white bag and withdrew a perfect chocolate croissant. Freshly baked, with crisp crust and a chocolate drizzle. Her mouth watered, and suddenly her mood skyrocketed. “Who is this from?”
Gabe shrugged. “Not sure.”
“Wait, there’s a note.” She pulled out a square piece of paper and read it. Then burst out laughing.
Guilt is optional. —C
Her sisters shared a knowing look. “Remember what I said, babe,” Taylor said. “Someone has to take a chance. It might as well be you.”
“Aww, come on, what’s that cryptic message mean? I’m part of this group, too,” Gabe complained.
“We were just having a discussion about our periods. Want in?” Taylor asked.
“You’re such a bitch,” Gabe muttered.
“Thanks,” her sister said brightly.
Avery dropped back in her chair, pushed her parfait away, and took a bite of her pastry.
Then thought about her sister’s words all day long.
Carter walked into Pierce’s photography studio and admired the space. It looked like an old loft that had been converted and gave off an artistic, comfortable feel. Light poured in from various windows, and wood beams crisscrossed the ceilings. The walls were painted stark white and filled with pictures of all sizes. Right away, Carter saw the man had talent. They weren’t the normal cookie-cutter photos one expected from a wedding, but instead had fresh angles and ways of capturing the couple and wedding party that made one want to study the shot closer. Ranging from vivid color to misty black and white, the collage showed the broad range of Pierce’s vision.
Avery was right again. There was no need to question her decision to book him as Ally’s photographer, especially after seeing the man in action at the Bankses’ wedding.
“Hey, Carter, good to see you again,” Pierce said, walking over to shake his hand. “You recover yet?”
He grinned. “Barely. Working a wedding is not for the faint of heart.”
Taylor came walking out from the hall, her pink hair slicked back, wearing a sleeveless black dress that hugged her trim frame and hit above the knee. Her nose ring winked, and she smiled in welcome. “Hi, Carter. Heard you were having a boys’ lunch.”
“I invited Gabe to hang with us, too,” Pierce explained. “He heard we were grabbing a beer and said he needs a shot of testosterone. He works with too many women.”
Taylor rolled her eyes. “Gabe complains, but he loves the drama. He’s the worst gossiper I know.”
Pierce snorted and shot her a look. “Taylz, you couldn’t keep a secret for a million bucks.”
She gasped. “Screw you! I didn’t tell your mom you skipped school for a whole damn week in eleventh grade, did I?”
“No, but you told Ron, which was worse. He snitched to everyone, and I got busted. Remember?”
“Whatever. Go ahead and rewrite history if it makes you feel better.”
Pierce laughed, and they shared a look of such understanding and intimacy, Carter figured they’d been fooling around in the office before he came in. It seemed Avery’s sister had found her match.
Taylor turned to face Carter. “Hey, I heard you kicked ass at the Bankses’ wedding. You made Avery really happy.” Her words held a deeper meaning, especially paired with the intense stare she gave him, as if trying to tell him something important.
His chest tightened. Had Avery confessed what was happening between them to her sister? And even more important, had she shared her real feelings? Taylor didn’t look pissed at him, so maybe it was her way of saying she approved.
And why the hell did he care?
Because her sisters were family, and he wanted them to like him.
“Okay, I’m outta here,” she announced, hitching her tiny leather purse over her shoulder. She shut the door behind her, and the room immediately lost some of its vitality.
Pierce clapped his hands together. “Okay, want to see the office and a few portfolios before we head out?”
“Sure. This is a great place you have.”
“Thanks. It used to be a marketplace, then a bike shop, but nothing could make it. I figured even though it’s a bit off the beaten path, the space would be worth it.”
They walked down a hall and entered a room with a large desk and red leather chair, a mishmash of photography equipment, and shelves filled with more pictures on canvas. A corner bookcase held an array of books and magazines and various wooden signs with quotes. The chandelier was a cool concoction of metal and silver lanterns stacked in different sizes, adding an artistic twist. But it was the painting behind the desk that mesmerized him immediately.
The