathetic look. “Avery, I’m an advice columnist. I write about this stuff all the time. No one is ever too busy for a relationship. Katy Perry’s busy, but she dates, right? A-Rod’s busy, but he has a new girlfriend every month. So I’m guessing you were burned in your last relationship. You’ve lost faith in the entire male half of our species.”

There was something so perky and engaging about her that I couldn’t help smiling. “That about sums it up.”

“Then you need to —” She broke off as Joe returned with his camera.

“Ryan’s heading over here,” he said. “I just saw him get off the elevator.”

A tall, well-dressed man approached us. His thick hair had been clipped conservatively short, the locks the color of dark chocolate. With his high cheekbones and icehouse-blue eyes, he was remarkably handsome, more austere and polished than the Travis brothers. He possessed a self-contained quality, with no hint of the Travises’ consummate charm or easy humor, but rather a sense that he was a man who would let his guard down only reluctantly, if at all.

“Hi, Ella,” he said as he reached us, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Joe.”

“How’s it going, Rye?” Joe asked as they shook hands.

“I’ve been better.” Ryan turned to me, his expression masked with politeness. “You’re the wedding planner?”

“Avery Crosslin.”

His grip was firm but careful as we shook hands. “We’ll have to make this quick,” Ryan said. “I only have a few minutes before Bethany tracks me down.”

“Of course. Would you like to talk in private? I’m not familiar with the house —”

“Not necessary,” Ryan said. “Joe and Ella are family.” His gaze was cool. “What has Hollis told you about my situation?”

I answered readily. “She said that you’re going to propose to her daughter, Bethany, and you wanted to talk to me about ideas for the proposal.”

“I don’t need proposal ideas,” Ryan said flatly. “Hollis only said that because she’s afraid I won’t go through with it. She and David are trying to hold my feet to the fire.”