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“I can’t wait to see the views!” she coos, hanging off my uncle’s arm. “It’s supposed to be a really special spot. Sacred. Amazing energy.”
“It’s going to be lovely and romantic.” Hazel says brightly. “Perfect for the ceremony.”
“This guy isn’t licensed to perform actual marriages, is he?” I ask, struck with a sudden fear their mountain-top mumbo-jumbo will be legally binding.
“No,” Hazel shoots me a glare. “This ritual is about joining their spirits in harmony with nature.Forever.”
Oh, she’s definitely still pissed.
But I have an uncle to save from unhappy matrimony, so I think fast. “You know, if communing with nature is the point, it seems a shame to watch it just speed past outside the windows,” I say. “We should all hike up to this lookout point, and reallyfeelthe jungle. It’ll be like training for that half-marathon you want to run, right Uncle Robert?”
“Great idea,” he exclaims.
“I don’t know…” Avery looks dubious. “How far is this place?”
“Five miles away,” Hazel says, and I can see the wheels turning in her mind, trying to get a read on what I’m playing at here. I flash her an innocent smile, as Anna taps on her tablet.
“There’s a trail all the way to the top,” she reports, “But it looks like there might be rain--”
“But not for hours, plenty of time to get up there and enjoy the ritual,” I talk over her. “And why come to a beautiful place like this if we’re not going to experience the island? Anyone who doesn’t want the hike can just meet us at the top.”
“I’m in,” Robert declares. “I need to stretch my legs and walk off all this great food we’ve been having. What do you say, sweetheart?” he squeezes Avery, and I swear I see her stifle a sigh.
“Sounds great!” she chirps, forcing a smile.
I smile back. If it’s my goal to make Avery reveal her true nature, then getting her lost halfway up a mountain in three-inch heels should be a good start. Don’t they always say, adversary is the true test of a person’s character?
As if reading my mind, Hazel speaks up. “I’ll have the hotel find us a trail guide, so we all make it there in one piece. And Avery, you should go change clothing,” she adds. “You don’t want to break an ankle in those shoes.”
“Good point!” Avery chirps.
Hazel sends me a triumphant look. I smile back. She might hate my guts right now, but damn, she looks sexy when she’s annoyed.
“Let’s meet back here in ten then,” she continues, “So we can?—”
Her voice is suddenly drowned out by a burst of excited chatter. The other guests all turn to look at something arriving at the main entrance.
Or rather,someone.
My smile widens. Here’s my secret weapon, right on time.
“Before you go, I have a surprise,” I speak up loudly. Hazel is glaring at me, but I can’t let that distract me now. “Uncle Robert, Avery, I wanted to make this wedding extra-special, so I pulled some strings, and arranged a very special musical guest for your big day.”
Behind us, someone gasps. “Is that Cash Hendricks?”
Avery’s smile disappears as the crowd parts, and the chart-topping British rock star himself comes swaggering in – straight for the happy couple.
“Darlin’” he drawls, pulling Avery into a familiar hug.
Veryfamiliar.
“Wait, do you two know each other?” I ask innocently. Hazel is shooting daggers at me now, but I’m watching for the bride-to-be’s reaction.
Cash chuckles, outfitted in leather pants and a ripped denim vest. “Yeah, you could say that. Don’t worry, mate,” he adds, giving Robert a slap on the back. “I won’t steal her away from you. Unless she wants me to, ain’t that right, babe?”
13
HAZEL
