Chapter 29 Avery #2
They all turned to look. He was right.
“Let’s go.” Tanner handed his empty glass to one of the waitstaff and Avery did the same. They followed his mom and Henry to the narrow wooden bridge stretching over a shallow section of river, with Dex and Reid behind them.
Bel waved from a row a few back from the front, where she’d saved a couple of seats for them.
Sliding onto the chair next to her, Avery left Tanner the seat next to the aisle, so no one would jar his arm.
He took up a lot of space as it was. Even once he’d shifted to try to give her a little more room, his shoulder still brushed hers, his thigh hot against the satin of her dress.
“Sorry,” he whispered, although he didn’t look sorry at all.
“It’s OK,” she replied, even though it absolutely wasn’t.
His fingers gripped the Order of Service and Avery found herself swamped by the memory of them threading through her hair, stroking her skin, and dipping beneath her bikini bottoms. Despite the temperature climbing toward eighty degrees, a current traveled the length of her spine and she shivered.
Tanner dipped his chin to study her. “You alright?”
“I’m fine,” Avery assured him, forcing herself to look ahead.
Johnnie stood at the front of the ceremony site with Griff, and he gave her a chin lift when she caught his eye, but she couldn’t read his expression from this distance.
As music began to play, heads turned, and Savannah started the short walk down the aisle, accompanied by her father.
She took happy, confident strides, her dress a sleek and understated column of white stretch crepe.
When Avery caught her breath at the sweetness of the moment, Tanner’s hand crept from his own thigh to hers and he kept it there throughout the ceremony.
Hundreds of lights, strung between the beams, glowed like stars against the high vaulted roof as night set in. More LEDs encircled each supporting column and a central chandelier twinkled over the dance floor.
“It’s like fairyland!” Gemma raised spread arms to the ceiling, swirling in her floaty floral jumpsuit. “I love it.”
Avery agreed, tipping her chin to gaze upward. “It’s magical.”
“When I grow up, I’m going to have a wedding just like this one.” Bel drained her glass decisively.
“Want another?” Avery asked.
“Mm, please.”
“Gem?”
“I’d love one. Need a hand?” Gemma offered.
“I’ve got it. Back in a minute.” Avery headed for the bar, skirting the group of guys chatting in a huddle.
Catching Tanner’s eye, she gestured with the empty glasses to show she was taking a trip to the bar. He looked like he might offer to help but quickly realized his carrying power was limited, and a flash of frustration darkened his eyes.
His gaze followed her across the barn; Avery felt it like a heated brand on the back of her neck.
“Can I have a word?” Johnnie’s voice near her ear was unexpected.
She startled, then laughed. “God, sorry! I didn’t see you there.”
“Maybe outside? If you don’t mind?” He was already taking the empty glasses from her hand. “It’s a bit loud in here.”
Avery couldn’t think of a reason why not. “OK.”
It was a balmy evening, summer at its best. A smattering of people mingled in the softly lit space—mainly guests who wanted to hold a conversation without raising their voices, and a few others who were having a smoke.
Avery spotted Cassidy and Henry sitting at a table with Savannah’s mom and dad and a handful of older couples. Merriment drifted on threads of dusk.
Johnnie smiled. He stood closer than strictly necessary and she took a few steps back until it felt more comfortable.
“We haven’t had a chance to catch up since the Bach Bash.”
Avery blinked at the statement. “No, we haven’t. How’s things?”
“Yeah, not bad. You?”
Oh, you know. A tree fell on my workshop and I had the best sex of my life with a guy who’s no good for me.
“Same. All OK.” Avery played with the charm around her neck, restless with the sticky conversation. “And Mia? How’s she? You two still seeing each other?”
“Yeah, she’s fine. It’s all good.” Johnnie gazed around at the nearby guests before turning back. His mouth lifted in an expression she recognized. “Just maybe a bit . . . mainstream.”
Studying Johnnie’s face, Avery marveled at how ordinary he looked compared to Tanner. How much less he sparkled, despite his apparent efforts to charm.
“I miss you, Ave. I liked it when we hooked up.”
Wow, what an accolade. She almost rolled her eyes out loud. It was time to shut him down.
“Look, it’s cool to catch up and I’m glad things aren’t awkward between us.
” Lies. This was the epitome of awkwardness.
Avery wrapped her arms across her body as a slight breeze drifted in.
“But we’ve both moved on now. I’m not looking to rekindle anything, so it would be better for you to concentrate on your relationship with Mia.
Things you don’t have often seem shinier than the things you do. ”
Johnnie’s eyes narrowed at her well-meant words. “Sure you’re not just blinded by all the shiny parts of Tanner Stone, Ave? The money, the house, the lifestyle? He looks pretty damn golden from where I stand.”
You don’t know the half of it. He is utterly golden.
“That’s unwarranted. And not a pretty look on you,” she said coolly, taking a step away. “I’m a free agent, Johnnie. I don’t have to answer to you.”
“Drink, Stretch?”
Tanner stood a couple yards away. He held a wine glass carefully in his right hand, a bottle of beer dangling from his left.
“It’s a free bar. I could have got you a drink,” Johnnie muttered under his breath.
“You didn’t, though. Tanner did. Don’t be a dick.” Avery turned her back on him and headed for the man who called to her like an oasis in the desert.
Away from Johnnie, who was just another sand dune.