Shameless lover: a steamy, friends-with-benefits, adult step-siblings, age gap romance (off-limits l
Shameless Lover: A Steamy, Friends-with-Benefits, Adult Step-Siblings, Age Gap Romance (Off-Limits Lovers) Lore Townsend
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Changing Hayden: An Age Gap Second Chance Friends To Lovers Steamy MM Romance (Uptown Heat Book 1) Zack Wish
Thisisaworkoffiction Names,characters,businesses,places,events,andincidentsareeitherproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorusedinafictionalmanner Any resemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,ispurelycoincidence
“Letmehelpyou.”Thesameorangebirdmaskedwomanfromearlierhasabandonedhercreepyashellblackskimasked partner and shoved her waythroughthe tightlypacked elevator toward me Ihand her the small maskand she ties the black ribbonsbehindmyhead.
“Thankyou”
“Remember,don’tevertakeitoff.That’stherule.”
“Rule?”Iwastoldtogetthemask,Ididn’tactuallyrealizeitwasarequirement “The only rule,”thewomangushesexcitedlyinmyear.“Havefun.”
The orange bird mask women promised there would be buffets and here they are, laid out like a cornucopia of riches throughoutthe giantmainroomofthe rooftop suite. It’s like someone was planninga weddingfor a millionpeople withan unlimited budget Seems overboard, but I’m not exactly complaining I eagerly load up a small plate with shellfish, decorativelyslicedveggies,andfruit.
I’mnotgenerallythekindwhojumpsoutonthedancefloor,especiallyatsucharambunctiousparty,butitfeelsdifferent here. Maybe it’s because we’re all wearing masks, but it doesn’t feel like everyone is watching me. My self-conscious tendenciesareabletotakethenightoff Maybethat’sthepoint.
Instead ofneedingmyspace, all Ineed rightnow is this man’s hands onmybody. Iplace themthere as we swayto the Caribbeanbeat.Thenoisycrowdaroundusfadesawayasthebubbleofmagicrisesupfromthefloortoencapsulateus. Twopeople.Onemoment.
What catches myeye is the rooftop suite, lookingalmost like a mini mansionperched up onthe roofofthe resort. The maskedmanmustfollowmygaze “Careforatour?”
Hepullsthemdownroughlyjustenoughtotakeinthesightofme HislipsgrazelightlyoverthelipsIshavedthismorning just incase so softlythat mywhole bodyscreams for more. WhenI buckmyhips toward his face, he pulls awayand stands.
He walks forward until he’s standingbetweenmyknees where mylegs dangle offthe edge He pulls up roughlyonthe bottomhemofmydressandmyhandsflyuptosavemymaskfrombeingpulledoffwithmygarment.
IrelaxwhenIrealize he’s not goingto argue. It’s not like Ispent mycollege years whoringmyasshole out, but ofthe handfulofguysImanagedtogetthisfarwith,mostofthemhadtobetalkedintoit
Icanbarelybreathe now thathis hands are beneathmybathingsuitbottoms, slidingover mybare, screamingflesh. His fingersmaketheirwayforward,oneofthemfindingmyclit “CanItouchyouhere?”
Onlyto have the air knocked outofme as I’mpulled to myfeet The manholds mybackclose to his chestand reaches aroundtofreemybreasts.Whenthebikinitopisdiscarded,hetakesoneineachhand.I’mpinnedherebyhistightgrasp,his fingersworkingmytautnipples,hisstillclothederectionworkingmybackside.
Torturoussuspense,buttheverybestkind
Then I’mbeing walked to the end of the bed where the man presses my hips up against the plush, padded footboard. Coincidentally orperhapsnot it’stheperfectheighttobendmeoveratthewaist,andhedoesjustthat “Staythereforasecond,I’mgoingtogolookforsome ”
The fingers that were inside mypussybefore slip right backinand curl into mybody Betweenthemand the wayhe’s suckingatmyclit,mixedwiththeanticipation,I’mgoingtobecominginseconds.Ibreathedeeplytotrytoslowitdown.
