by LuAnn McLane
As soon as they entered the taproom Grace came running from behind the gorgeous handcrafted bar built by Danny Mayfield, her husband’s talented brother.
“Sophia! Avery! It’s so good to see you,” Grace said, nearly bouncing as she hurried. Her witch’s hat nearly toppled off her head in her haste. She righted it, laughing. As usual, she had energy to spare. Sophia used to think she was like the Energizer Bunny, never ready to slow down.
“Good to see you too,” Avery said. “Casting any spells?” He pointed to her hat.
“Not yet, but the night is young.” Grace gave Avery a kiss on the cheek. “I’ve been waiting for you guys to arrive.” She turned and gave Sophia a hug. Tugging her a bit to the side, she whispered in her ear, “If you need a break from the loudmouth over there catch my eye.”
Sophia hugged her sister and nodded. “Thanks,” she whispered back.
“Your sister and friends are over there.” Grace pointed to a picnic table hugging the far wall. Like many taprooms connected to a brewery, the atmosphere was casual but Grace’s witches theme gave Broomstick Brewery a fun, festive vibe that brought in a female demographic that many neglected to cater to. Mason had balked at the idea at first, but had since warmed up to the concept, and the result was a resounding success story . . . as well as a love story.
“Thanks,” Avery said.
“I’ll let Mason know that you’re here. Maybe that will get him out of the brewery for a little while. He’s been obsessed with the whole bourbon-barrel thing.”
“Yeah, I’d like to see him if you can pry him out of there,” Avery said.
“I’ll do my best,” Grace promised. “What do you two want to drink?”
“Bring me whatever is new on tap,” Avery replied. “I’ve tried everything else, I think.”
“Coming right up. Sophia?”
“Oh, I think Black Magic sounds good tonight. Mason’s chocolate porter is one of my favorites.”
“Me too. That’s the one Mason gave to me on the dark and stormy night when we first met right here in this building. I told him it was a girly ale and he didn’t take that too well.”
Avery laughed. “Wish I’d been there for that one. It might be chocolate but the AVB will sneak up on you.”
“Oh yeah.” Grace nodded. “I found that out pretty quickly. Well, looks like your sister spotted you, Avery. I’ll bring your ales over to your table,” she said and gave Sophia a discreet look that promised she’d come to her rescue. But Sophia wasn’t about to be rescued by her sister or Avery. With a little lift of her chin she took Avery’s hand and walked with him to the table.
Greeting and hugs were exchanged, friendly but with an underlying tension radiating from Ashley who sat down next to Zoe. Sophia had a moment of indecision of where to sit but Avery tugged her hand, urging her to sit next to him on the bench seat with Max. A moment later Grace arrived with their ales and Sophia barely suppressed a sigh of relief.
“Anybody else need anything?” Grace asked.
“A glass of water would be nice,” Ashley said. “This ale is a bit on the bitter side.” She wrinkled up her nose.
“Oh, would you like something different?” Grace asked, in a polite but cool voice. “Or perhaps a flight to see what you prefer?”
Ashley lifted one shoulder. “No, it’s okay,” she replied in a sweet but slightly suffering tone.
Grace nodded. “Okay, well, if you change your mind let me know.”
“Thank you,” Ashley said, drawing out the words.
Sophia took a grateful swig of her ale and sat quietly while the conversation turned to the upcoming bachelorette and bachelor weekend. The guys were going to rent a houseboat on Norris Lake while the girls were going to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for a weekend in the Smoky Mountains.
“Have you made the reservation for the houseboat yet?” Max asked Avery.
“I was waiting for the total head count,” Avery replied. “Colby just said he could go, but I’m still waiting on Danny’s answer. He had a fishing tournament scheduled for that weekend, and he was going to see if Jimmy Topmiller would take the reins for him.”
“Oh,” Zoe said. “Didn’t you read my text earlier?”
“No, what happened?” Avery asked.
