A grin spread across Des’ face. “Whatever, Tori. He might do a little begging, but he’s mine. I really feel like he’s my soul mate.”
The overpowering, nearly tangible love Desiree wore on her face was foreign to me. Sure, I’d loved Rafael when we got married, but it was shallow, and now that it was over, I could plainly see that a lot of my feelings for him were wrapped up in the fact that he was my last chance to have even a little of what was pouring out of Drew and Des in abundance.
“That’s beautiful, Des. I am so happy for you.” My words were honest, but I had to force a smile to my face. Now that I was back in reality, minutes away from this wedding, the pain was rushing back, and it wasn’t just about Rafael. I was hurt over the things he had done, but it was the failure, period, that felt like a knife to the gut, and this beautiful setting full of happiness and love just made that awful reality even more palpable.
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I glanced down, realizing Des wasn’t in her wedding gown. “Des, the ceremony is supposed to start in like fifteen minutes. Let’s get you dressed.”
Instead of turning to head to where her dress hung on the garment rack, Des hesitated, looking me right into my eyes. “Tori… are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Des. Why?”
She frowned at me, with her head tilted to the side. “Well, your eyes… they’re red, like you’ve been crying.”
“It’s just the makeup. I got a little trigger happy with the liquid eyeliner, but I’m okay.”
Not convinced, she narrowed her eyes, but turned away to retrieve her dress.
Just make it through the next hour, Tori. That’s all you have to do.
While Deidra and I helped Desiree into her dress, my thoughts drifted back to Avery, but I quickly pushed him from my mind. Sure, he was handsome, but he was Des’ brother, which was a big check mark in the NO category. Besides, after what she’d told me about him, the very last thing I needed was to get involved with a man like Avery— or anyone, for that matter.
Across the room, I heard my phone vibrating in my purse. Just before it was time for us to take our places, I checked it, in case there was some emergency with my family, but the missed call, and subsequent voicemail were from my attorney, letting me know I was officially a single woman.
Again.
— Avery —
I shoved my hands into my pockets as I turned away from door where Tori had disappeared. I’d stood there for a few moments after it closed behind her, still intoxicated by the seductive scent of her perfume. Floral notes, vanilla, citrus… whatever it was, I didn’t know and didn’t care. All I knew was Tori smelled— and looked— good enough to eat, and if I had my way, before the night was over, I would be doing just that.
I ambled lazily down the hall, wondering why this was our first time meeting. I had better things to do than wonder about my little sister’s friends, but Tori was fine as hell, and I felt like I’d been slighted. It didn’t take much thought to conclude that Des had purposely avoided putting Tori and I together in the same place. It was the only plausible explanation for why I’d never met the woman she called her best friend, but the question was why? Why would Desiree keep such a sweet little treat from her loving, caring big brother? I stopped walking for a moment, thought about it, then headed in a different direction in the spacious resort. I couldn’t ask my sister about it right now, but I could spend a little time interrogating her husband to be.
I grinned when I entered the room where Drew was waiting with his best man, Wes, for the wedding to start. I was glad to see my future brother-in-law was relaxed and ready to move forward.
“Hey, you ready to become Mr. Desiree Anderson in a little while, man?” I asked as we slapped hands, and then pulled each other into a brotherly hug.
“Ha, Ha, very funny Avery.”
I smirked. “It is funny. I can’t believe you’re voluntarily signing up to get bossed around by Des.”