The manseems to realize this and slows himself. His suckingturns to licking, up and around myelectrified nerves. His fingersslowaswell,grippingharderinsideme,butslidingonlyaninchortwoinandout It’sreallyallheneeds Somehow, thecunnilingusmagicianalreadyfoundtheonlyspotinsidemeheneedstotouch.
The slow pace is onlyrampingme upmore quickly,as his movements getmore andmore specific andmore andmore ideallyplaced.
My body doesn't get the memo, however, and I can feel my hips pressing back, chasing more clit stimulation fromhis tongue.AsImoveclosertohisface,hepullsbackjustabit,keepingmeatthedistancehewantsme.Ionlyhaveafewinches ofplaybeforeIcan’tmovetowardhimanymorewithoutsurrenderingmypositionovertheheadboard
Icryoutinfrustrationand pleasure and excitement. The sound is primal, animalistic, and nothingI’ve ever heard come frommyownmouthbefore.
Butnothingcouldpreparemeforthisone FracturedbitsofsoundescapemylipsasIplungeoffthecliffofpleasureand into fullyuncharted territories. The manbetweenmylegs feels the second I tip into it and he changes his tactics to one of prolonging,ratherthaninstigating.
Withmyeyesclosedandbreathheld,Itakeallhe’sgot Ican’ttellhowmanyfingershaveslippedinsideme,itcouldbe hiswholedamnfistforallIknow.Suddenlyhe’scurlinghisfingerstheotherdirection,towardwherehiscockisburiedinmy ass Icanfeelhimfeelingtheslideofhistipthroughthethinwallthatseparatesthetwoentrancestomybody
For a second,the sensationofhimtouchinghimselfthroughmyfleshis the onlythingIcanfocus on,breathstill ragged, eyes still closed. Thensuddenly, his thumb hits myclit, pressingdownhard until he hits the bone and holdingmybundle of nervesthereashethrustshiscockdeepinsidemeoverandover
He’s sculpted and bronze like a man who lives in the sun. The sheen of sweat on his skin only works to highlight the chiseledcurvesofhim,thepatchesofgoldenhairandtheblackinkscatteredoverhisskin
Icansee the full sea creature now,the one whoowns the tentacles Iglimpsedbefore.The inkis oddlyfamiliar.Ifeel a flashofdejavu,as ifIhadseenthethingbeforeinadream Ismileatthethoughtofhavingapremonitionofthis particular night,howveryfittingthatwouldbeofmystateofmindlately.
Againstthescreamingprotestsofmybody,Ipullmyselfupright I’mabitwoozyforamoment,butIbreathethroughit The manlungesforward,intentoncatchingmeifheneedsto,butIsteadymyself.
Gettingtomyfeetisanotherstory
I’mhyper aware ofthe manwatchingme as Icollectmytinyscraps ofclothingand quicklygetmyselfdressed. Idon’t knowwhattosaysoIsaynothing.
Myjaw clenches withindecision. Justa second ago, all Iwanted was for this manto snuggle up withme and sleep the night.Shouldn’tIbehappythathenowwantsaproperintroduction?
TheguysandIhavetalkedalotabouthostingweddingsattheresortinourquarterlymeetings Thepropertyisperfectfor it,withits enormous center courtyardthatleads straightontothebeach,twofull restaurants,andenoughrooms for all ofthe brideandgroom’sdearestfamilyandfriends
IfIremember correctly, the lastconversationwe had aboutit hinged onthe idea of needingto find someone to runthe program bookthevendors,coordinate,thatsortofthing.
You can, certainly You could have been doing this my whole life, but you haven’t Isaynothing Afterthesilencestretchesonforafewmoments,Ihearanothersigh “There’ssomethingelse.”
