The summer wedding hoax, p.5
The Summer Wedding Hoax, page 5
The bartender comes to get Ava’s order, and as soon as he turns to put it in the computer, she hugs me.
“I missed you. Now I know I told you the other night, but I may or may not have been a bit loopy between the long day’s drive and, you know, trying to burn the apartment down.”
“I’m glad everything has worked out. Well, as far as you moving back home, anyway. What’s your mom been up to?”
She sighs good and long. “The same as always. I’m just not sure what I’m going to do about her, you know. She always wants to set me up, and we all know that isn’t smart. I just got out of a relationship. I need time and space to think.”
The idea of Ava moving on this soon makes me want to cringe. Not because she doesn’t deserve it, but because I just got her back in my life and if she meets someone, I chance the possibility of losing her again. She wants love and commitment and passion, and I don’t blame her. So, when she’s in a relationship, she’s all in, and sometimes, that means her best friend, being a man, gets put on the back burner. I know people say that being in a relationship shouldn’t change how your friends treat you, but it does. No one means for it to happen; it’s just how life goes. When you meet that person, they become your person. The one you go to for everything. The good, the bad, the annoying, and the frustrating. That’s why we pick them.
Despite never telling her how I’ve felt after all these years and I’m hesitating to tell her now, I know deep down, Ava is my person. I just need to find a way to show her this so she can see it on her own without my shoving it in her face. I want her to want me because she knows it’s right, the way I do, and not because I put her in a position where she has to pick between a boyfriend or a best friend. I want her to pick a boyfriend and best friend all in one.
She sets her wineglass down and slaps the bar top. “Oh my gosh, do you remember when she set Beck up that first Christmas he was home from college?”
I laugh. “Yeah, we were what, sophomores? And we definitely should have been way more mature about the entire thing.”
Ava’s smile widens as she nods. “I couldn’t stop laughing. Now, I feel terrible.”
“For Beck or his date?”
“Oh, definitely still for Beck but also for his date. I sometimes wonder if I’m like her.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it was clear how much she wanted her and Beck to be more than what they were. She kept making plans with him months in advance and they’d just met. I think I’m like that.”
“Um, I’m pretty sure you’ve never talked about where you want to get married or honeymoon on a first date. I also don’t think you’d follow your date home after he said he didn’t feel good. Your brother fake threw up for over an hour before she got the hint.”
“I know it. Someone should have just told her right from the start that she didn’t need to stay.”
“Lesson learned, I guess.”
“Yes, and my point is, we don’t let my mother set us up with anyone anymore.”
“That’s probably smart.”
I take a drink and focus on the mirror that lines the bar top’s back wall. If Ava doesn’t want her mother to set her up, she just needs the right guy.
I’m that guy, but how do I tell her without risking losing her?
At this rate, I’ll never know.
*
Ava
I can’t stop smiling at Will.
Everything feels good and peaceful when I’m with him. There is a reason we are besties and sitting here with him right now, laughing and sharing stories from high school, I know for sure that I can’t go months without him again.
I can’t even believe I did it the first time. I’ve missed out on so much. For what? A guy who I knew, I knew, wasn’t the one.
I vow right now, no more Mr. Wrong. The next guy I date will be Mr. Right, and that’s final. And in order to make sure I take the appropriate steps to do this, I need to focus on me first. Finding a job is the perfect place to start. Or maybe it’s finding an excuse for my mother to stop pestering me about dating. That’s going to be tough, you know, since I already told her I have a boyfriend. Gah. What was I thinking?
“So then Lucy offered to help Carter fix his reputation.”
“I bet that was a challenge.” I love listening to Will talk about his family. They all care about each other so much and they are the sweetest people. I never met his dad, but just seeing how the three boys treat their mom and those around them, I know he was just as wonderful.
“It was, but things became super tricky when Carter lied to Lucy’s uncle and said they were dating. She about died, and then—”
“Oh my god, Will!”
I slap his arm and he jumps.
That’s genius. I can’t believe I never thought of it before.
Alright now, I know my vow was just made and all, but this is perfect. This will help me get going in the right direction. I can focus on finding a job and get my mother off my back at the same time.
“What are you doing this summer?”
His lips twitch into a smile. “What do you mean, what am I doing this summer? I’m working.”
“Yeah. But are you going anywhere or planning on staying here?”
“Here mostly. I thought about heading up to Wind Valley for a couple different weekends, but with it only being a couple hours away and because some of it will be for work, I wasn’t exactly considering that a vacation.”
“I have an idea.”
He studies me for a moment and then leans back in his chair. “No. Whatever it is. No.”
“You haven’t even heard me yet.”
“I don’t need to. Your face says it all.”
“It’s not a bad idea.”
“It’s not?”
“Well …”
“Ava.”
“Just hear me out, please?”
He shakes his head and then nods. “Alright. Let’s hear it.”
“We should fake date for the summer.”
His face shows no expression, and if it weren’t for the fact I know I said the words out loud, I’d wonder if he heard me. He blinks twice, carefully planned blinks, and then leans over toward me to put his hand on my forehead.
