I go in for a hug, in which she squeezes me super tight until I can’t breathe.
“Ava,” I choke, “you’re squashing me, and yes, I do want your jumpsuit.”
She finally lets go. “You’re too skinny. Have you been eating at all?”
“Yes, but unlike your travel vlogs, I don’t sit around all day by the pool drinking margaritas. Some of us must work.”
Ava pinches my cheek with a wide smile. “Oh, poor baby is doing it tough?”
“Leave her alone,” Austin scolds, then leans in for a quick embrace. “Ava makes you think it’s margaritas, but it's mocktails because the girls are with us, and we learned our lesson the last time we got drunk on vacation.”
“Oh, what happened?”
“Just kids being kids. Wake up at dawn. Hangovers and young children don’t mix.”
“Right.” I nod with a grin. “So, what you’re trying to say is Ava fakes it?”
“Hey!” Ava pouts but is distracted by Emmy asking for a snack.
Austin cocks his head with a smile. “You know your sister very well.”
“Uh, my turn now,” Millie interrupts, placing her arms around me. “You look different, mature perhaps.”
“Can I take that as a compliment? Mom and Ava said I look skinny, but it was accompanied by a frown.”
Millie’s lips curve upward into a smile. “Sure. Why don’t we go check on Addy? She’s upstairs trying on her dress again.”
We head upstairs quickly to avoid Ava following since she’ll nag me again about what I’ve been doing. Down the long hall is a bunch of rooms with Addy’s on the far left. Millie knocks softly, then we both enter.
Addy is standing in front of the mirror, absolutely stunning in the open-back laced dress she wears. The design itself is simple but oh so elegant and timeless. I’ve never seen my sister look so beautiful. Her bronze-colored hair flows down her back, much longer than I remember and lighter too.
“So, what do you think?” Addy asks with a big smile on her face. “I’m so happy you’re here, little sister. You look well-traveled.”
“I think you look beautiful and not nervous like your soon-to-be husband,” I tell her, then hug her carefully not to ruin the dress. “Are you nervous, though?”
Addy shakes her head. “Nah, I love him, and it’s just our family.”
After one more glance in the mirror, Addy extends her hands to reach out for mine. There’s a twinkle in her eye, some might call it love I suppose. My sister looks happy, and that makes me happy to see her finally say I do with the man she loves.
“The ceremony will be over before you know it. Soon you’ll be Mrs. Cooper.” Millie grins.
Addy squeezes my hand tight then squeals as Millie and I both laugh.
“I love the sound of that.”
SIX
The rehearsal dinner ischaos.
I thought last night’s so-called relaxed dinner was chaotic, but now the rest of the family has arrived, this is chaos chaos.
My Uncle Noah and Aunt Kate, plus my cousins Nash and Sienna were the first to arrive. I’m pretty sure Nash only came to hook up with some French chicks since he only cares about his dick. He once told us the only reason he went to USC is because he read somewhere it rated the best college with the hottest chicks. I don’t know what forum he read that on, but chances are there was no merit or studies behind it.
Sienna had recently moved to Manhattan to pursue her modeling career, much to Uncle Noah’s disapproval. I remember when Uncle Noah showed up to our house late one night trying to convince Mom to talk some sense into Aunt Kate for allowing Sienna to model. At the time, it wasn’t anything major until she started getting more noticed. Sienna told us in our group chat that when she mentioned Victoria’s Secret to him, he almost disowned her. He’s so much like Dad. Arrogant, close-minded, and so controlling with his daughters.
They have their own château next door and staying with them are my Aunt Adriana and Uncle Julian, along with my cousins Luna and Willow. The place is big enough for everyone, thank God. Our place feels like a nuthouse with all the crazy kids running around.
Eric, of course, came with Tristan. They’re staying in some place in town which Ava thinks is a French swingers club. I chose not to ask, given I wanted to keep my dinner down. Of course, she went on and on about swinging which in my opinion, she knew way too much.