Trying not to roll her eyes, she went over to greet them. “Welcome to Vera’s! We’re all set for dressing room three, so I can lead you back. Or if you’d like, feel free to poke around and explore a bit before we settle.”
“It’s a bit small, don’t you think?” Carter asked.
“Small but mighty,” she chirped back, flashing her brightest smile. “Vera is a legend and can help us find the perfect dress.”
“How interesting,” he drawled. “What makes her a legend?”
She kept her tone cool and professional. “Besides being a famous prima ballerina who traveled all over the world, she learned how to sew from her grandmother, who worked at Dior. Vera has consulted with the top designers and is on call for the queen.”
Ally widened her eyes. “Of England?”
“Correct.” She shot Carter a look. “Hopefully that’s a solid-enough résumé.”
Ally clapped her hands. “It is for me! I can’t believe I’m the actual bride—I feel kind of giddy.”
“Good, I want you to be excited and enjoy yourself.” She whipped out her iPad and tapped to the screen of Ally’s preferred styles. “I already gave Vera an initial list of gowns to pull, especially strapless ones with an A-line skirt that you seem to like best. Let’s have a quick chat with her first, and then we’ll get started. I’ll go grab her.”
Ally and Carter wandered off to investigate. Vera was engaged deeply in conversation with a client, so Avery made the signal they were ready and began pulling a few dresses from the list that incorporated the features her friend liked. She hummed under her breath, flitting through the racks with an expertise that rivaled Vera’s attendants. She loved helping pull wedding dresses and assisted Vera with many of her brides.
Avery hung the dresses in the fitting room, and they gathered together for the initial chat. Vera poured champagne, and took a few minutes getting to know them both, her easy charm allowing Ally to relax while she sipped her bubbly.
“Avery picked out a few dresses to start us with based on the pictures you liked, but I want you to know bridal shopping can sometimes be frustrating. Many brides see something in a picture, but it doesn’t look like they imagined on them. Let’s use this time as a journey to explore and have fun figuring out what you like. We’ll find the right dress, but why rush through the experience feeling impatient and desperate?”
“I know we don’t have the normal time schedule, though,” Ally said. “Will that cut out a lot of my options?”
“I’ll make sure to only show you dresses that don’t have to be special ordered. Your size is an asset since it’s common to find off the rack and easily alter. Now, is there anything you don’t like in a wedding dress?”
Ally wrinkled her nose. “Nothing tight or formfitting. No mermaid. Nothing too flashy or too—”
“Weird,” Carter finished. “I’ve seen some of those wedding shows on TLC. Sometimes more isn’t a good thing.”
Vera laughed. “Understood. Now, let’s whisk your brother off to the waiting area and get started. Avery, why don’t you keep Mr. Ross company?”
“Of course.” She grabbed the whole bottle of champagne and led him out while she let Vera do her job.
The waiting room held pristine white chairs, a velvet couch with raspberry throw pillows, and plush vanilla carpet. The chandelier dripped elegant crystals and pearls. The full-length mirrors were gilded with silver scrolling. The entire room was elegant and classy.
Carter hooked his ankle over his knee, glass held gracefully between his long fingers. Irritation bristled. Why was he dressed like he had a job interview? Today, it was a navy-blue suit with a pink tie that should have looked ridiculous but instead was a tiny bit hot. His polished wing-tipped shoes exposed no imperfections under the gleaming light.
“Don’t you own a pair of shorts?”
He blinked, then slowly swiveled his head around. His gaze flicked over her body in pure dismissal. “Yes.”
She waited for more, but he remained silent, just sipping his champagne. “Then why are you wearing a suit on vacation?”
“Because I’m not on vacation yet. I’m still working on a project. Therefore, I’m technically required to dress for my job.”
Her mouth dropped open. “That’s ridiculous. You’re in a different state, and no one from the office is going to see you. Why wouldn’t you dress comfortably?”
He looked at her like she’d asked a stupid question. “I am comfortable.”
“Why am I not surprised?” she muttered under her breath. Did he even know how to kick back and relax? Tamping down her frustration, she resolved to try and get along with him. He was her friend’s ManOH, and she knew the next three months would be easier if they formed a truce. “Are you still doing computer stuff?”
“Yes.”
“What exactly is your job?”
“I’m a hacker.”
“Isn’t that illegal?”
“Not if you work for the good guys. I’m termed an ethical hacker. I do jobs for the government to stop bad people from infiltrating our economy and computer systems.”
Hmm, that was actually interesting. She’d figured he did quality assurance or something similarly yawn-worthy. “Did you want to make a difference? Is that why you got into that field of work?”
The judging gaze was back. “No, Avery. I needed to make a lot of money and have the ability to be mobile. It fit my needs.” End of subject. He returned his attention to his glass, swirling the bubbly liquid around like it held all the answers.
Oh, how she despised the way he addressed her, like she was completely beneath him. She was about to make a cutting remark when Ally appeared in her first dress and stepped up on the platform.
“What do you think?” she asked, facing them and smoothing her palms down the thick satin skirt. It was a stunning dress. A strapless shirred bodice flared gently out to a full skirt with a simple train. The lines were beautifully cut, and it screamed classic elegance.