“There’s been a change of date.” She flicked a glance at Ashley.
“What? Why?” Avery asked. Sophia could feel the muscles in his leg tighten.
“We have to move the date up to this coming weekend. Ashley has a commitment the following weekend and anything closer to the wedding would be too stressful, so . . .”
Avery shook his head. “But that’s the grand opening of White Lace and Promises.”
“I’m ever so sorry. Business,” Ashley said with a slight wince. “All of the bridesmaids are okay with the change of plans. Max, you checked with the rest of guys, right?”
“Yeah, and then Danny won’t have to ask Jimmy to take over the tournament,” Max said.
“See, Avery, it’s better for everyone,” Ashley said with a little smile.
“Well, not for me,” Avery said tightly. “I want to be here for the grand opening.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it, Avery,” Sophia said, eternally glad that her voice didn’t shake.
“Zoe, this is very last-minute,” Avery argued and gave Ashley a hard look. Ashley answered with a slight lift of one eyebrow.
“I know and I’m sorry,” Zoe said, directing her answer at Sophia.
“It’s okay,” Sophia said.
“It couldn’t be helped.” Ashley pressed her lips together. She gave Zoe a pleading look. “I mean I could try to reschedule but then I risk losing a client.”
“I can’t have you do that,” Zoe said to Ashley. “Avery, surely you understand.”
“Well, I can’t go, then,” Avery said.
“You’re the best man,” Zoe reminded him. “And Sophia said she didn’t mind.”
Sophia swished her hand through the air. “Don’t worry. It’s fine.” She turned to Avery and smiled. “Really. It’s just an open house.”
“See? No big deal,” Ashley said, and then took a swig of her beer. She smiled at Sophia. “Thanks ever so much for being so understanding. It’s so very nice of you not to put up a fuss.”
“Don’t mention it.” Sophia shook her head.
“Well, now, you’re just as sweet as can be,” Ashley gushed, laying on the Southern twang. “I just adore your little paisley dress. It suits you. You’re just as cute as a little ole button.” She gave her hair a flip. “I could never pull something like that off but you somehow manage.”
“Thank you,” Sophia said, barely keeping an edge from her voice. “I don’t follow trends.”
“Or set them,” Ashley said, drawing a surprised look from Zoe and a glare from Avery. “Oh, would y’all just stop? I was just joking.”
“I leave setting trends to my mother,” Sophia said, appalled at herself for dropping her mother’s name. What was it about Ashley that brought out the worst in her?
“Your mother?” Ashley tilted her head, letting her long black hair slip over her shoulder. She snapped her fingers. “Oh right, the swimsuit model.”
Sophia ground her teeth together, but nodded, trying not to get sucked into this but failing. “Yes, that’s right, the swimsuit model. If you’ll excuse me I need to visit the ladies’ room,” she said, hoping that Grace would get the hint and join her. She needed to vent or explode. She gave Avery’s thigh a squeeze. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay, don’t be too long,” Avery said and leaned over to give her a quick kiss.
“Y’all are just so cute,” Ashley cooed and scrunched up her nose.
Was it wrong that Sophia wished her face froze like that?
Yes, it was wrong, Sophia thought as she headed toward the bathroom door that had
WITCHES on it. Think nice thoughts, she said to herself, trying to catch Grace’s eye but failing. She wished she’d picked up her purse so she could text her sister but in her haste to get away from the snarky Southern belle from hell, she’d forgotten to snag her belongings. After she was in the stall she heard the door swish open. She smiled, thinking it was Grace to the rescue but the black heels that clicked across the tile didn’t belong to Grace and when Sophia came out to wash her hands, Ashley emerged from the other stall and gave her a snappy smile. “Well, hello there.”
“Fancy meeting you here,” Sophia tried to joke.
“Oh, you’re so funny.”
Sophia searched for something else to say, but before she could think of anything Ashley filled the silence. “Don’t take this the wrong way,” Ashley said slowly as if talking to a child.
