Chasing Shadows (First Wives #3)(36)

Within an hour of arriving, the four of them were whisked off for some spa time.

While sitting in crisp white spa robes with their feet soaking, they sipped wine and gossiped.

“Is Vicki behaving?” Avery asked Trina about her soon to be mother-in-law.

“She’s been quiet.”

“Is that good?” Shannon asked.

Trina shrugged. “I’m tired of trying to figure that woman out. One minute I think things are fine, and the next I swear she’s powdering my sugar cookies with arsenic.”

“Let it go. She’ll come around when she realizes there isn’t any going back,” Lori advised.

“So, Sunday?”

They all laughed.

Avery pulled her foot out of the pulsating water so the woman doing her pedicure could make her toes shine.

“Liam seems like a really nice guy,” Trina told Avery.

“Which begs the question what he wants with me.”

“Where did all this negativity come from?” Lori asked. “What happened to the self-assured woman who marched into my office before Bernie and said, and I quote, ‘He’s lucky to have me. Let’s do this.’?”

“That was different.”

“How?”

“It had an end date,” Avery said without thinking.

“And Liam doesn’t?” Shannon prompted.

“Of course he does. I just don’t know when that is.” She switched feet for the technician. “Saturday night dates end on Sunday . . . weekend dates end Monday morning. Liam isn’t shaking.”

“That’s a good thing,” Trina said.

“It’s because we haven’t had sex.”

“What?” Lori asked.

Avery glanced at the three sets of eyes on her. “I know, right? He’s kissed me three times, and that’s it. It’s not like I haven’t encouraged it.”

“He’s into you.” The technician, who Avery didn’t think was listening, added her two cents.

“I think she’s right.”

“Or he’s gay. Could go either way.”

“He’s not gay,” Avery told the virtual stranger.

“I don’t think that’s the case,” Shannon said. “The way he looks at you is anything but platonic.”

“You’ve known him for what, five hours?”

“Which is the normal time span of your dates, Avery. Maybe you should try and stop worrying about when it will end and enjoy what you have going on now.”

Avery glared at Lori. “He’s here, isn’t he?”

“Bridesmaids always get lucky. I bet he doesn’t bolt after.”

Avery didn’t offer a comment.

“I didn’t get lucky at Lori’s wedding,” Shannon said.

“Let’s try and fix that this weekend.” Avery leaned back to enjoy her foot massage.

“This I want to see,” Lori added.





Chapter Sixteen



Avery said he wouldn’t see her . . . and she wasn’t kidding.

Liam found his time filled with Reed, Wade, and two of the guys from Wade’s band. There were plenty of marital tips offered, a lot of beer, and food. So much food. Liam wondered how the men in Texas stayed in their Levi’s.

The ranch was a massive venue setting up for a colossal wedding.

On Friday, during the rehearsal, Liam stood back and watched as the wedding coordinator directed Avery and the others in their duties.

Wade made time with his future wife when they pretended that the minister had announced them husband and wife.

Trina’s father gave Wade a hard time, entertaining the small crowd.

When Avery walked back down the aisle, this time on the arm of Wade’s best man, a stab of jealousy smacked Liam’s brain.

He reminded himself that the other guy was married.

That didn’t stop Liam from swooping in as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

“Looks like everything is set for tomorrow.”

“I don’t think they forgot anything.”

They took a seat in the back row of the chairs set up for the next day. “Let me know if there is anything I can do.”

She blinked as she looked at him. “Are you having a good time?”

“Weddings are always an adventure.”

“Adventure sounds like drama.”

He shook his head. “None of that from what I can see.”

She turned back to look at the bride and groom, who were talking with the minister. “Let’s hope it stays that way. Trina deserves her day.”

Liam had heard through some of the conversation around him that Trina’s first husband had died. No one had elaborated on the details, and he didn’t feel at liberty to ask.

“At my sister’s wedding, my brother-in-law got hammered.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Fall down, pour him into the car drunk. Michelle told me it took him two days to sober up.”

“What an ass,” Avery said.

“Yeah. They’re divorced now. Took her some time to get over him.”

“Trina cared for her late husband, but it wasn’t anything like her love for Wade. Which is a blessing, all things considered.”