Finding Forever Read online

  I averted my eyes as she continued. I felt a little guilty for not correcting her, but this wasn’t the time for my little divorce revelation. It was her wedding day, and I really didn’t want to hear any I-told-you-so chastening from her. “Can you believe it, Tori? An hour from now we’ll both be married women! We can have married lady lunches, and married lady shopping trips, and take couples vacations if Rafael is down with that, an—”

  “Des, you haven’t named one thing that doesn’t sound God-awful. What the hell is a ‘married lady lunch’?”

  “Girl, I don’t know, I’m just excited! I really can’t thank you enough for bringing Drew and I together. We wouldn’t even know each other if it weren’t for you!”

  Humph. I would think she had forgotten, the way she acts like the queen of good decisions.

  Drew had been one of my harder customers to match even though on the surface, he should have been easy. Sweet, handsome, tall, fit, rich, and smart, his qualities read like one of those lists I received from clients way too often, as if those were really the things that would make a relationship work. None of his great attributes could cover up the fact that when it came to women, Drew was painfully awkward, and it presented itself as an incessant need to talk.

  One day, in the middle of a conference call to coach him through that quirk — which was making him seem self-centered, and scaring away his matches — Desiree burst into my office in her usual bubbly fashion, gushing about the office space she’d found for her lingerie boutique. While I wondered why Des needed to come all the way from Chicago to Dallas to tell me about it, Drew caught a glimpse of her through the video monitor. For once, he was speechless, enthralled by my gorgeous, mahogany-skinned friend. I shooed her out of the office, but Drew insisted on meeting Desiree. They hit it off, and now, two years later, they were getting married.

  I charged a pretty penny for my services, but I had an impressive record to back up my rates. Of course, not every relationship worked out, because there was no way to account for every single quirk and nuance that came along with humanity. In the six years since I’d gone into business, it wasn’t often that I received the sad news that a couple had broken up, but good reports were frequent. I loved to hear about couples moving cross-country to be together, buying houses, and having babies, but the words I loved to hear most were “Please come to our wedding”, which is what brought me to the Maldives for Drew and Desiree’s wedding. Client’s weddings always felt like a perfect stamp of approval, the confirmation I needed that I was doing something that mattered.

  “I should be thanking you,” I joked with Des. “Drew probably would have fired me if you hadn’t agreed to go out with him.”

  “He wouldn’t have!”

  I sucked my teeth. “Girl please! You didn’t see the way he was begging me to introduce you two. ‘Tori, please, she’s so fine. Is that her hair? Is that her real ass? Please, Tori, you have to let me meet her!’ I can’t believe you’re marrying a man that begs,” I teased.

  A grin spread across Des’ face. “Whatever, Tori. He might do a little begging, but he’s mine. I really feel like he’s my soul mate.”

  The overpowering, nearly tangible love Desiree wore on her face was foreign to me. Sure, I’d loved Rafael when we got married, but it was shallow, and now that it was over, I could plainly see that a lot of my feelings for him were wrapped up in the fact that he was my last chance to have even a little of what was pouring out of Drew and Des in abundance.

  “That’s beautiful, Des. I am so happy for you.” My words were honest, but I had to force a smile to my face. Now that I was back in reality, minutes away from this wedding, the pain was rushing back, and it wasn’t just about Rafael. I was hurt over the things he had done, but it was the failure, period, that felt like a knife to the gut, and this beautiful setting full of happiness and love just made that awful reality even more palpable.

  Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I glanced down, realizing Des wasn’t in her wedding gown. “Des, the ceremony is supposed to start in like fifteen minutes. Let’s get you dressed.”

  Instead of turning to head to where her dress hung on the garment rack, Des hesitated, looking me right into my eyes. “Tori… are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, Des. Why?”

  She frowned at me, with her head tilted to the side. “Well, your eyes… they’re red, like you’ve been crying.”

  “It’s just the makeup. I got a little trigger happy with the liquid eyeliner, but I’m okay.”