I’vebeentryinginvaintoputthatwholesituationoutofmyheadallday.Ijustcan’tletitgo.ShewaseverythingI’dever dreamedof,droppedfromtheskyandintomylap Iwenttothepartywithoutadatehopingsomethingcrazymighthappen,butInevercouldhaveimaginedthenightgoinglike that I’musuallythe one callingthe shots and blowingwomen’s minds withmyadventurous bedroomprowess Last night, however?Igotfullyschooled.
Maybe I’m better off not knowing Thosekindsofthoughtsusedtobemuchbetteratconsolingme.SomethinghappenedlastnightthatshookmeinawayI’m notusedto
Andnoteventheoceancanwashitaway.
Chapter Four Avery
Afterariotousswimwiththegroupoffriendswhoflewinforthepartyandwouldbeflyingoutlaterthisafternoon,Ihead back to the resort to shower and change. It sounds like I need to get Samalone for a minute to hear whatever else Frederickwastoochicken-shittosaytomedirectly.
Strange as in, has yet to make my acquaintance. Not strange in any other way. As a matter of fact, the woman is pure perfection Youngassin thebestkind tall,muscular,withlongdarkhairfallingoverhershouldersinbeachywaves “Goodafternoon,”Istartasthewomanlooksup.“IwasjustlookingforSam.” Shesmilesatmeandit’sglorious.Lipssoluscious,Iwanttolickthemlikeicecream.
“Herandowntothefrontdesk,”shesays.
Iflop into one ofthe comfychairs against the far wall and cross one foot over the other knee. Casual cool guystance. “Well,it’sapleasuretomakeyouracquaintance ”
She’s gone before Icangetanother word out, butI'mnotconcerned. Ihave the full lead onher, and itsounds like she’s moreorlessapermanentfixturehereonFaraday Atleastuntilafterthewedding
Leave it to the guy with no father to not understand how important it is for me to stay mad at my father forever for everythinghe’severdone.
Oops, better not say that one aloud, Avery, you fucking asshole.
“Sounds like The White Sands is hostingits firstwedding We’ve beentalkingaboutitsince dayone” Itryto bringthe convobacktobusiness,butI’mhavingtroublereadingthelookSamisgivingme.“It’sagoodthing,right?Imean,sure,it’s family, but he’ll still payout the ass for this party And we canuse the pics for promo? I mean, this could be the start of somethingbig.”
Avery, you jackass. You just fucked your new stepsister. Betternotsaythat “Great,”Imanage.“Well,sheseems…competent.”Istand,Samstillgivingmethe‘whatthehell’swrongwithyou’eyes. “I’mjustgoingtogo forasecondto youknow”
Not the worst thingI’ve ever done byanymeasure, but the worst thingthat I amone hundred percent guaranteed to be caughthavingdoneinfrontofallmyfriendsandfamily.
So fucking perfect, Franzeska Ofcourse Idid Imean,whatelse wouldIhave done onthe eve ofstartingthis new job,whichmymother andher rich husbandpulledstringssoIcouldget?Gotobedearlyandgetagoodnight’ssleep?Wakeupatdawntogoforarun?No,no, no NotFranzeska Iwastakingshotsandgettingfuckedbyoneoftheresort’sowners mynewboss whoalsohappenstobe mymother’shusband’sson.
Leave itto me to screw this up royally Imean, was there evenanother option? It’s beenweeks since Igave the family somereasontogossipaboutmeatSundaydinner.PerfectLeonandhisperfectfuckingfiancé.PerfectAnnaandher…well,her kidsareactuallyprettyperfect,butthat’sbesidethepoint.
IthoughtIwas takinga step inthe rightdirection Iknow everyone gave eachother the classic “what’s Franzeska up to now"lookwhenIannouncedthatIwasusingmybusinessanddesigndegreetostartmyownweddingplanningcompany.They couldn’tunderstandhowitwasanydifferentthanthecateringjobIhadbeendoingthroughcollege Theyactuallyexpectedme totakeaninternshipatoneofthebusinessfirmsanddesignbusinesscardlogosfortherestofmylife.