I swat it away. “What are you doing?”
“Checking to see if you have a temperature. You’re talking like a crazy person, and I can’t think of any other reason why.”
“Oh stop. It wasn’t that horrible of an idea.”
Again, it sort of is, but I’m just a downward spiral of mess right now. May as well make it worse.
“Let me get this right: when you say fake date, you mean tell people I’m your boyfriend.”
“And I’m your girlfriend. Yes, that would be correct.”
“What for?”
“Because.” I sigh and fidget with the napkin under my wine glass. “My mother is determined to set me up now that I’m home. She seems to think that if I meet someone, I won’t leave again. And if I already have a boyfriend, she will back off without me having to tell her no.”
“She’s your mom. I think she would understand if you said no.”
“That’s just it. Since retiring and my grandma passing, she needs something to keep her busy, and she was so excited about it when she brought it up. As much as I hate the idea, I couldn’t pour water over her excitement.”
“Okay. I get it, but won’t she think it’s weird when you say just out of nowhere that we have been dating?”
“She might, but honestly, I think she will be so elated that it won’t cross her mind. Plus, I told her earlier that I had a boyfriend. This would just help make that less of a lie.”
“True. I’m also guessing you haven’t thought too much about this idea of me in particular being the guy for the job.”
“Considering it just came to me while you were talking about your brother, I’d say your conclusion is accurate.”
“Why don’t you think about it some more, and let me know later tonight or tomorrow or even next week. Take some good time to really think about it.”
“No, I don’t need to think about it. I want to do this. Let’s fake date.”
If I told him why this plan seems perfect, I’m sure he’d say yes right away, but … I just can’t bring myself to tell him everything. I’m already displaying hot-mess behavior. I don’t need to add fuel to the fire and tell him I don’t have a job either. We used to be goal-getters together. He clearly stayed on that path, while I fell off of it.
“Ava, this could get messy. In order for this to be successful, we would have to lie to a bunch of people.”
That is one downfall of the plan.
“I know, but it will only be for the summer. Two months, three max.”
He shakes his head, but I can see it in his eyes that he isn’t going to say no … yet.
“I’ll do anything you want,” I sweeten the deal. “Clean your apartment, do your laundry, even mow the yard outside the duplex. I’d have to borrow your mower, of course, and I don’t know how to use a weed eater, but I could learn. They sort of freak me out, though.”
“Huh, all summer?” he asks and rubs his chin.
“All summer. I’ll even cook dinner for you every night.”
He winces. “I was almost sold, but there is no way I could eat your cooking every night. Charred isn’t usually how I like to eat … anything.”
“I’m not that bad.”
“Some might argue.”
“Some, as in you? That doesn’t count.”
He laughs.
“Okay, okay, what if I promise to stay out of your kitchen for life.”
“Now that is actually something you could bribe me with, but I don’t know …”
“Come on, Will, there has to be something I can help you with.”
“I don’t exactly need—wait, how good are you with public speaking?”
“Considering I went to school to be a teacher and that’s basically all we do; I’d say I’m good at it.”
“Touché.”
“Why? Do you need help with that?”
He grabs the back of his neck and looks around. Then he nods, once.
For as long as I’ve known Will, I’ve never known him to be nervous or lack confidence in any area of his life. Knowing something troubles him doesn’t bring me joy, but it does make me want to smile at the fact this is the most normal thing about him. As much as I’d love to tease him about it, it’s not in me to do that. His lack of eye contact in the moment, since he shared this secret with me, is all I need to know that this is something that makes him uncomfortable.
“I’ll do it. If you pose as my boyfriend through the summer and attend all the weddings and social events on my calendar, I’ll turn you into a public speaking master. You have my word.”
“Weddings and social events? You didn’t mention that.”
“Well, it sort of comes with the title of boyfriend.”
Our gazes collide, and for the first time ever, the look he gives me makes my heart beat faster. For a split-second I think I should take back my offer, but then Will smiles and the familiarity of my best friend floods me.
“I’ll do it.”
“Yes!”
Yes, this is the perfect plan. Stress-free, goal-achieving Ava is about to make a comeback.
CHAPTER SIX
Will
Sometimes, even smart men can make bad choices. Deep down, I know that’s exactly what I did last night with Ava.
Playing fake boyfriend to the woman I’m crazy about. Smart, Will, real smart.
I may as well have asked her to marry me and let her break my heart right then and there instead of letting it play out over the entire summer and waiting for it to happen.
I have no words for what I’ve done.
“Rules really are the best way to go.” Ava pops into my place through the back sliding door and flops onto the couch. She hasn’t used my front door since she moved in, and it seems to be an unspoken agreement to leave our patio doors unlocked for the other one to come over at any time.
But rules—yes, I could get on board with rules. Rule number one, don’t break my heart.
Dax jumps up to the spot next to her, and I shake my head. He’d never met Ava until the other night, but he’s already obsessed with her.