  Not convinced, she narrowed her eyes, but turned away to retrieve her dress.

  Just make it through the next hour, Tori. That’s all you have to do.

  While Deidra and I helped Desiree into her dress, my thoughts drifted back to Avery, but I quickly pushed him from my mind. Sure, he was handsome, but he was Des’ brother, which was a big check mark in the NO category. Besides, after what she’d told me about him, the very last thing I needed was to get involved with a man like Avery— or anyone, for that matter.

  Across the room, I heard my phone vibrating in my purse. Just before it was time for us to take our places, I checked it, in case there was some emergency with my family, but the missed call, and subsequent voicemail were from my attorney, letting me know I was officially a single woman.

  Again.

  — Avery —

  I shoved my hands into my pockets as I turned away from door where Tori had disappeared. I’d stood there for a few moments after it closed behind her, still intoxicated by the seductive scent of her perfume. Floral notes, vanilla, citrus… whatever it was, I didn’t know and didn’t care. All I knew was Tori smelled— and looked— good enough to eat, and if I had my way, before the night was over, I would be doing just that.

  I ambled lazily down the hall, wondering why this was our first time meeting. I had better things to do than wonder about my little sister’s friends, but Tori was fine as hell, and I felt like I’d been slighted. It didn’t take much thought to conclude that Des had purposely avoided putting Tori and I together in the same place. It was the only plausible explanation for why I’d never met the woman she called her best friend, but the question was why? Why would Desiree keep such a sweet little treat from her loving, caring big brother? I stopped walking for a moment, thought about it, then headed in a different direction in the spacious resort. I couldn’t ask my sister about it right now, but I could spend a little time interrogating her husband to be.

  I grinned when I entered the room where Drew was waiting with his best man, Wes, for the wedding to start. I was glad to see my future brother-in-law was relaxed and ready to move forward.

  “Hey, you ready to become Mr. Desiree Anderson in a little while, man?” I asked as we slapped hands, and then pulled each other into a brotherly hug.

  “Ha, Ha, very funny Avery.”

  I smirked. “It is funny. I can’t believe you’re voluntarily signing up to get bossed around by Des.”

  “Whatever man. You look me in the face and tell me you can say no to your little sister.”

  I opened my mouth to offer a rebuttal, but the only thing I could do was break into a grin. Drew was right. I couldn’t find the heart to deny Des anything she asked for. Mostly — when she wasn’t on one of her bossy, motherly, rampages — she was a genuinely sweet person, so it was natural to want to make her happy.

  “That’s what I thought,” Drew said, standing in the mirror to make a last adjustment to his tie. “What brings you back? They ready to start?”

  Shaking my head, I leaned against the top of the dresser, facing Drew as he looked in the mirror. “Not quite man… I’ve actually got a question for you.”

  “Ask away.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, I did. “Des’ maid of honor… what’s up with her?”

  “You’re talking about Tori’s fine ass,” Wes said from the other side of the room, letting out a low whistle of appreciation. I lifted an eyebrow at him, sending the unspoken message that, at least betwee
n the two of us, Tori was mine to claim. He lifted his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “I don’t mean any harm man. Tori looks good, but I’ve got my eye on that fine ass bridesmaid.”

  “Hey, watch how you’re talking about my cousin in front of me, man,” I warned with a grimace. Drew and Wes were both good people, and Desiree and Deidra could do a lot worse. I was protective of them, but not so much that I didn’t give them room to make their own mistakes. The guys both had good heads on their shoulders, and I was sure I would never have a reason to kick either of their asses.

  “Anyway,” I said, turning back to Drew, “About Tori… do you know why Des never introduced us?”

  He grimaced, and I knew I wasn’t about to like his answer. “Listen, man… I’m not trying to get involved in any mess between you and your sister, alright?”

  “What the hell are you talking about, man? What mess?”