Asifthey’dnevermetme
Well, they’ve never really met the real me, I guess.
His Instagramis a slideshow of his fantasylife beaches, helicopters, parties, far-flungdestinations He’s the ultimate trust-fund playboy. Last night was probablyjust a blip onhis radar. I’msure he does stufflike that all the time. It was his freakingparty.
I’mgoingto go downthere and do anepicallybadass job onstupid Leon’s stupid weddingand it's goingto launchmy company Hell,I'mgoingtodosuchagoodjobthatcoupleswillbeliningupoutsidemydoortohireme
Sure,itwasthehottestnightofmyentirelifeandIwillprobablybemasturbatingtoituntilI’mdead,butIcanletitgo I canbegratefulthatithappenedsoIhavesomethingtofantasizeabout.
Butevenas Ithinkit, Iknow it’s notgoingto happen. Ihave beenthe one championingthe weddingprogramsince the beginning It’stheperfectprojectformeattheresort sporadicburstsofworkinsteadofthedailygrind,schmoozingpeople, andproblemsolving.
Allofmygreateststrengths.
If I bail onthis wedding, the guys are never goingto trust me to take one oninthe future They’re goingto be a little surprisedbymylevelofinvolvement,especiallyconsideringthefactthatmyfatheristheonesigningoffonexpenses,butwho amIifnotamanfullofsurprises?
As muchas I like running, I don’t thinkthat’s anoptionthis time. Instead of avoidingFranny, like everyinstinct inmy rationalbrainistellingmetodo,I’mgoingtohavetoleanin.Bearoundhereveryday.Besohelpfulthatshewillneverfora secondsuspectmeofbeingadirtystepsisterfucker.
Ican’tfind a middle ground this is anall or nothingkind ofsituation. Since Ican’trunand hide, I’ll have to sinkmy clawsin
The wayhe collapses so suddenlygives me pause, butnotenoughpause to come to anyreal conclusions aboutwhatit mightmean.“Great.I’llstartnow.Atthismeeting.”
Whenshe speaks those words toSam,Icansee the genuine happiness inher face This weddingstuffreallyexcites her She’shappytobehere.Forthefirsttime,Iconsiderwhatanincredibleopportunitythisisforayoungweddingplanner.
TheWhiteSandsisoneofthepremierCaribbeandestinations.Ourrestaurant,Raft,wonthePendletonawardlastseason, the highest honor a restaurant can receive We’ve been almost completely booked out since For this young woman to be planningaweddinghere,well,it’sacareermakingopportunity.
Shegivesmealonglook,andIgesturethatI'minahurry.Finally,sherollshereyesandletsoutasigh,reachingbelowher deskand pullingouta purple portfolio witha gold dolphinembossed onthe cover She slips a yellow legal pad inside and holdsitouttome.
I imagine her long, slender fingers wrapping the straps around the folder to keep it closed after spending an afternoon fillingthepagesinsidewithideasandinspiration.
As her fingers graze over the flatcover, Icanmake outa small brand inthe verycenter a single word Her fingernail catchesineachofthelettersasshedragsitacrossthesurface.Ican’ttell whatitsays,butthere’snohidingwhatthefolder represents Thisiseverythingtoher
Thatsimpleleatherportfoliocontainsallherhopesanddreams.Allthepressureandwishesshe’splacedonherfuture.It mustlookso brightfromwhere she's standing, withnotenoughyears under her beltto know the truthaboutlife Aboutthe world.
ThesilencelingersuntilSamclearshisthroat Webothlookoverathim “Asyouknow,Franzeska,”Samstarts.Thewayherfullnamerollssoeasilyoffhistonguemakesmeenvious.WillIever beabletocallherthatandnothaveitsoundlikeataunt?NotlikelyafterthesceneImadedownbythepool WhyamIlike this? “This is the first official wedding we will be hosting at The White Sands. There have been other, smaller affairs, elopements,thatsortofthing,butthisisthefirstbigone.It’ssomethingwehaveplannedonaddingsincedayone,butwejust haven'thadthetimetoproperlyimplement.Thisopportunityissudden,butit’sagoodoneforus.Itgivesusachancetogetthe firstoneoutofthewayandseehowthingsgo.Iknowthisisabigopportunityforyou,aswell.Thisisyourfirst?”
