She shook her head. “Sweetie, I tell the girls all about you, but it was someone else.”
“It was Jackson. He pulled it up and shared it with me earlier,” Mrs. Wray said.
I couldn’t help but glance at Jackson. He’d talked about me with his mother? Showed her one of my articles? I had no idea what to say to that, so I took another sip of my eggnog. The look he gave me in return held so much promise.
The other older woman, Sally, swatted her friend’s arm. Her sweater was covered in Christmas trees and had blinking lights on it. It was awful and I had to assume there was a battery pack on it somewhere. She was definitely getting the pedicure prize. “Quiet, Bev, let the girl answer the question.” Her gaze fixed on me with alarming intensity, but I frowned because I couldn’t remember what the question was. “A
re you bringing dates to your sister’s wedding?”
Before I could respond, Mrs. Wray chimed in as she swatted Sally right back. “I happen to know Jackson and Dash are free that night.”
The other women chuckled as Jackson interrupted with exaggerated patience. “You don’t even know what night the wedding is, Mom. But nice try.”
My cheeks were getting hot. Oh hell, now everyone would think we were in some sort of relationship. Word spread quickly in this town, and if my mother ever got wind of this, I’d never hear the end of it. This would give her even more ammunition to keep hounding me to move back.
“We’re just friends,” I said quickly. Too quickly. It probably sounded rude.
Aunt Louise’s gaze moved down to my waist where Dash’s hand rested very possessively, laughter clear in her voice. “Of course, dear.”
Then Violet asked the dreaded question. “Are you back for good then?”
God no! I swallowed down my instant response. I looked to Aunt Louise, half expecting her to chime in on my behalf. She knew better than anyone why I hadn’t come back to live, but she gave me the same inquisitive look, her brows raised. No help there.
“She’s just here for the wedding,” Jackson said. I had a funny feeling he and Dash knew exactly how much I hated that question and had taken pity on me.
“That’s too bad,” Aunt Louise replied. She shook her head as if truly sorry to hear I wouldn’t be moving back.
I gave a short, humorless laugh. “Careful, Aunt Louise, you’re starting to sound like my mom.”
She raised one brow at that, and though there was a hint of laughter in her tone, her eyes were filled with compassion. “Oh, don’t even say that.” Leaning in, she squeezed my arm. “I know it’s not easy for you at home, but you can always come stay with me.”
I opened my mouth to give a polite refusal, but found myself too choked up by the kind offer. Aunt Louise had always been my favorite relative, but offering me a home was going above and beyond.
“Or you could find a place of your own,” Sally said. “If you’re ever in the market, give me a call.”
Before I knew it, she’d shoved a business card into my hand. I glanced down at it, saw she was a realtor. “Oh, well, um…”
“Now, now, leave the poor girl alone,” Violet said.
I shot the woman a look of gratitude but before I could say anything, she kept talking. “You can tell her all about the houses for sale later. There are some men here I want her to meet.”
My jaw fell open, but Dash spoke first. “I don’t think so, Violet. Avery’s already spoken for tonight.”
I looked up at him in shock. I honestly didn’t know whether I should feel annoyed by his presumption or relieved that they were looking out for me. After all, it wasn’t like I wanted to be introduced to any more men. I had my hands full with these two as it was.
Mrs. Wray laughed and rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, Dash, she’s not trying to set Avery up—it’s clear as day you and Jackson have her in your sights.”
“No, we’re just friends,” I protested again. But no one was paying attention.
“Of course not,” Violet clarified. “I just wanted her to meet Rory and Cooper. They’re looking for someone to help promote their helicopter business for adventure tourists and I thought Avery might have some good ideas being in travel journalism and all.”
“I, uh…”
They didn’t wait for me to respond. Violet grabbed me by the wrist and started pulling. I looked over my shoulder at Jackson and Dash for help, but all I got was a wink and a smile. “They’re good guys,” Jackson said reassuringly as I was tugged away from my safe haven by the brownies.
“You’ll like them,” Dash added.
Clearly, they both knew Rory and Cooper and didn’t think either would steal me away. They were right. They were good guys and I did like them. Veterans back from the Middle East, they were grounded and beyond polite as they explained their business and how they wanted to expand.