  Drew pushed out a deep breath as he ran a hand over his tie. “Ok… so, you can’t tell Des I told you this, but she didn’t want you around Tori because she knows how you are. That’s her friend, and she doesn’t want you screwing her over— or screwing her, period. Sorry man. But come on, Avery, you know how you are. Can you blame her?”

  Scowling, I turned away from Drew without answering and headed over to the window to stare out over the beach where the wedding was being set up. Des was always doing this shit with her friends. She had this idea of who I was in her head, and completely accurate or not, she was committed to it. It was true that I ran through women like they were going out of style, but they knew what they were getting into with me. They were adults, making their own choice to engage in commitment-free fun, and I was interested in seeing if my sister’s friend was interested in a little adult entertainment as well. Tori was gorgeous, and I wanted her. The fact that Des didn’t want me to have her only made that desire stronger. I prided myself on being a man who got what I wanted, and I didn’t anticipate Tori would be any different.

  Just as the sun began to set, there was a knock on the door from one of the resort staff, notifying us that it was time to start. Drew set off alone to meet the officiator and take his place, while Wes and I went to meet Deidra and Tori, who somehow looked even more delicious than she had before. Glowing honey-brown skin, full, luscious lips, alluring hazel eyes, and a mass of curls pinned away from her face. Damn she looks good, I thought, even as she turned away to avoid my eyes. I was fine with the view from the back too, and took the opportunity to let my gaze roam from her well-defined waist to the curve of her ass, and when she turned around, the magnificent swell of her full breasts, which I imagined were perfect underneath the soft, gauzy fabric of her dress.

  I took my place with Deidra, behind her and Wes as they locked arms, feeling a little jealous that as the best man, he got the honor of escorting the maid of honor down the aisle, while I was stuck with my cousin. When everyone was in place, including the bride and groom, I took the chance of taking my attention away from them to watch Tori. I loved my little sister, but wedding vows were boring, and her best friend was a much more interesting subject. In the fading light of the sun, her skin glowed like copper and her eyes shone like gold, lending an otherworldly quality to her beauty. As if she could feel me watching her, she glanced over, but her expression was closed. Her eyes only stayed focused on me for a moment before she turned her attention back to the ceremony, and she didn’t look away again until the happy couple had been pronounced husband and wife. Something had changed.

  Tori smiled her way through the pictures, but I could tell something in her mood had shifted, and I felt a thinly veiled melancholy from her. She disappeared after the last shots to help Desiree with her gown, and I hoped like hell she was coming back out to the reception. I had something in mind that could undoubtedly improve her mood, but I needed her around to do that.

  “Now what is a handsome man like you doing here without a date?” A sultry voice asked from behind me. Before I could turn around, the owner of the voice had made her way in front of me, and damn. Hot caramel skin, long silky hair, breasts, and ass were all in abundance, and from the look in her heavily lashed eyes, she was down to show me everything I couldn’t see in the tight dress she wore. Then, over her head, I saw Tori walk in.

  I had to check myself to keep from breathing a little sigh of relief. Why was I so pressed to see her? There were at least a dozen other beautiful women I wasn’t related to at the reception, including the one in front of me, not to mention the plethora of other beautiful women around the resort and surrounding islands. I really had no reason to be so caught up in Tori, other than the fact that I’d been told I couldn’t have her. Plus, she turned me down. I don’t do turned down.

  Anyway, Tori was easily— and effortlessly— badder than any other woman in the room. She walked into the reception with her hair freed from her updo, wearing a soft yellow dress that barely skimmed her body, yet somehow still showed off every curve she had, and her face free of the heavy makeup that was melting off many of the other guests’ faces in the warmth of the summer night. I chose to believe she’d changed into that dress and let her hair down just for me, but I didn’t immediately approach her. I escaped the girl with the lashes and watched Tori for a while as she mingled and drank champagne.

  “Avery…” I reluctantly peeled my eyes away from Tori to turn to Des, who had censure written all over her face as she approached me.

  Damn, are we going with this on the wedding day, Des?

  “What’s up baby girl? Why you looking at me like that?”