I turn back to Fran and watch her transform from bratty little sis into a calm, polished, professional It’s fucking spectacular.
“This is the firstsolo weddingIhave puton, yes, althoughIhave worked many Iwas the assistantplanner for MaCree Events inHartford for the lastthree years, and Igraduated witha degree inbusiness and design. This weddingwill be the launchofmynewcompany,FranzeskaEvents.”
“ and Ido have some ideas thatIwantto incorporate'' She opens her portfolio and Icansee thatthe thingis filled to burstingwithloose,unlinedpaper,coveredwithnotesandsketches.Shepullsoutafew,passingthemtowardthecenterofthe table Imakeagrab,butSam’shandistherefirst IslidemychairclosertohissoIcansee “ThefirstsketchishowIseethealtarcomingtogether.Ithinkthatitwillfitperfectlyonthepaththatleadsfromthepoolto thebeach,butI’llhavetomeasuretobesure”
The drawing she’s referring to is a masterful pencil sketch of an elaborate arch of flowers with the ocean in the background.
“Thisisgreat,”Isay Shedoesn’tacknowledgeme.
“ThenextoneiswhatIenvisionforawelcomearea Wearen’tanticipatingahugenumberofphysicalgifts,mostofthem will havebeenorderedandshippeddirectlytotheir home,butIdowantanareawherepeoplecanleavecardsorwhatever they brought, and I can put the guestbook there as well I haven’t decided whether we will have disposable cameras or polaroids,butthat’swheretheywilllive.”
I look up fromthe incredibly detailed drawing of a table decorated with flowers, driftwood and candles prepared to questionwhether she reallythinks disposable cameras or polaroids are reallyappropriate Imean, this isn't a highschool graduationparty buttheearnestnessinhereyesshutsmeupbeforeIevenbegin.
There will be enoughcameras and polaroids for everyguestto have their own Itwill be the bestdocumented partyin historyifIhavetoflytothemainlandandprocurethedamncamerasmyself.
“The couple didn’t choose specific colors. Honestly, theydidn’t pickmuchofanything. The groom, Leon, doesn’t have much of an opinion about the wedding and his bride, Cynthia, hasn’t ever traveled out of the country. She got a bit overwhelmedjustlookingatpicturesoftheresort.AfterItoldhermyideas,shesaidthatshetrustsmeandwantsthewedding
IcantellFrannydoesn’twanttoanswerme,butevenshecanunderstandthatit’savalidquestion.“Thiswholethingwas mostlymymother’sidea.ThenFrederickgotinvolved,andtherestofthefamilystartedtalkingabouthowimpressiveitwould be,andbefore long,she agreed It’s possible she’s justinitfor the pictures Imean,she’s goingtobe able tomake a lotof HartfordsocialitesjealouswithherposhCaribbeanwedding.”
“That’s fair Okay,sowe don’tneedtobe double checkingall ofour plans withthe couple as we move forward?” Sam asks.
“Itsoundslikeyouhavealotofgreatideasandyou’lljustneedaweekorsointheresortandontheislandtogetthings settled,” Samsmoothlytakes control backlike the actual professional he is “Let’s meetup againnextTuesdayand go over somefinalplans,thenwecanstartarrangingvendorsandgettingordersplaced.Wewillneedtofinalizethemenusoonafterso wecangetthatcateringorderintothecafe”
“Soundsgreat,”FransayswithasmilejustforSam. He stands and glances nervouslyatme before collectinghis notes and exiting Frannyis also gatheringher things, butI haven'tleftmychair.