Get in line, bud.
He lays his head on her lap, and she leans forward to kiss it.
“Okay, what did you have in mind?” I ask.
“First, I think it’s important we remember why we are doing this and that our friendship comes first. So, if at any point one of us begins to blur the line between reality and show, we should stop.”
Well, dang. I’ve already broken this rule.
“But I mean, obviously we will have to touch and hold hands and hug and stuff.” She shrugs as if it’s no big deal.
“Right.” This is going to be a test of my self-control.
“Do we have a romantic story of how we fell in love?” she asks.
I do.
“Is that what you want?” I ask.
She thinks about it for a moment.
“I mean, yeah. My entire family knows I’m a diehard junkie when it comes to love, so it would make sense.” She taps her pen to her bottom lip.
When did she pull out a notebook?
“How about, one day you just kissed me,” she begins and grabs her phone. “Like, you had been harboring these feelings for a while and one day just went for it. After a slight hesitation, rightfully so since I was afraid to ruin our friendship, I kissed you back, and it’s just been smooth sailing since then.”
Sounds scarily accurate to how I’d like it to happen, but could it be that easy?
“Ugh!”
“What?” I ask as she tosses her phone to the other end of the couch.
“I just got this email.” She pauses and her eyes go wide. “From my ex, and I’m sure you don’t want to hear this.”
I don’t really, but if he’s bothering her, of course I want to know.
“Maybe I can help? Is he harassing you or something?”
“No. Oh, no.” She shakes her head. “I just overreacted. Let’s get back to the rules.”
Knock. Knock.
We both twist to look at the door.
“Are you expecting anyone?”
“No.”
I peek through the peephole, and Carter and Lucy come into view.
Shoot. What are they doing here?
I open the door.
“Hey, sorry to—Ava!” Carter steps inside. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
“Hi, Carter.” Ava gives him a small wave. “Hey, Lucy, how are you? I haven’t seen you since you took pictures at Will’s and my graduation party.”
“Has it really been that long?”
“I think so. You two definitely weren’t engaged back then.” Ava points to Lucy’s left hand, and Lucy holds it up for her to check out the ring.
Lucy laughs, and it’s like the sound of her laughter is a cue for my brother to kiss her temple.
“So what are you two doing?” Carter asks, moving toward my kitchen and holding up a bag. “Lemon bars from Mom. She needed a break from bake-off cookie making.”
I don’t think twice before I follow him, opening the Tupperware to dive in. I offer up a sweet treat to my guests, and then we all take a seat in my living room. I sit on the couch, and Ava does, too. Except, she sits snug against my side, pulling her knees up and letting them fall to rest on my thigh. On instinct I put an arm around her and smile when I catch her looking at me.
Carter clears his throat.
Shoot. I’d already forgotten he was here.
“So tell me what’s new.” He nods toward Ava. “Are you happy to be home?”
“I am.” Her hand drops to my leg. “I missed Will too much, so it’s nice to be around him again. Long distance is hard.”
I do my best to not look stunned, but I’m almost certain my eyes went wider than ever before for a split-second just now.
Oh boy.
It’s starting.
Carter is going to see right through it.
“Long distance?” Lucy speaks first. “Like dating?”
“Yeah,” Ava answers softly, resting her head on my shoulder. I can’t help it. I smile.
“Dating.” Carter repeats.
Ava waves a hand in my brother’s direction. “Oh, don’t look at us like that, Carter. I asked Will not to tell anyone until we really knew what we wanted. It’s a big step after the friendship we had.”
Carter’s gaze bounces between me and Ava.
“Yeah, he definitely didn’t tell anyone.”
Ava kisses my cheek.
“And that’s how I know we are perfect together.”
One day, she’s going to mean those words.
Before we let this get too far, I change the subject.
“So, were you just bringing the bars over, or was there something else?”
“Oh, yeah, with Mom and Dad’s forty-year anniversary coming up, I was thinking we would fly Tuck home to surprise Mom and then do a big family dinner.”
“She’d love that. We should go to Bella’s.”
Lucy clapped her hands. “Oh, your mom and dad’s favorite place! That’s brilliant.”
“I agree,” Carter says and kisses Lucy’s temple, again. “Ava, you’ll be there, right?”
“Me?” She looks at me. “That’s a family thing, isn’t it? It should just be you guys.”
“You’re practically family, and now that the two of you are dating, it’s basically a done deal. You’re coming.”
“Okay.” Ava squeezes my hand. “I’d be honored to join you.”
“Great.” Carter and Lucy stand and head for the door. “Don’t forget about our meeting first thing on Monday morning.”
Meeting? I don’t remember having a meeting on the schedule for that morning.
“What meeting? It’s not on my list.” I move to grab my laptop.
“It was a last minute one that came up.” Again, his gaze flashes to Ava.
Ah.
Damn.
“Yeah, I’ll see you then.”
“It was great seeing you both.” Ava loops her arms with mine and waves goodbye.
As soon as the door is closed, Ava spins to face me.
