“I accidentally spilled my coffee. It was hot.” My rudimentary explanation satisfies my kid, but I’m still unable to close my mouth as I take in Carina’s Instagram post.
She’s already pregnant by that fitness model?
Lord.
I’m all set to make an emergency Sister Circle call to gossip, when I zero on the time she posted.
Yesterday.
Like aBack to the Futurerewind, scenes from the Champagne Sip, domino-style and in sequential order, fall across my mind.
Carina’s post.
Marcello unnaturally quiet and whispering with Stefano before he ducked out into the alley.
The hurt and shame smeared across his face as he tucked his phone away when I walked out.
Us, in that dark doorway, working out his stress. Having fun…
It makes perfect sense.
Stefano wasn’t just nervous about being with me. We didn’t release weeks’ worth of sexual tension. He was trying to forget about his ex-wife’s baby news.
Keep it casual so no one gets hurt, right?
I guess I stand corrected.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Stefano
Avery has spentthe past week avoiding me.
Initially, when she canceled our Monday and Thursday ChatVideo meetings, and sent detailed emails instead, marking our planning progress, I figured she was simply busy. She’s an event planner. Dante and Morgan’s wedding obviously isn’t her sole account.
Understandable.
But now, I’m surrounded by my brother and the groomsmen, sitting on a cushy leather chesterfield in a tuxedo shop, mentally recounting another polite and professional, novel-length email that came this morning, and I know I’ve screwed myself.
At this point, I can’t even deny that I miss Avery. I’ve listened to all her podcast recommendations. I made a Nineties R&B wedding playlist. I’ve practiced our dance moves to the point I could lead a boy band. My Web searches consist of bridal planners to replace her archaic pink monstrosity, and every brand of toy cars there is. I’m now officially aCarsand Lightning McQueen merch expert.
Disney should hire me.
The worst of it, though?
I’m now sleeping with a stuffed prickly pear cactus whose tiny “Big Prick Energy” card brings me an inordinate amount of joy, daily. When I’m not cursing my fears, of course.
So, yes. I’ve got feelings for Avery Ellis.
Plain and simple.
Right out the gate, I’m crushing on the first woman I’ve spent any real time with after my divorce, which is just ridiculous. I’m supposed to be dipping my toe back in the dating waters. Open, as in, to women. Plural. Havingfun until it isn’t anymore, right?
But how can I even think of another woman when, daily, I’m waking up to X-rated reels of us behind Il Sapore? How, when I want to be back at her place in bed with that sexy smile teetering on her full lips every time that I touched her?
Dante snaps his fingers next to my ears, jolting me out of my thoughts. He and the other groomsmen are on their feet, staring at me expectantly like they’ve called my name a few times.
“Yeah?”