“Hey I’mAvery I’mFrederick’s son Iownthis place Ihear youaregoingtobelaunchingyour new weddingplanning company by coordinating your brother’s wedding here. I just so happen to be launching my career as Wedding Program Directoronthesamewedding It’smyfirstjob ever soIwashopingyou’dbewillingtohelpmegetoffontherightfoot”
Franny’s face takes on a look of pure satisfaction at my reaction “I am planning to launch my company and create a weddingplanningempire.Notsitaroundalldayandspendsomeoneelse’smoney.”
The dagger twists andIstruggle tosuckinmynextinhale.WhenIexhale,though,Iletthe paingo.It’s nothingIhaven’t heardbefore.Peoplethinkallkindsofthingsaboutmylife,onlysomeofwhicharetrue.Iusuallydon’tbothercorrectingthem, butthisdighitsabittooclosetohome.
“It’smorecomplicatedthanthat”Idon’tknow how muchtimeI’llhavewiththiswoman,andforsomereason,whatshe thinksaboutmefeelsimportant.“Idothings,justnottypicalworkthings.Like,forinstance,Iownthisresort.”
Sherollshereyesandshakesherhead “Whatever Ijustneedthisweddingtogowell” “I will do everything in my power to make sure it goes off perfectly. It’ll be the wedding of the century, rivaling any horseshitroyalwedding.”
AverytalkedmeintotakingatriptoSaubrytolookatflowersand“getthelayoftheland”asheputit WhileIknowthat I’mmuchbetter off beingshownaround bysomeone who seems to know everythingand everyone onthe island, my anxietylevelsarehighasIdropmywaterbottle,extrasunscreen,andahandfuloflocalcurrencyintomybag.
Ituckmyphoneintothepocketofmyshorts.Itmostlydoesn’tworkhereunlessI’monsomeone’sWi-Fi,butjusthavingit close brings me comfort Besides, I need to be able to take pictures of anything that strikes my inspiration for the locally inspiredweddingpaletteI’mputtingtogether.
And afterabitofconsideration,thatpalettemighthavetowaverabitfrommyoriginaldesign I’mnotlookingforward tothe‘I told you so ’ I’msuretogetfromAverywhenherealizeshewasright.
He’s waitingfor me infront ofthe resort, leaningagainst a verynice lookinggreenand blackgolfcart chattingwitha securityguard Whenhespotsme,hestraightensandsmiles
This is myfriend, mycoworker, mykind ofboss, mykind ofstepbrother. We are goingto town. This is a matter-of-fact situation, and Iwill act professionally. The floor drops out fromunder mystomachas his legs swinginand another tattoo entersmyfieldofvision.
My high school years and some of college, let’s be serious were filled with fantasies of the man showing up at Christmas, or to mybirthdayparty. He’d be so enamored withme thatwe’d end up flirting, gettingalongso well. And then dirtythingswouldhappen Dirtythingsalwayshappeninthesefantasies
WhenFredericktooktooneofhistiradesandconqueredtheobjectionsmywholefamilyhadaboutmebeingreadytotake this job planning Leon’s wedding effectively handing me the position I knew Avery would be here He owns the damn resort.
It’s one thingtofantasize aboutanoutofreachcelebrityinyour childhoodbedroom It’s quite another toputyour entire career andtheopportunityofalifetime onthelineforachanceatacoupleofrollsinthesheets. Nope It’snothappening
Thisguyhaspromisedtousehispowerandinfluencetohelpmepulloffanincredibleweddinginaplacewherethingsare abitmoredifficultthanthestates.Ishouldjustbegratefulandaccepthishelp.NotthatIneededhelp,really,butIhaveit,so that’sthat I’monethousandpercentsureIcouldhavedonethisonmyown,butI’mnot I’mdoingitwithAvery’shelp We pull outofthe circular drive and onto the bumpystreet. It’s onlya few hundred feetbefore the road turns into coral dust,soIenjoythesmoothridewhileIcan
Averyplants a strong, tanhand onmythighwhere it rests onthe seat mere inches fromhis own. I stare at it, tryingto breathe around the sensation of my skin melting under his touch. When I look up, he’s looking at me. Something in my expressionmakeshimpullhishandawayquicklyandplaceitbackonthesteeringwheel.