“It’s gorgeous on you,” Avery said. “Do you like it?”
“I love it. Carter?”
Those stormy eyes were hooded. “It’s nice.”
Avery gritted her teeth. If Carter got in his sister’s head to make her doubt her decisions, she’d kill him.
Vera launched into some of the aspects of the dress, touching on the designer but allowing Ally to come to her own conclusion.
She turned around a few times. “I really love it, but I’d like to see more.”
“Of course,” Avery said. “That’s the best way to figure out your favorite. Try on as many as possible.”
Ally gathered the full skirt and disappeared back into the dressing room with Vera.
Avery whirled on her heel. “‘It’s nice’?” she growled. “That’s the reaction you give your sister when you see her in a wedding dress for the first time?”
He shrugged. “It was nice. Would you prefer I whip out my internal thesaurus to dazzle you both with my vocabulary?”
She swallowed a groan. “No, but a little enthusiasm is required as her support system. I know you don’t have many emotions, but here’s a bit of advice from the wedding planner: fake it.”
He cocked his head. “You seem a bit high strung. I thought you were supposed to be the calm in the storm for all involved in the wedding. Isn’t that your job?”
“My job is to protect the bride at all times, even if it’s from her brother. Here she comes. Do better this time.”
Ally came out in the second A-line gown, but this one had a bigger, more elaborate train, and the bodice was encrusted with pearls. Once again, the style complemented her figure. “Okay, here’s dress number two. What do you think?”
“Gorgeous,” Avery said, walking around to see it from all sides.
“Carter?”
“It’s quite picturesque.”
Ah, hell. She was going to kill him.
Thankfully, Ally didn’t seem to notice the odd word, because she was looking in t
he mirror, studying her reflection with intense concentration.
“Do you like this one better, sweets?” Avery asked.
“I love this one, too.”
“As much as the last?” Vera prodded.
“Yes, I think so. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with them. They’re really nice.”
Avery shared a look with Vera. “We don’t want you to feel ‘nice.’ We want you to feel like the hottest bride on the planet.”
Her friend laughed, spinning around one more time. “Maybe we can try another style I like to get a comparison? That may help narrow me down.”
“Absolutely,” Vera said. “Let’s get you back in the dressing room.”
The moment they left, Avery stomped over to Carter’s chair. “I cannot believe you said that.”
He looked bored. “What now? I gave a different response. Listen, I’ll know when it’s the dress, and so will she. I’m not about to mimic a cheerleader for the next twenty dresses she may parade out in.”
“Oh, I see. We wouldn’t want you to waste any real emotion by faking some enthusiasm. What if you run out of the surplus you stored up for the winter? You may not even be able to smile for a month.”
He arched a brow. “Do you do yoga?”
“No, why?”
“I heard it’s good for hidden anger issues and stress. It also helps to keep you looking young.”
She smiled. “Guess that means you don’t practice, either. Aren’t you forty-five by now?”
He gave a tiny jerk, but she caught it and her smile widened. “I just turned forty.”
“Really? Huh, I thought you were fifteen years older than us.”
“Eight.” His answer was clipped and touched with temper. “Only eight.”
“Of course. My bad.”
She barely had time to savor the victory when Ally reappeared. This time, she’d gone for a full-out ball gown. The billowing skirt, endless beading, and off-the-shoulder bodice made her look like the redheaded princess from Brave in all her glory.
“Oh, Ally, you look stunning,” Avery breathed. “Is there any gown you don’t look good in?”
Ally laughed a bit nervously, tugging at the material. “I know, I feel like I dropped off a wedding cake. It’s like a work of art. What do you think, Carter?”
Avery held her breath.
He waited one beat, then two. “I think it’s superb.” His voice held no excited inflection, a complete contradiction to his words.
Jerk.
Again, Ally didn’t seem to care, either used to her brother or too caught up in her own opinion. “I love this dress. Like, really love it. I think Jason would, too.”
Vera did her spiel, buying Ally more time to make up her mind, but it was obvious she didn’t love it enough to stop trying on more dresses. And so, they continued.
She tried on every A-line, every ball gown, and every strapless dress they were able to find. They tried one of the designer gowns Vera had snatched from Paris. They tried expensive, middle of the road, and downright simple. Ally loved every dress she put on, complimenting the fit and the designer, but never getting any closer to calling it the one.
And that’s when Avery began to panic.
Vera had already spent more than the allocated time for the appointment and gave her a look that told her she might need to bring in the closure strategy. Avery nodded, crossing her fingers that it’d work.
“Darling, you seemed to like the third gown the most. Why don’t you slip back into that, and we’ll do a little embellishing so you can get an idea of what it’d be like on your wedding day? Sound good?” Vera asked.
Her friend agreed and headed back to the dressing room.
Avery began to pace the lush white carpet and decided one last glass of bubbly wouldn’t hurt. They’d find the dress. She’d worked with the pickiest brides and was always able to find them a match. Ally loved every one. This wouldn’t be too hard of a sell.
“She doesn’t like any of those dresses, you know.”
