Four Day Fling

I laughed. “In Hollywood and only if you’re willing to sell your soul to the devil.”

“Then you’re fine, because you were birthed by the devil.” She grinned. “I think you should try.”

“Hmph. We’ll see. For now, let’s get through today. I’m ready for this wedding to be over and see my sister get married.”

“All right, all right.”

***

“Avery, did I tell you about that time in Amsterdam?” Grandpa said, leaning across the table with his eyes wide.

Avery hesitated. “Which time was that?”

Ding ding, wrong answer.

“The one with the British prostitute with tits like Jupiter.”

“I’ll get more place cards!” I scrambled up and ran to the other side of the room. While Avery may not have heard it, I’d heard it the night before, and I really didn’t want to hear about it again.

He’d picked his topic of conversation for this family gathering, and when my mom found out, she was going to have steam come out of her ears.

Arms slid around my back and lips kissed the side of my jaw. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I said to Adam. “You can let go. Grandpa’s too busy telling Avery about Jupiter to pay attention.”

“Not her again.”

“Yep.”

“Your dad’s probably coming, so I’ll keep hold of you for now,” he muttered. “We got interrogated in the gym by your mom.”

I picked up a stack of name cards for the tables and spun in his arms, tilting back to meet his eyes. “I bet that was fun.”

“Apparently Mark has to make sure all the suits for the groomsmen are correct and your dad needs to be here helping, and hell, since I was there too, I have to help.”

“Ha!” I tapped his nose and passed him the cards. “They have to go in these little stands.” Extracting myself from his arms, I picked up the box that had the cute little stands in.

“This is what she’s got us doing?”

I nodded. “We’ve only done sixty. Not all the cards are cut to perfection, so we have to trim some. Grandpa is supposed to be helping, but…” I cut a look his way.

“He’s drinking a Bloody Mary and telling stories about Amsterdam.”

“Mhmm. We’re hoping he’ll fall asleep soon. We asked them to put an extra shot in this drink.”

“I thought you were keeping him off alcohol.”

“We were. Then we got tasked with this bullshit, so.” I lifted the box with a grimace and headed back for the table.

“And let me tell you.” Grandpa clutched his drink, slightly glassy-eyed. “She could ride a bull like a cowboy, if you know what I mean.”

Avery nodded solemnly. “I do. I bet she was expensive.”

“Worth every damn cent!” he cackled. “Adam, you ever been to Amsterdam?”

“Yes, sir,” Adam said, putting the cards down. “I went when I was sixteen.”

Grandpa leaned forward. “I’ll take you one day! We’ll have the best time!”

I sat on the table with a sigh, using a chair a footrest. Adam picked my shoeless foot up and sat down, resting it on his thigh instead with a wink at me.

I rolled my eyes.

I needed more Tylenol.

“Grandpa, you’d never make the journey,” I reminded him. “Your doctor said no flights longer than three hours.”

“He also said no Bloody Marys,” he cackled again. “And look what I have!”

“Don’t shout so loud. As far as Mom knows, it’s tomato juice to curb your addiction.” I slid a card into the holder and set it to the side with the completed ones.

He went to say something, but he was interrupted by the slamming of the door.

We all jerked around.

Rosie was flat against the door, wearing yoga pants and a tank that had a slice of pizza on it and the words “Love Triangle.”

“I’m gonna steal that shirt,” I said, inserting another card. “Yours is backward,” “I said to Adam. The little bird goes at the front.”

He sighed. “My fingers are too big for this.”

Avery snorted. “Only time a man will ever complain about being too big for something.”

Grandpa did his signature cackle and hiccupped.

“I’m glad you’re all having such fun,” Rosie said tensely.

“Not really. I’m bored out my fucking min.” I looked back up at her. “Why do you look like the police are after you?”

“They are!” she whispered. “The wedding police! Mom and the planner are on my back! I wanted to go to the gym because, hello, I get married today and I’m freaking out and panicking and I’m scared and I just want to let off steam, she’s on my back about cupcakes and flowers and when do the bouquets arrive and am I sure about that table and is Grandpa seated too close to the bar?”

“I’ll sit at it, petal, no problem.” More cackling. “Drink?”

Rosie looked at the Bloody Mary and took it. She sipped, then winced, making face. “Jesus! How much is in that?”

“Sending him to sleep,” Avery answered. “Then he can’t get into trouble.”