Anawkwardmomenthangsintheair
Iwanttobreakit,butluckily,Idon'thaveto.
“So,uh,flowers?”
“Yes,” Isay, too quickly, grateful for the segue into somethingless intimate. “Flowers. Ican’twaitto talkto the flower farmersandfindoutwhatwillbeavailableandwhichcolorswecanworkwith.Ithinkthatjusthavingthepartybewhitewith multicoloredflowersisgoingtobesobeautiful”
“Notwhite,green,andtealtomatchtheresort?”
Ilookover,thedetectiveinmybrainsearchingforanyhintofcondescensioninhistoneorexpressionlikeI’maccustomed togettingeverytimeIopenmymoutharoundmyfamily,butIcomeawayclean.“Thewhiteisgoingtomatchtheresort.ButI amimaginingbigbouquetsofpinks,purples,yellows,oranges,withthegreenery,ofcourse Itwillbewildandcarefree Like confetti.Likeagarden.”
“Haveyougivenanythoughttothemenu?”heasks,unawareofmytonesleuthing Ihave, ofcourse, givenhours and hours ofthoughtto the menu, butI’mhesitantto share too much. Istill have notfully allowedmyselftotrustthisman I’mstillwaitingforhimtotellmethatwhatI'mplanningisstupidandtakemyweddingaway Handitovertoapropergrown-uptoplan.
Ilookover athimsharply. “Whatdo youmean? The weddingis atthe resort,Ijustthoughtthatcateringwas partofthe deal.”
Heshrugs.“Thereisnodeal,really.We’veneverdonethisbefore.It’snotlikeyouallsignedabunchofcontractsforfood and beverage minimums or anything. Imean, I'msure thatkind ofstuffwill be required for future weddings, butthis is our wedding Wedon’thavetoplaybytherules”
I consider this in silence for a few moments. I don’t hate the idea of bringing in local food for the reception. It’s not somethingI’dthoughtaboutbefore,butnowthatI’mpicturingit,I’mlikingtheideamoreandmore
“Besides,”Averygoeson,“thelocalshereknowhowtofeedaparty.Raftisn’tgoingtocaterthewedding,andReef,while theycertainlyhave the capabilities, hasn’t ever done it before You’re goingto be lookingat the standard shrimp cocktail, Caesarsalad,chickenorfishrigamarole.”Heshrugsagain.“Imean,it’suptoyou,but…”
“Ah,therestaurantsarefine.They’regrand.Theydotheirjob.Butweneedtodoourjob,whichistothrowthewedding that is goingto launchthe career of one Franzeska Miller and Franzeska Events Someday, they’ll have anactual wedding programdirectorwhosejobitwill betosell thehappycoupleonshrimpcocktail,butthat’snottoday.Today,anythinggoes. Considermeyourfreepass.”
Ilookouttomyright,whereIcanseetheoceaninthedistance It’stheonlyseparationIcanmanagefromthemanwhenwe arestuckinthistinygolfcart,speedingdownthedirtroad.Ifhehappenedtostopthecartforevenasecond,IthinkIwould run
“Oh.” I hadn’t really considered how things get to and froma place like this. “So, he, like, has a boat or something? Planes?”Idon’trememberseeinganairfield,buttheremustbeone
“Marta!”Averycallsaswemakeourwayintothemakeshiftboothconsistingofrowsofflowercratesinalarge,oblong shape. The exquisite scentofflowers is almostoverwhelminginthe small, sunnyroom. There are so manycolors, so many beautiful,exoticplantstolookat.Isetdownmycoffeetotakepicturesofeverything.
