right. Maybe I’ve stopped looking for a fresh perspective for my clients.” She nibbled her bottom lip, seeming defeated.
Guilt hit. Ah, hell.
He cleared his throat. “Well, to be honest, I had a bit of help.” She tilted her head, waiting. “I, uh, spoke to my sister at length before each appointment.”
“Yeah, but I’ve spoken to her, too. You listened better.”
He shifted in his seat. “Actually, we sent pictures back and forth. Did she tell you about her private Pinterest board?”
She squinted in suspicion. “No.”
“That’s where she saves all of her ideas so she won’t forget. I pull a bunch of them, and we go back and forth until we narrow it down.”
The slice of watermelon dropped from her fingers as the dawning knowledge hit. “Wait. Are you telling me this is how you knew about those special flowers and the cake design and the AC thing?”
He winced. “Kind of. I go through her pins and find a common theme, then research a bit. She kept saving these bouquets with vandas, so I lasered in. And she had a bunch of websites with designer dresses, shoes, and trendy clubs, so I figured she really wouldn’t want a spa. I just know my sister. Sometimes what she says out loud isn’t what she really wants.”
“You cheated.”
He shrugged. “Not really. I just used the information at my disposal to help you out. The bottom line is we made Ally happy.”
She jabbed a finger at him. “You made me think I was beginning to lose my mojo! I should’ve known you couldn’t be this good. For God’s sake, you’re a guy!”
“A smart guy. But I’m glad you know everything now. We can move on with a clean slate.”
Her laugh made him nervous. It wasn’t really filled with genuine humor. “Oh, we’ll be moving on, all right. This little partnership is officially dissolved. We’re done. Everything’s been picked and confirmed, so there’s no need to see each other until the bachelorette party.”
His gut lurched. “I need to meet the photographer this week,” he reminded her.
“No need. We booked Pierce Powers because he’s the best and was willing to pull a twenty-four-hour shift just to squeeze Ally in. I don’t need you grilling him or whipping out some crazy ideas for the wedding. I’ll take care of it.”
“I thought you were going to help me with AC?”
She smiled so sweetly, he wondered if she’d get a cavity. “No. You wanted that job all for yourself, remember, ManOH?”
“What about the DJ? That’s too important to skip.”
“Already sent Ally a few CDs so she can make her choice.”
“My tuxedo?”
“I’ll be happy to make an appointment and send over Gabe. He’s my expert liaison for groomsmen.”
He was running out of excuses. Time to throw her off-balance. “Fine, I won’t bother you about any further wedding activities.”
Surprise flickered in her hazel eyes. “Really?”
“Really.” Her shoulders relaxed, and she took a sip of lemonade. “I want you to go on a date with me.”
She choked and spluttered, grabbing a napkin and pressing it to her lips. “What?”
“A date. I think we should date. I think that kiss proved we have a connection, and we owe it to ourselves to explore it this summer.”
“You are unbelievable. Do you just always state your feelings for the record?”
He blinked. “Sure, isn’t that what women want? For a man to tell her what he wants or thinks or feels? That’s what magazines and television are always groaning about—that men don’t share or explain their needs and intentions.”
This time, a genuine smile curved her lips. He wished he could kiss her again now and ingest all that warmth. “I guess. But, Carter, we don’t even like each other.”
“I like you. Well, I didn’t like you before, but now I do.”
She groaned and rubbed her eyes. “We’re completely different. And I can’t date my best friend’s brother.”
“Why not? We’re all adults here. Ally won’t care.”
“It’ll be too confusing, especially while planning her wedding. Besides, I’m too busy to date anyone.”
“I understand your schedule, and I’m happy to work around it, whether it be a late-night cocktail or a simple lunch. All I know is that I enjoy being around you, and I felt something when we were on that beach together. Something I haven’t felt before. Wouldn’t it be nice to take advantage of the summer and my time here? Unless you didn’t feel anything with our kiss . . .”
Her breath skittered, and a flare of vulnerability shone in her eyes. Relief crashed into him. Thank