Love on Beach Avenue (The Sunshine Sisters #1) - Jennifer Probst Page 0,79
polished floors as she wandered past the reception area, and the sound of his deep voice echoed down a side corridor. She walked around the corner and stopped short.
He was sitting on a chair next to Brianna. The little girl had her feet tucked under her dress, which was now wrinkly and stained. Their heads were bent together, talking softly, and she was staring up at him with complete hero worship. The sweet image seared Avery’s vision and made all her girlie parts tingle. God, he was so good with children.
Avery walked toward them. “Hey, guys. How are you doing?” She’d spent some time over the weekend with Brianna, who was a complete doll.
The girl brightened when she spotted her. “Hi, Avery! Guess what? My toot fell out!” She pulled open her mouth and flashed the gaping hole right in the center.
Avery laughed. “Congratulations! That means the tooth fairy will visit.”
Carter’s lips twitched, his eyes full of affection. “That’s what I told her, but she was a bit upset since she lost the tooth. So we’re writing a letter to the tooth fairy to explain.”
Brianna nodded. “Carter said he did it when he was little, too, and it worked. Want to hear it?”
“I’d love to,” she said.
“Okay. It says, ‘Dear Toot Fairy, my toot fell out at Aunt Selena’s wedding and got lost, so it is not under my pillow. Please understand and leave my money. Thank you. Love, Brianna.’” Her head popped up. “Does that sound good? Carter helped me write it.”
His gaze swiveled to hers. Their eyes locked, and warmth flooded her body, her heart, her mind. He had the power to charm kids, dogs, and anyone else he chose. The man had helped her all night without complaint and respected her work ethic and her business. He’d gotten underneath her skin, revealed her vulnerabilities, and made her body sing. He didn’t believe in romantic love, yet at that moment, Avery knew she was falling in love with the man.
She was so screwed.
Swallowing hard, she tore her gaze away and forced a smile. “It sounds perfect,” she told the little girl. “Now, why don’t we go find your mom and show her the note?”
“Yes!” She jumped up, paper clutched in hand. “Thank you, Carter!”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Are you going to share the money you get with me?”
She burst into giggles. “I can’t! You have to lose a toot first!”
He ruffled her hair. “Ah, that’s right.”
Avery took the girl’s hand. “You’ve done an amazing job, Carter,” she said quietly. “I have to wrap a few things up, but you can go home.”
“I’ll wait.”
Her nerves tingled at the husky words that sounded like a sexy warning, but she just nodded and got Brianna back to her mother.
The last half hour flew by as the reception hall emptied and she closed out with the vendors. Pierce took off, the band packed up, and the room was finally, blissfully quiet. As usual, the high of the night leaked away and left complete exhaustion.
She’d done it again. The wedding had been successful.
Selena had hugged her and thanked her for a perfect day. Pride rushed through her. Once again, she was reminded of how much she loved her job. Many thought wedding planners were silly—impractical and expensive. She knew different. She knew to the brides and grooms she served, it made all the difference.
She knew she was important.
Groaning, she kicked off her shoes and uncrimped her toes. She grabbed her Tieks from her bag and slipped them on, breathing a sigh of relief. Guzzled half a bottle of water. Then limped toward the exit.
Carter was waiting for her.
God, he was hot. Those blistering pewter eyes staring at her from behind the black-framed glasses, giving him the sexy-nerd look. The sharpness and tight cut of his suit, emphasizing all those lean and yummy muscles. The clean line of his angled jaw and those pillowy lips she dreamed about kissing again.
Silently, he walked toward her, taking her giant bag and transferring it to his shoulder. “You did a hell of a job tonight.”
“So did you.”
They stared at one another. The steamy night air filled with longing and unspoken need. “Will you take a walk with me?”
There were a million reasons to say no: Her defenses were down. She was tired. The high of a successful event brought the usual crash of loneliness and craving for something beautiful for herself. He’d already been honest about his limitations, and a midnight moonlit stroll was not a good idea.