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.