“Okay.” Sophia’s heart hammered as she resisted the urge to cross her arms over her chest. Instead, she tried to appear casual.
Ashley leaned one hip against the edge of sink and continued. “I cheated on Avery.”
Sophia blinked at her, stunned that she would admit what Sophia had already suspected and had to wonder what else was coming. “That’s unfortunate.”
“Yes,” Ashley nodded slowly. “It is. See, Avery still loves me. He just can’t forgive me.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“I want to save you some heartache. I am the love of Avery’s life, So-ph-ia. He told me so when he put a gorgeous diamond ring on my finger. He will never get over me and he’ll never be able to love anyone else.”
“And just how do you know this, Ashley?” Sophia said calmly but her heart felt as if it might jump out of her chest at any moment and go running out the door.
“I know him much better than you do or ever will. You’re not from around here and you don’t know the ways of small-town folk. We’re all family; you’ll always be an outsider. Zoe is my best friend. The four of us are inseparable and we always will be. You’ll never fit in.”
“I’m not trying to fit in.”
“Whatever.” She gave her a little head bop.
“I’m guessing that Zoe doesn’t know you cheated on her brother.”
“No, she doesn’t.” Ashley shook her head slowly. “Avery promised me he wouldn’t tell and he keeps his promises.”
“Unlike you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “It was a moment of weakness.” She shrugged. “A hot baseball player I was working with. I’d had one too many martinis, and well, one thing led to another.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Meaningless.”
“Not to Avery. How did he find out?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“You’re making it my business.”
“Look, his ego was hurt but he’ll get over it.”
“You were engaged,” Sophia said hotly. “How could you do such a thing to him?” she asked, angry that this woman had hurt him. She wanted to give her a hard shove.
Something flickered in her eyes. “It was a silly mistake. I regret it. Look, I thought it was only fair for me to tell you that Avery will always love me and that if you stay with him, you should know that you are his second choice. Do you really want that?” she asked in a fake tone.
No, screamed in her head.
“Don’t you see?” she asked gently. “Avery is using you to make me jealous.”
“Avery doesn’t use anyone.”
“He may not even know he’s doing it,” she said. “But I know it.” She put a hand to her chest. “And deep down Avery does, too. Do yourself a huge favor and walk away before your heart is broken into tiny little pieces.” She pushed up from the sink and gave Sophia a tight little smile. “Oh and if you decide to leak the little secret that I divulged to you, Avery will know where it came from. Other than him, you’re the only other person privy to this information. So, if you blow your mouth and it ruins the wedding? Well, Avery will never forgive you. So this needs to be our little secret.” She raised both eyebrows. “Okay?”
“I don’t owe you any promises.”
“True. But you owe Avery since he’s taken you under his wing, wouldn’t you say? Helped you to fit in where you don’t belong?”
Sophia refused to dignify her question with an answer.
“Oh and I’m so very sorry about the change of date for the bachelor party.” She raised her palms upward and shrugged. “It just couldn’t be helped.”
“I’m sure.” Sophia gave her a level look and thought that the purple Mohawk might just happen after all.
“We’d best get back to the table. It’s about time to discuss what you’re planning to do with our hair for the wedding. I am very particular I’ll have you know. But I’m sure you’ll do a nice little job in your cute little salon.” Ashley walked past Sophia leaving a cloud of her cloying perfume in her wake.
Sophia stood there for a moment, stunned. And then white-hot fury washed over her like a tidal wave making her feel odd and shaky. Anger this strong was a foreign feeling for Sophia and she didn’t like it one bit. She shouldn’t give Ashley the power to make her feel this way.
“What a nasty piece of work,” she whispered, wondering how Avery could have ever loved someone so despicable.
But a nasty thought wiggled around in her head. Did he still love Ashley?
And is that why he hasn’t said I love you to Sophia? Was she truly his second choice?
