Love on Beach Avenue Read online

  Her past relationships had been basically healthy, but she’d never fallen in love. Caring and deep affection? Yes. Passion? Yes. But not the vibrating knowledge in her core that told her she’d met her soul mate. She dreamed of the day she’d finally find her true companion. She didn’t want a string of one-night stands or men who didn’t believe in commitment. When she fell, it needed to be with a man who was brave enough to love her back and say it out loud—preferably with a ring and on bended knee not too long afterward.

  That’s why she loved all the trappings and rituals that revolved around a wedding ceremony, even with the craziness popping up amid difficult relatives, jealous bridesmaids, other PITAs (Pain in the Asses), and endless minutiae. It all became worth it each time Avery watched someone walk down the aisle with all that wild hope, joy, and love etched on his or her face. Knowing she was a part of their permanent memories gave her a slice of immortality.

  Still, her parents moaned about her pickiness. Her sisters rolled their eyes at her stubborn belief in perfection. Her friends begged her to freeze her eggs, just in case. But she didn’t care.

  She’d wait for the one.

  He’d come eventually. And he didn’t have to save her or give her some stupid glass slipper. She just wanted a man who saw all aspects of her—including her crazy—and loved her anyway. She wanted a man who’d be in it with her wholeheartedly: the bad, the good, and all the in-between.

  Maybe that’s why she’d become the natural leader of the group. It felt good to be respected by her sisters, but sometimes, she’d love to just take a long break and let them make the important decisions for a while. She hadn’t taken a real vacation in years. As her parents had begun to slow down and make numerous mistakes, she’d taken the helm and worked endlessly to stave off any disasters. By the time her parents felt it was safe to finally leave, Avery had transitioned to director, adviser, and everything in between for Sunshine Bridal.

  She pushed aside the thought and mentally shrugged. She loved her job and rarely bitched. It was only the beginning of April, and the burgeoning wedding season had just begun. For the next six months, there’d barely be time to breathe, let alone try and analyze the unspoken change in dynamics she sensed with her sisters.

  She offered a smile. “You’re right. Let’s skip the rundown and call it a night. Bella, did you need help with Zoe tomorrow?”

  “No, she’s got a birthday party, and Daisy’s taking her afterward for a playdate.” Daisy was a close friend of the family. She’d been pregnant the same time as Bella, and they’d raised their daughters together.

  “Good. Hey, T, want to have dinner and go over the résumés for the new hires? I culled the best but would love to have a second opinion before I begin calling them in for interviews. We need to be prepared if we’re losing Gabe as an assistant soon.”

  Her youngest sister slid off the couch and scowled. “No.”

  Avery blinked. “Why not?”

  “Because I’m not working tomorrow, psycho. I have something called a date. Maybe you’ve heard of it?”

  Used to Taylor’s sarcasm, she ignored the sting and tried to be nice. “Oh, with who?”

  “Just a guy I met at a bar. No one important.”

  “Do you want to meet for drinks before your date? It won’t take long.”

  Taylor groaned, shaking her head and heading toward the door. “No. I want to spend the time prepping to look hot and not thinking about work on my one lousy day off. You should try it sometime. Does wonders for your personality.”

  “Really? I’m not seeing the evidence,” Avery said innocently.

  Bella giggled, but took up the defense. She was the peacekeeping middle child and loyal to her role. “T’s right. Once the high season hits, you won’t be able to have much fun or socialize. Go do something crazy, Avery.”

  Annoyance flashed. She had no time for crazy. Her schedule was crammed, her phone buzzed nonstop, and even her sleep was disturbed by crazed brides and grooms who had midnight panic attacks and figured their wedding coordinator was the perfect person to talk to.

  She knew Taylor wasn’t committed to the business long term, and Bella had her daughter to care about, but ganging up on her because she wasn’t dating or doing reckless things was not cool. Was she the only one who cared that the family business needed to come first? That everything their parents had worked for and cultivated was important? Fun could come later, when their bank accounts were fat and they had solidified themselves as the premier wedding planners for the Jersey shore—not just Cape May. Yes, they’d achieved some success, but there was always a competitor ready to take over. They needed to be consistently sharp and on their game. The only way to accomplish this was by working their asses off, and that meant missing an occasional day off.