She whirled around and faced her verbal torturer. “You’re draining all the magical, positive energy from this entire experience,” she hissed. “Can’t you just try and believe?”
That caused him to treat her to half a smile. The man would be so much more approachable if he’d just loosen up a bit and show his teeth.
“Please tell me you don’t believe in that crap,” he said.
“I do. It’s powerful stuff, and I think you’re blocking Ally’s ability to connect with her perfect dress.”
His smile broadened. Slowly, he set down his glass and stretched out his legs. She spotted his plain black dress socks. Had he ever worn such a loud color? Gotten crazy drunk? Broken the rules in the pursuit of fun? Or had he just been born old and boring? Ally had only told her he worked in computers, had been an early recruit in DC, and was her legal guardian—who took the job seriously.
“I hate to tell you this, but you haven’t been picking out the right dresses for her,” he said.
Her jaw dropped. “We’ve tried various styles, and they all look amazing. She’s just scared to make a commitment. Many brides are like that.”
He shook his head. The crisp strands of his hair gleamed a deep blue-black, emphasizing his heavy brows and olive-toned skin. He looked nothing like Ally, with her bright hair and freckles. From the pictures her friend had shown her, Carter resembled their father, and Ally their mother.
“Ally is pretending to know what she wants because she’s afraid the real type of dress she’d like to try wouldn’t look good on her.”
Amusement cut through her. Oh, he thought he was a professional now, huh? Figured he could pick his sister a wedding dress after two hours of watching her and Vera empty the inventory. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and regarded him with pursed lips. “I see. Let me guess. You know what type of dress she really wants.”
“Correct.”
A laugh escaped her. “If you knew, why didn’t you share this important information with us?”
He shrugged. “I wanted to see if you’d impress me.” He paused. “You didn’t.”
Shock battled with the thirst for justice. She couldn’t let such an insult go by without challenging him. “Care to make a bet?” she drawled.
He leaned in, seemingly intrigued. “What kind?”
“I’ll give you two shots. If Vera’s sleight of hand doesn’t work, you go and pick out two dresses you think Ally will like. If she picks one as the dress, you win.”
“What do I get?”
She shot him a look. “Really? How about your sister’s happiness.”
“And you buy me dinner.”
Avery stared in astonishment. “You want to take me to dinner?”
“No, I want you to buy me dinner. There’s a big difference.”
Her cheeks burned. Oh, he was a monster. Able to humiliate her with his cutting, casual words and bored demeanor. “What if I win?”
“Besides my sister’s happiness? How about I keep my many opinions to myself?”
She perked up. “Really? You’d stop complaining and second-guessing me and following us around with that lemon face?”
He grunted. “I don’t have a lemon face.”
“Yeah, you do. You remind me of Debbie Downer on Saturday Night Live. Wah-waaah!”
Now he looked irritated. “You’re being ridiculous. I’ll take the bet.”
Ally came back out, but this time she had all the extras to make her look like a real bride. Vera had swept up her hair and secured it with a headpiece and veil that trailed behind her in sheer lacy glory. Tiny pearls were clipped to her ears. A shimmery necklace accentuated the low bodice.
Avery sighed. “You’re stunning,” she said. “What do you think?”
“Oh, I feel beautiful,” she said with a smile. “I love the veil, and I think this is definitely my favorite out of all of them. Carter?”
“Dazzling,” he said.
“What do you think, sweets? Is
this the one?” Avery asked.
Ally hesitated. Stared into the mirror. Opened her mouth. “I don’t know.”
The statement held a tad of desperation, and suddenly, Avery felt horrible. Had she been pushing her friend in the wrong direction? Pressured her to pick too soon? With the tight time schedule, it was vital to find a dress this week, but she didn’t want Ally not to love and adore it. That was primary.
Vera gave her a warm smile. “It’s okay not to know. This is your first trip, and sometimes it can be overwhelming. Why don’t we reschedule for Friday so you can take some time to think? I have two more dresses I can have overnighted to me for you to try.”
Carter unrolled his long frame from the chair. “Ally-Cat, just hang out for a few. I want you to try on a dress for me, okay?”
His sister laughed. “Are you looking for a new career or something?”
“Sure, maybe I’ll partner up with Avery.” He winked. “Be right back.”
He strode out toward the main salon with the racks as if he knew exactly how to shop for a wedding dress. As if he could tell fit, design, and what Ally would like from viewing it behind a thick plastic wrap. Vera chatted with Ally, trying to see if there was another style she’d like to try on Friday, and before long, Carter came trudging back with one dress.
“How about giving this one a go?”
Avery stared at it and almost burst into laughter. Vera looked thoughtful as she picked up the dress and began clucking under her tongue. “How interesting,” she murmured.
His sister cleared her throat. “Um, Carter, it’s not even white,” she said worriedly.
“I know, but you always said white washed your skin out. Will you try it?”
Ally’s face softened. “Of course. Be right back.” She trudged back into the fitting room with Vera by her side.
Avery shook her head. “You’re so arrogant, you didn’t even pick out a backup?”
One shoulder lifted in a half shrug. “I saw that one and had a gut feeling. You term it arrogance. I term it confidence.”
Love on Beach Avenue Page 6