“Oh . . . stop it.” Sophia closed her eyes and had to grip the cool sink. If it wouldn’t have ruined her makeup, she would have splashed water on her face. “Don’t let her get to you,” she said low and fiercely. Oh boy, but going back out there was the last thing she wanted to do. Fake it till you make it.
With that thought firmly in mind she inhaled a sharp breath, stiffened her spine, pushed the door open.
And came face-to-face with Avery.
19
Stuck in the Middle with You
Avery took one look at Sophia’s pale face and knew that something was terribly wrong. And he knew who had caused the problem.
“Sophia, sweetheart, what did she say to you?” Avery asked, trying to keep his anger at Ashley from exploding in his brain.
“Nothing you should be concerned about,” Sophia replied in a calm tone that didn’t reassure him one bit.
“Sophia, anything that bothers you is something I need to be concerned about.”
“Worrying is my job, remember?” Sophia asked with a bright smile that didn’t quite reach her stormy eyes.
Avery took her hand and led her down the hallway until they stood in the shadows. “Please tell me what happened in there.”
“There’s no need.” Sophia gave him a jerky shake of her head. “Let’s get back in the taproom and enjoy the rest of the evening.”
“There isn’t anything I can enjoy with her around. And I especially can’t enjoy myself if I know you’re troubled about something she said to you.”
“Avery, tonight is your sister’s wedding planning night. She deserves for this to be a fun evening. I won’t allow Ashley to spoil it for Zoe.”
“Well, I can tell you right now, I’m not going to the bachelor party or missing your grand opening. What Ashley did was bullshit and I see right through it. I can’t believe that Zoe doesn’t.”
“Maybe she does and is still clinging to the hope that this thing with me is temporary and you’ll come to your senses and get back with Ashley.”
“I’ve come to my senses and that’s why I’m with you,” he said, expecting a smile or laugh but her expression remained serious. “I won’t miss your special day that you’ve been working so hard toward.”
“No, I really want you to go to the bachelor party. After all, you’re the best man. I’m just having an open-house kind of thing. It’s no big deal.”
“It’s a big deal to
me.”
“Actually, it would upset me more to have you miss the bachelor party on account of me. I would feel terrible. And Max would be so disappointed if you didn’t go. It’s fine, really.”
“Are you sure?” In his experience, when a woman said something was fine, it really meant the opposite. Of course, his experience was with Ashley and not someone as kind and understanding as Sophia. Sophia nodded, and he let out an exasperated sigh. “What does Ashley think she’s accomplishing by pulling this stunt?”
“Avery, she wants to cause problems. Come between us. Don’t play into her hands.”
Avery shoved his fingers through his hair, but then nodded. “You’re right,” he said and leaned over to kiss her. “We won’t let that happen.”
“No, we won’t.” Sophia finally smiled but something in the depths of her eyes told him that Ashley had already accomplished her goal. He wanted to press Sophia for answers as to what was said but she had a fight-or-flight look about her and he didn’t want to upset her further.
“Why don’t we just get out of here?”
“Because we just arrived. There are plans to be made and you’re a part of them. Like I said, this is your sister’s wedding. She doesn’t deserve tonight to be ruined because of something Ashley said to me.” Sophia reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’m okay, really,” she insisted, but he knew otherwise.
Avery thought for the millionth time that he should tell Zoe the truth, his promise to Ashley be damned. And he sure as hell wanted to know what crap she just shoveled at Sophia. He looked at her sweet face, sincere eyes, and realized how very lucky he was to be here tonight with Sophia instead of being married to Ashley. “I don’t know what I ever saw in her,” he muttered.
“Love isn’t something we choose, but something that just happens. We can’t control who we love,” she said gently, but something flickered in her eyes and she glanced away. “And we can’t control the actions of others. I’ve never understood meanness, but in my experience, I’ve found that it usually stems from insecurity,” Sophia said and it seemed to be more to herself than to him.