  She opened her mouth, then firmly shut it. No. She wouldn’t go on a tirade when they were tired and cranky. Best to attack it in the brightness of the morning, after a few cups of coffee. “I am,” she said brightly. “This meeting is adjourned. I’m getting my ass to bed. Personally, I think that’s enough crazy from me.”

  She marched past her sisters, the first in line to leave and not even checking to see if the front door was locked behind her.

  Yeah. Take that crazy.

  Chapter Two

  “I’m getting married!”

  Carter Ross pulled his cell phone away from his ear and stared at the offending object. His usual steady heartbeat began exploding from his chest, and he wondered if all those damn chocolate croissants he loved so much had finally done their job.

  He was having a heart attack.

  Gripping the edge of his sleek walnut desk, he focused on his breathing, barely hearing his sister’s voice ramble on. Sweat beaded his forehead. Should he hang up and dial 911? No, he refused to kick it when he was the only family Ally had left. He’d probably just had too much coffee. He made a mental note to switch to half-decaf, shut his eyes, and slowly got his body back under control. Until the next wave of disaster hit in the form of emotion, which he despised. God knew anything messy and unpredictable had no place in his life, but here it was, crashing in with gaudy neon lights.

  Anger. Pride. Helplessness. Grief.

  Denial.

  He pressed the phone back to his ear. “Ally, slow down,” he commanded. “What are you talking about? Who do you think you’re marrying?”

  A frustrated hiss echoed over the line. “Are you serious? I’m marrying Jason, you idiot!”

  His mind flashed on the image of a tall, slender man with dark hair and blue eyes that gazed at his sister with affection. Yes, Carter had met him a few times and actually liked him. The guy was the head of some big marketing firm, and he didn’t act like an asshole even though he was rich. But they hadn’t been dating long. Why get married so fast? Unless . . .

  His heart rate sped up again.

  “Ally-Cat, you can tell me the truth. Are you pregnant?”

  A laugh burst out, and he almost fell out of the chair in relief. “Oh my God, you are so dramatic. No, I’m not pregnant. We’re doing this the traditional way. Maybe you’ll do it one day, too, if you ever decide to go out on an actual date. With a human, not canine.”

  He relaxed in the worn leather chair, which squeaked a bit too loudly. He mentally added fixing it to his to-do list. “Lucy would take offense. And just because I don’t talk about my love life doesn’t mean I don’t have one.”

  “Is your right foot shaking?” she asked, a smile in her voice.

  He looked down and immediately stilled his twitching foot. “You’re changing the subject. Jason never called me to ask for permission to marry you.”

  “I’m over thirty. I think we’re past that stage, don’t you?” she asked softly.

  The image of his sister’s face floated in his mind. She’d always been bigger than life, as full of temper and vitality as her shock of red hair. Her brown eyes held dreams of glory but were always so kind. She’d always been the type to pull lost mu
tts to his doorstep, invite lonely kids to dinner, and forgive everyone before they deserved it. He’d tried to protect her from the known scum, but it was hard getting respect as her brother, even though he’d been more of a father than sibling to her after their parents died when she was only ten years old.

  Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to keep tabs on her anymore or scare any assholes away since she’d moved to Texas. He made a mental note to call his private detective to get a check on Jason and make sure there weren’t any past zombies hidden in his closet. “Bring me up to speed. How long have you two been dating?”

  “A year.”

  “Barely enough time to know if he leaves the cap off the toothpaste.”

  “He does, and I don’t care. Not like you, who threatened me with sticky notes in the bathroom.”

  He winced. Not one of his better moves, but Carter found that being thorough was quite helpful in the majority of life, as opposed to Ally, who claimed she did her best work within chaos. He shuddered at the thought. “Fine, but there are bigger issues to consider. Does he gamble? Flirt with other women? Leave a bad tip at restaurants? Obsess with those ridiculous phone apps or social-media networks? I don’t want you to get caught off guard, because hiring a hit man to kill him isn’t as easy as the movies make it seem.”

