Chapter 19

 

 

 

Afton

 

 

I turn and stare as a fire truck races past us.

Joel doesn’t react to the flashing red lights or the siren. His gaze is set solidly on my face. “Something tells me you’re hoping to get a glimpse of the wedding crasher all decked out in his gear.”

I suddenly regret telling my best friend that Luke is a fireman. I did that during dinner last night. Nelson was on a call with a patient while I sat at the dining room table with Joel.

He asked me if I’d seen Luke again, and in my infinite wisdom, I shoved half of a roll in my mouth right after I announced what my current crush does for a living.

Joel was impressed.

By the time Nelson came back into their dining room, my best friend had taken the conversation down a new path that centered on his career choice.

His audition for the movie is fast approaching, so he took the time to explain his potential part in more detail.

I listened intently as I chewed my way through the dinner my brother had prepared so Joel and I would have something to eat after work.

“Everyone turns to look when a fire truck passes,” I explain. “See.”

My finger wags in the direction of a woman and two small children. Their gazes are trailing the path of the fire truck too.

“You can’t count them.” He shakes his head. “Kids are fascinated by loud noises, and the woman is probably concerned that someone is hurt. Just look at the expression on her face.”

I glance in that direction to see the woman’s hand hovering over her mouth.

“She’s like you.” Joel smiles. “You worry about stuff like that too, but this time, you’re more worried about missing your chance to see Luke the fireman. I know you want to add that image to your fantasy rotation.”

Rolling my eyes, I chuckle. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m observant,” he counters. “You’re going to see him again, right?”

He stresses the word ‘see’ as though it has a hidden meaning. The goofy grin on his face only adds to his playful tone.

“I’m going to teach him how to cook something,” I say with honesty even though Luke and I haven’t communicated in days.

I assume he’s still interested in learning how to cook the pasta dish showcased on Rise and Shine.

“Is that code for sex?”

I widen my eyes as a couple of college-age girls giggle their way past us. “Joel, enough.”

“I’m no expert on what Warren was like in the sack.” He scrunches his nose. “But, I’m guessing he wouldn’t win any awards for his technical skills.”

I never discussed what Warren and I did in the bedroom, but Joel isn’t wrong. I always had to strum my clit to get off whenever Warren went down on me or when he was inside of me.

“Moving on to a new subject,” I begin as I roll my hand in the air. “Tyler called earlier. He wants us at Nova tomorrow by eight.”

Joel stops mid-step. “In the morning?”

I try to hold in a laugh. “It’s a good thing. Once you land that role in Ireland, you’ll probably have to be on set before dawn breaks.”

“True,” he agrees with a nod of his head. “I’ll be at your door at seven fifteen sharp. If I catch a glimpse of a certain sexy fireman with bedhead and no shirt, I won’t complain.”

Nudging my elbow into his side, I point ahead. “Let’s get moving. We’ve got a full day of work ahead of us.”

Joel takes wider steps as we approach the bistro we’re headed to. “I fucking love this place. I’m going to miss it when I move to Ireland.”

My heart clenches with those words. I know it’s his dream to star in a movie, but I won’t see him for at least six months if he lands the part. Nelson has been toying with the idea of joining Joel, so that would be a double loss for me.

I shake off the selfish feelings and smile. I won’t rain on his parade. I want this for him. “I promise that the day you come back to Manhattan, I’ll treat you to lunch here.”

He glances in my direction. “It’s a date.”

 

***

 

“You’ve been avoiding talking about them,” my brother says as he takes a seat next to my dining room table. “Tell me why that is.”

I instantly know that he’s referring to our folks.

When I had dinner with Joel and Nelson last night, I briefly mentioned that I stopped by our parents’ penthouse only to find out that they’d left town.

Joel seemed surprised, but I could tell that Nelson wasn’t.

I changed the subject after that because I didn’t want to turn the evening into my personal pity party.