  She raised an eyebrow at me. “You know why. I see how you’re looking at Tori, and I want you to stop.”

  “What? She’s fine as hell; everybody except Drew has been looking at her. I can’t?”

  Des pressed her lips together in a disapproving line. “Yeah, you can look, but could you leave it at that? I don’t want you making her uncomfortable. She’s going through a little something with her man… right now, and she doesn’t need you flirting and being silly, making things more complicated. Deidra told me how she saw you two in the hall.”

  So she thought I cared if Tori had a man? I shrugged, then briefly glanced around the room to find Deidra so I could scowl at her like Des was scowling at me. “Dei needs to mind her damn business, first of all. Tori and I were having a private conversation. Anyway, she’s grown, right? If she wants me to leave her alone, she knows how to say that.”

  Des let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m serious, Avery. Drew and I are about to do these last little reception things, and then we’re leaving, and Deidra already snuck off somewhere with Wes. I need you to put on your ‘big brother’ hat and make sure Tori makes it back to her room okay.”

  “So you want me babysit her?”

  “No. Well…. yes. Yes, I want you to think of her like you would me or Dei, and look after her.”

  I couldn’t do anything but laugh at that suggestion. “Not gonna happen, sis. I’ve already imagined my hands in too many inappropriate places on her body to ever think of her as a sister.”

  “Ugh, Avery! Come on, I need you to do this for me. Please?”

  Shit.

  “Okay, Des. Fine, I’ll make sure your friend gets back to her room.”

  Des smiled, then gave me peck on the cheek. “Thank you Avery.”

  “Whatever Des.”

  I watched Des and Drew deliver their toasts, but didn’t bother with the garter toss. Tori apparently had the same idea about the throwing of the bouquet, because while two of Drew’s cousins were fighting over it, I found her tucked into a quiet balcony, looking at the last rays of the sun reflected over the water.

  “You know… this view is better from my villa,” I said as I approached, stopping to stand beside her at the railing.

  She looked up at me with a smile, even though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You’re not staying in one of those,” she said skeptically, tossing a handful of hair over her shoulder.

  I leaned close, sp
eaking right into her ear. “Or am I?”

  She laughed, then cocked her head to the side, as if she were contemplating it. “The ones right by the water, in the glades?”

  “From the deck to the water, twenty feet. Thirty tops.”

  I wasn’t lying— the view from the beachside villa I’d reserved for my stay was spectacular— but if I took her there, I was hoping to show her quite a bit more than the view. I didn’t give a damn about her ‘man’, especially if he was stressing her out. That only increased the likelihood I could get a sample of what she held between those supple, honey-colored thighs. Besides, what man with any sense would let a woman who looked like that come to the freaking Maldives alone?

  “Private beach?” she asked, leaning back onto the railing as she turned to face me. I nodded, then watched the ripple of her throat as she took the last sip of champagne from her glass. She had this sultry look in her eyes that was diverting the blood flow from my brain, and sending it to my groin at a rapid pace. Sliding her hand into mine, she gave me an expectant smile that nearly knocked me off my feet. “Show it to me.”

  I hadn’t expected her to be nearly this willing, but even with the possibility in mind that this was some sort of setup, I glanced around the reception to make sure both my sister and cousin were gone, then I led her out of the main building of the resort and down the lighted path to the villas, which were set into the glades.

  She was quiet as we walked, but every time I glanced down at her, she was looking up at me. Her eyes were glossy, which normally would have made me wonder if she’d had a little too much champagne, but her footsteps were steady along the sandy path. When we entered the room, I was immediately glad I had left the door to the deck open, because the warm breeze sweeping through made the sheer white curtains float, creating a first impression I couldn’t have pulled off any better if I’d planned it. A smile, a real, joyful one, spread across Tori’s face, and she immediately released my hand and headed outside, stopping at the deck to kick off her shoes before stepping onto the sand. I followed her lead, trailing behind her as she walked all the way out to the edge of the water, letting it lap over her toes for several long minutes before she spoke.