  “I know him.” Her familiar tone took on a misty longing and dancing joy.

  Damn. She was in love. It had finally happened, and he wasn’t around to share her happiness or be close to support her. Guilt rippled across his nerve endings.

  “He’s a good man, Carter. I think I knew the moment we met. I got those crazy butterflies, and when we shook hands, it was like the world faded out for a moment. My whole being shuddered. I just knew.”

  This time, he was grateful they weren’t face-to-face. He couldn’t hide the cynicism regarding such fanciful ideas as instant love or finding one’s soul mate. Statistically, it didn’t even properly calculate as decent odds. People liked to wrap up attraction in pretty packages to sell movies, TV shows, or book ideas, especially for women. But he loved his sister, and if she was happy believing unicorns flew when their gazes met, he wasn’t about to contradict her. “I’m glad. But what if—”

  “Carter.” She cut him off. The sudden silence jangled with raw emotion and a longing he could feel even with the miles between them. “Please be happy for me. It’s . . . important.”

  He swallowed past the lump in his throat. Ah, hell. Did he have a choice? His baby sister was going to get married, and damned if he’d be the one to make her unhappy or ruin her moment. “I am happy for you. I’m just being a bit of a dick because I’m not there to hear the news in person. I miss you, Ally-Cat.”

  “Miss you, too,” she said. “If you’d do FaceTime, I could show you the ring.”

  He grinned. “You know I hate being on camera. Text me. Is it the size of Texas?”

  “Bigger, and badder, and more sparkles than I ever imagined.”

  His grin widened. Ally cared little for surface trappings, but she did have a weakness for things that glittered. “Tell me the details. Are you having a long engagement? Party? Is the date set yet? Shall I fly out soon?”

  “Actually, we’re getting married this August.”

  He fell silent, frowning. “Wait, I thought it took at least a year to plan a wedding. Are you sure you’re not forgetting to tell me something?”

  “I’m sure. And yes, usually a big wedding takes time to plan, but we don’t want to wait. We’re in love, and I always dreamed of an outdoor summer wedding by the beach. I put in a call to Avery, and she agreed to take me on, even though it’s only four months to do everything.”

  The name triggered a faded memory. “Avery?”

  “Avery Sunshine, my best friend from college. Don’t you remember? She practically lived with us one semester when she had problems with her roommate. Please don’t tell me forty is affecting your memory,” she teased.

  “Brat. Of course I remember.” Avery Sunshine. How could he forget his sister’s partner in crime? He’d worried so much when Ally began to run a bit wild in college, expressing her inner badass and late-teen angst. When she had brought Avery home one evening to hang out and introduced them, he’d hoped the girl would be the calming influence his sister needed.

  He’d been wrong.

  Instead, she was the fire that lit the match and made his sister burn. Suddenly, the double As (the ridiculous nickname they’d dubbed themselves) were sneaking alcohol, running around with boys, and turning into social partygoers. Sure, he’d expected some trouble in college—it was part of a ritual he’d read about and studied up on before sending his sister off to Georgetown University. But not at the level where grades were sacrificed.

  When she’d brought home a C in biology, he did what needed to be done: He installed a curfew. Insisted on meeting every boy she wanted to date. And did his best to keep Avery Sunshine away from his home.

  Her image danced in his mind. She reminded him of Tigger. Wild honey curls that sprang in every direction, bouncing over her shoulders as she zipped around with boundless energy. Flashing quick limbs and a mischievous grin. Stunning hazel eyes that seemed too large in her small face. A scattering of freckles over a pert nose that used to wrinkle whenever she was forced to talk to him.

  Yeah, it was instant dislike on both of their parts.

  In a crazy way, he’d almost felt like she was competing with him for Ally’s attention, determined to be her favorite. Ridiculous.

