Chapter 10 #2
“Not horrible.” Her sister shrugged. “It usually hits first thing in the morning. The only time I feel it later in the day is when I’ve let too much time pass between snacks or meals. Other than that and sore boobs, I’ve felt pretty good.”
Alex chuckled. “Well if you change your mind, or think of anything else y’all need, let me know. I’m happy to stop and pick up whatever.”
“Thanks, Al. And thanks for keeping our secret a little longer. Garrett wanted to tell everyone all at once, but you’re my sister.” Avery shrugged. “Apart from my husband, I wanted you to be the first to know.”
More emotions bubbled up, but she kept them mostly at bay as she pulled her sister in for another hug. “Love you bunches, Aves. You’re going to be an amazing mom.”
“And you’re going to be the coolest aunt on the planet.”
Grinning behind her sister’s back, Alex let out a sarcastic, “Duh.”
Both women laughed as the hug ended and Avery grabbed her purse from the chair to Alex’s right.
“Okay.” She sniffled. “That’s enough mushy stuff. I’ll see you at the house tonight.”
“I’ll be there with bells on.”
“Great.” Her sister turned and started walking for the door but stopped short before looking back. “Oh, I almost forgot. Colt’s in town, so he’ll be at the house, too.”
Alex’s heart kicked hard and her lungs ceased to move. “Colt’s in Charlotte?”
Avery nodded. “He got back a couple of days ago, I think. Apparently he’s working some kind of deal for one of his local clients. Anyway I figured I should probably warn you.”
“Warn me?” Alex played dumb despite the sudden spike in her pulse. “Why would you feel the need to warn me about Colt coming to your house?”
Aside from the fact that he and I had mind-blowing sex two weeks ago, and we haven’t seen or talked to each other since.
Her sister didn’t know. She couldn’t. There was no way Avery could have found out about that night.
Unless Colt broke his promise and opened his big, fat mouth.
“Come on, Al.” Avery shot her a look. “This is me, remember? I know how you feel about Colt.”
Oh, I really don’t think you do.
“I’m fine,” she lied. “His being there doesn’t affect me in the least.”
“Whatever. The guy jumps at the chance to get under your skin. But you know he only does it because you make it so easy.”
“I do not.” Her brows dipped inward.
Avery chuckled. “Sorry, sis. But you do. Anyway”—she waved a quick hand through the air—“I just thought I’d give you a heads up. I know Colt can be a lot sometimes, but deep down he’s a good guy. Plus I’d really like for tonight to be completely drama free.”
Was he, though? A good guy?
The jury’s still out on that one.
Alex assured the other woman by raising a dutiful palm. “Don’t worry. I promise to be on my best behavior.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you in a couple of hours. And remember, when we make the big announcement, you have to act surprised.”
A ball of dread formed deep inside her gut as she watched her sister leave. It wasn’t as if she expected to never see Colt again. He was a permanent part of her sister’s family. Alex just hadn’t expected to run into him again so soon.
She’d see his handsome face. Hear the deep rumble of his laugh. Alex would see his smile and be forced to pretend as if she didn’t know exactly how his lips tasted.
But she’d do it. For Avery’s and Garrett’s sakes, she would act like everything was A-okay. On the inside, however, Alex knew it wasn’t, and she feared it never would be again.
Two hours and thirty-seven minutes later, she was pulling into the paved driveway leading to Avery and Garrett’s home. The white, one-story craftsman was beautifully simple. And with three bedrooms, two baths, and a big back yard, there was plenty of space for their family to grow.
Putting the car in park, Alex cut the engine and took in the scenery from behind the windshield. Her lips curved as she imagined a little mini-Avery or Garrett running around in the grass. Just as quickly, however, that same smile began to fade.
She was beyond happy for Avery. Truly, she was. But the fact that her younger sister was starting a family reminded Alex she wasn’t anywhere close.
You don’t want any of that, remember? You’re Miss Independent who doesn’t need a man in your life to be happy.
It was true, she’d spent the better part of the last five years avoiding any semblance of a serious relationship at all costs. Oh, there was the occasional date, but it never went beyond that, thanks to Alex’s carefully constructed walls.
No strings meant no pain, and until recently, that had been enough. Lately, however, she found herself wondering what it would like to have more.
You won’t find it sitting alone in your car and staring out the damn window.
She wouldn’t find it inside, either. And since she couldn’t stay out here all night—
Alex unbuckled her seatbelt and reached over the console to grab her purse and two bottles of wine from the passenger seat. She climbed out, shutting her door with her hip before making her way up the driveway.
Her slightly heeled boots sounded soft against the asphalt as her mind worked through the plan.
Quick and painless. That’s how she’d do it. Like yanking a band-aid from her skin. When she saw Colt, she’d smile, say hi, and move on. After that, Alex planned to avoid him like the freaking plague until it was time to go home.
She reached the front door, not bothering to knock before pulling it open and walking inside. Muted voices could be heard from the back of the house, in the direction of the kitchen.
Before she rounded the corner, Alex sucked in a long, deep breath and reminded herself that tonight wasn’t about her. This was about Avery and Garrett, and the exciting news they planned to share.
You can do this. Just go in there and act as if nothing in your life has changed.
Alex rounded the corner, and with a feigned smile on her face, she asked, “Did I hear somebody say wine?”