Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,26
“What does that mean?”
Avery waved her hand in the air. “Nothing. You’ll do great—Gabe is amazing to work with and has so many ideas.”
“Meaning I don’t?”
“Of course not. Why are you getting so weird? Do you have your period?”
Bella gasped. “That’s something a guy would ask! Shame on you. Maybe I’m just tired of being questioned on my own projects.”
Avery’s mouth fell open. “I’m not questioning you! I know you were worried about taking so much on, so I wanted to help. I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed and alone in this, that’s all.”
Avery’s concern only caused more irritation. It made no sense, but sometimes Bella was resentful of her older sister’s unfailing confidence and belief that she could do anything she set her mind to. She hated that Avery would think of her as the sister who always needed extra help.
The awful words popped out of her mouth before she could tame them. “Don’t worry, Avery. I can handle things on my own. I won’t embarrass the family.”
“What kind of crap is that? I—”
Taylor cleared her throat. “Did you see that Jason Momoa has a new movie out and he’s naked in it?”
They both turned at once. “Totally naked?” Avery asked after a brief pause. “Full frontal? Or just the butt?”
“Momoa has a new movie out?” Bella asked.
Taylor grinned. “Nope, I just needed a distraction for you psychos. Enough about weddings and Dr. Seuss—I refuse to ruin Taco Tuesday. I’m hungry and ready to eat. Plus, I have some news and want to be the main focus of attention.”
Bella shared a glance with Avery and settled down. God knew she didn’t want to fight, and her insides were all tangled up with a bunch of messy emotions she needed to sort out. She’d do a long meditation tonight, and maybe a good night’s sleep would settle her back. Lately, all her zen calm had been deserting her. She needed to figure out why.
“Fine with me,” she said. “Can you get Zoe?”
Taylor nodded and went to get her while Bella transferred the food onto platters and put out the warmed fajitas. A tug on her hair made her turn.
“I’m sorry about the period comment,” Avery muttered. “I’m getting stressed about planning my own wedding. Isn’t that stupid?”
Bella sighed. “No, sweetie, it’s not. It’s perfectly acceptable, and I’m just being overly sensitive lately. How about we all get together and do a planning session? We do it for our clients—why shouldn’t we do it for you?”
Avery sniffed. “Thanks. I think that’s perfect. But can we leave Carter out of it? He did so good with helping plan his sister’s wedding, he now thinks he’s an expert. He’s driving me nuts sending me all these new ideas, and my vendors keep calling me to go over his suggestions. I think I created a monster.”
Bella bit back a laugh and squeezed her sister’s shoulder. “We’ll take him down a peg. Let’s eat some tacos and hear Taylor’s news.”
Zoe raced in on Taylor’s heels. “Tacos!” she squealed. “I don’t want any peppers or mushrooms or onions or zucchs.”
“That’s zucchini, and you have to pick at least one veggie.”
Her daughter made a face and slid into the chair. “Fine. Red peppers.”
They dug into their tacos with gusto while Zoe chatted about her day in school. “There’s going to be two dances at school for Valentine’s Day. I can wear my new pink dress, Mama!”
She smiled. “Yes, you can. There’s two this year?”
“Uh-huh. The first one is for mommies and boys, and the second one is for girls and their daddies. But Mrs. Wooley says it doesn’t have to be a real mom or dad that goes. She said there can be friends or aunts or uncles or two mommies and two daddies. She says families are made up of all sorts of people, so I want to go with Uncle Carter.”
Her heart squeezed in both pain and gratitude. She hated that Matt wasn’t here to experience the magic of his beautiful daughter, but knowing Avery was marrying a wonderful man who could bring a strong male presence to the family was a gift.
“Oh, honey, Uncle Carter will love that! He’s going to be really excited. Make sure you text me the date, Bella.”
“I will.”
Taylor finished her last taco and wiped her mouth. “Well, I don’t know how I’m going to top a V-Day dance, but it’s time to announce my news. I have been officially invited to participate in an art show.”