Before I could formulate an answer, Ava called to her mother, showing off another gift she’d opened, and the conversation went in a whole new direction.Thank you, sweet baby Jesus.
After the presents were all opened and everyone was eating, I wandered over to say hello to Ava.
“Is this seat taken? I brought the bride some jungle juice.” I winked at Ava as I sat down.
“Ugh, don’t say that. I still feel a little queasy when I think of that night.” She stuck out her tongue at me. “What a first impression I made, huh?”
“Nah, you were fine.” I scooped up some of the pasta salad on my plate. “So, are you excited? The countdown’s begun, huh?”
“Yeah, time flies. I can’t believe the wedding’s in six weeks.”
We chatted a little bit about the wedding and about Liam’s father, who’d apparently had a slight breakdown and was now living with Ava and Liam as he tried to get back on his feet. Mrs. Bailey came over to say hello, too. I couldn’t help thinking that she looked better now than she ever had, at least as long as I could remember. I wondered if that was because she’d finally dumped the Senator or if it had something to do with the hot young yoga instructor.
After she moved away to speak with someone else, I leaned closer to Ava. “What does Mrs. B think about the Senator taking up residence with you and Liam?”
Ava shrugged. “She didn’t like it at first. But now she just doesn’t say much. They’ve run into each other a few times, but they manage to keep it civil. I hope they can hold out during the wedding.”
“Me, too.” I sipped my punch, thinking that I didn’t envy Ava and Liam having to navigate the delicate balance between his parents.
“So, you and my brother? What happened there?” Ava skewered me with narrowed eyes just as I’d taken a sip of punch, and once again, I began to cough and sputter. I set down my cup as Ava pounded my back until I could speak again.
“What do you mean? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Fumbling with the pretty green shower napkin, I wiped my mouth, dabbing away the dribbles of punch from my chin.
“Cut the crap, Amanda. I know you left our engagement party together. Vince talked to Liam before you both took off, and Liam told me about it ... after some convincing on my part. I’ve been poking at my brother ever since, but he won’t say a word. Just tells me to mind my own.”
Relief filled me, along with just the tiniest bit of regret that I couldn’t ask Ava anything about how or what her brother was doing, now that she was suspicious. Instead, I only gave a lofty shake of my head.
“Then I’m going to take the party line and say the same. Nothing’s going on, Ava. I haven’t seen Vincent since that night.” I was sure my face was red, and I knew that if I lingered, I might break down and tell Ava everything, which would have been disastrous. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go throw away my trash. Want me to take yours?” I held out my hand.
Ava shook her head. “No, thanks. I need to go check on Julia. She’s been working so hard on the shower, and I want to make sure she isn’t overdoing.”
“Yeah—I was kind of shocked when I saw she was pregnant. Didn’t she just get married earlier this year?”
“Yes, and the baby was a bit of a honeymoon surprise for both Julia and Jesse. She was totally freaking out at first, but now, everything’s settled down, and they’re thrilled. I’m going to have a little goddaughter in the spring.”
“Aww, that’s sweet. I’m happy for them.” I gave Ava a quick hug. “And I’m happy for you, too. Hang in there, Ave. I know things are a little crazy now, but pretty soon, everything will calm down. You’re going to get your happy-ever-after.”
She smiled. “I never doubt that. It’s just getting through all the wedding stuff to find that happy ending—that’s the trick.” She stood up, too. “Speaking of which, one of the battles we’re fighting is the guest list. We have you down with a plus one—are you planning to bring a date?” Her eyes were bright with curiosity.
“I—I don’t know. I guess I will. Probably. But I don’t know who yet.” I wanted to ask if Vincent was going to have a date, but of course, that was none of my business.
“Okay.” She seemed slightly disappointed in my answer, but that might have been only because my answer meant one more guest at her small wedding. “I better go see where Julia is and then mingle with the other guests. See you in December!”
And now, of course, itwasDecember. I still didn’t have a date for the wedding. And what was even worse ... I still wasn’t over my one night with Vincent DiMartino.