  He’d tried explaining how important grades were, how they needed to keep their reputations spotless for future jobs and relationships, but she’d just tip up her head like she smelled something bad and pretend to listen.

  Once, he’d overheard her call him old. His temper had hit until reality slammed him full force: she was right. He’d been the oldest twenty-six-year-old on the planet. But she still pissed him off.

  Carter shook off his thoughts and refocused. “I didn’t think you two spoke anymore. You graduated a decade ago.”

  “We’ve always kept in touch. I even went to see her in Cape May once for the weekend. Oh, Carter, you’d love it there. The beach is gorgeous, and there’s these Victorian inns that line the street. Quaint shops and five-star restaurants. It’s magical.”

  He rarely got to see the beach. Growing up and working in DC, there wasn’t time or money for vacations, let alone an ocean getaway in New Jersey. “Sounds beautiful. But what does Avery have to do with your wedding?”

  “She’s a wedding planner. She runs a business with her two sisters, and I’ve decided that’s where I want to get married. Can you picture an oceanfront ceremony paired with a glamorous reception? Jason loved the idea.”

  He struggled to keep up with all the sudden plans. “I’m surprised you don’t want to get married in Texas.”

  “I’ve only been here a year, and it’s not yet home. Jason’s family is scattered, so there was nothing holding us back from having a destination wedding. Even better, I’ve decided as soon as the semester ends, I’m heading to Cape May. Since we don’t have much time, and there’s endless decisions to be made, I rented a house for the summer!”

  Ally worked as a professor of economics. When she’d graduated with her PhD, Carter realized all the work and sacrifice to give his sister the type of life she deserved had been worth it. “Ally-Cat, I’m so happy you can take a break, but you shouldn’t be stressed planning a wedding. I can pay for any planner you want—the best of the best. It’s sweet you want to give the business to Avery, but this is too important.”

  A tinkling laugh rose to his ears. “Sunshine Bridal is the best of the best in Cape May. Avery’s the one doing me a favor by squeezing me into her schedule.”

  He couldn’t imagine the girl he’d known running a successful wedding agency. She was too scattered, too intent on pursuing fun at the expense of responsibility. He’d assumed her family had spoiled her rotten, allowing her to waste an expensive education at Georgetown
to pursue some fun and experience the novelty of living away from home. Unease settled over him. “Is Jason coming with you, too?”

  “No, he has to work, but he’ll fly out for some long weekends. It’ll be exciting to steep myself in wedding details and hang with Avery again. We always have so much fun together.”

  “Hmm, yes, you do.”

  “You’re worried, aren’t you? Afraid I’m going to get into trouble at some dive bar or get caught skinny-dipping in the ocean?”

  “Like the time I had to bail you two out after you were arrested for trespassing at the gardens?”

  He could practically see her wince. “Okay, admittedly that was not a good idea. Avery and I just wanted to see what the gardens were like in the moonlight. It was harmless.”

  “It was the Enid A. Haupt Garden. But sure, almost having a criminal record is completely harmless. I wonder why I’m concerned you’ll be traipsing around all summer with this woman.”

  Her words came out in a harsh whisper, and he was sure she was gritting her teeth. “Stop treating me like a child or I won’t ask you to be my man of honor. Why do you always have to hold this crap over me? I have a respectable job and I’m getting married.”

  His heart stilled. “Man of what?”

  “Man of honor. I had a nice speech planned before I asked you, but you managed to piss me off once again, so this is the best you’re gonna get. Carter, my overbearing, pain-in-the-ass brother, will you be my man of honor for my wedding?”

  He blinked. His throat tightened with emotion. His sister had been his entire world for most of his life. To be asked to stand beside her through her wedding meant everything to him. It took him a few moments before he was able to respond. “I don’t have to wear a dress, do I?”

  She laughed. “Not unless you want to. No, your job will be to help me make decisions and just be my emotional rock. Avery will take care of everything else, but I really want your input. Oh, how I’d love for you to spend some time with me this summer. It’s been forever since we hung out. When was the last time you took a vacation?”