I fall into the chair next to him. “We agreed on a time to meet to talk. They left town before we had that chance.”

His eyes catch mine. I see concern in them.

If I had been given the chance to handpick an older brother, I would have chosen Nelson. He’s always been there for me. He’s never faltered in his love for me. I value his opinion, so whenever I’ve gone to him for advice, I almost always find myself on the same page as him.

He cheered me on when I quit college to pursue my dream of being a food stylist and photographer. Nelson was integral in securing my first job. The father of one of his patients is a renowned restaurateur in Manhattan.

Hunter Reynolds owns Axel New York and Axel Tribeca. He gave me a shot at helping him update the images on his websites. It was my first big break, and with his endless list of contacts in the culinary world, my career took off.

“Mom’s so-called friends are bitches.”

I hold in a smile. “What happened?”

The question is semi-rhetorical. My mom’s inner circle is composed of judgmental women who are quick to criticize anyone who doesn’t behave in the manner that they think is respectable.

I handed them my mom’s pride on a silver platter when I blew up my wedding day.

Nelson runs a hand over his chin. “She got a few calls, a couple of emails, and a temporary boot from her position as co-chair of the charity gala.”

I don’t bother asking what charity gala. My mom has taken on the role of helping any organization that needs it since she retired. A few months ago, it was a silent auction to benefit the arts. Last year she helped organize a fundraiser to aid a children’s hospital.

“That happened because I left Warren at the altar?”

“Warren’s mom was the other co-chair,” he points out. “They were going to announce the charity gala at your reception.”

I put her in an even more impossible situation than I realized.

“It makes more sense now,” I say under my breath as I aimlessly slide a puzzle piece around the table, not heading for any destination in particular.

Nelson’s hand falls to mine to stop it. “What makes more sense?”

My bottom lip trembles. I’ve kept the words to myself because I knew that I’d break when I said them, but I can’t keep it inside a moment longer.

I catch his gaze with mine. “Cleta packed up my room. She’s going to ship it all here.”

His expression stays steady. “They just need time, Afton. They packed up my room after Joel and I moved in here. Don’t read too much into it.”

“My graduation picture wasn’t on the foyer table,” I add. “Yours was, and mom and dad’s were, but mine was gone.”

His lips edge apart so he can blow out a heavy exhale. “I haven’t spoken to them since they left town, but I will. Don’t beat yourself up over how anyone else is reacting to what you did.”

“That’s easier said than done,” I say through a stuttered, uneasy laugh.

He squeezes my hand in his. “From what Joel’s been telling me, Warren wasn’t in this one hundred percent either. You can’t turn back the clock. Focus on tomorrow. That’s the best thing you can do for yourself.”

Nodding, I swallow past the lump in my throat.

“Joel also mentioned the fireman who crashed your wedding.” He winks. “No one’s going to blame you if you focus some time on him too.”

A smile slides over my mouth. “No one’s going to blame me?”

“Joel and I won’t,” he clarifies. “That’s a great looking man. You could use the distraction, so if he shows up here again, let him in.”

“He’s in love with his ex,” I point out.

Nelson slips a piece of the puzzle into place. “I didn’t say marry him, did I?”

Shaking my head, I push back from the table. “We’re friends. That’s all.”

Grinning from ear to ear, he perks both brows. “That’s how Joel and I started, so…”

“So, I’ll start dinner,” I interrupt. “You can invite your husband to join us as long as we agree that Luke Jones is not up for discussion tonight.”

“Joel will be here, but there’s no way in hell I agree to that.” He moves to stand. “I’ll grab a bottle of wine from upstairs. The three of us are going to toast to your bravery.”

Tears pool in the corners of my eyes, but they don’t fall. “My bravery?”

He steps closer so he can press a kiss to the center of my forehead. “It took a lot of courage not to go through with the wedding, Afton. I know I’m not mom or dad, but for what it’s worth, I’m damn proud of you.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “It’s worth everything.”