Page 35 of Text Appeal

Connor nods.

“I’m man enough to admit I tried to get out of it by hiding in the woods behind the house, but she found me. Damn her father for teaching her tracking.” Stuart watches the small stage in the corner. His wife is busy setting up a microphone and other equipment. “Mom decided not to attend. Said it would make her too sad, you not being with Ava. But she’s seeing her tomorrow.”

Connor squeezes his eyelids shut for a moment but says nothing. As per usual. He is a virtuoso at keeping it shut down.

“Should I not have said that in front of you?” Stuarts asks me.

I just shrug.

“To be fair, we really did think you and Ava would get back together. You two have been breaking up and making up since you were kids. It’s why I’ve always tried not to say any shit about her that could get awkward later,” says Stuart, so calm and matter-of-fact. “But good for you…you’ve moved on and you’re with someone new. For what it’s worth, Nic and I approve.”

“Thanks,” I say with much doubt.

Still nothing from Connor.

“We have a theory Ava booked Nic to perform to give you as many reasons as possible to make an appearance tonight,” continues Stuart. “She called Grandma too. Tried to sweet-talk her into attending. It didn’t work.”

Connor sighs.

“Hey.” Shanti joins our group with a plate of food in hand.She’s showing off her curves in a green bodycon dress with matching sneakers. “Nic made me come.”

“Me too,” says Stuart.

“She hits one bad note, or I have to make nice with one of the many town fools, and I am out of here.”

“There’s free cheese?” I ask, checking out her appetizers. “This party just got a whole lot better.”

“Table in the corner,” she says. “Try the pickled shrimp. It’s Harold’s specialty.”

“Did Cynthia bring her roasted chickpeas?” asks Stuart.

“Like she’d leave the house without them. I swear she walks around with a jar in her purse at all times.”

“Love those things.” Stuart checks out the room and winces. “We might want to wait until Ava and her posse have moved away from the food.”

A pop song is replaced by the sound of an acoustic guitar being strummed over the sound system. Nicole starts to sing in a voice both sweet and clear. There’re a lot of gossips in this town. But there’re a lot of talented people too.

“Wait.” I cock my head, all the better to hear. “Is that…Toxicby Britney Spears?”

Shanti is too busy holding back laughter to answer.

But Stuart grunts. “Nic was willing to take the money. But she doesn’t appreciate being used as a lure. Her choice of songs will likely reflect that.”

“Thought she and Ava were friends,” says Connor.

“Sure. They’re friendly.” His brother nods. “Up to a point.”

Connor just drinks his drink. There’s no visible sign he approves or disapproves of what his sister-in-law is doing. I am, however, picking up on a discreet vibe of displeasure. Whichis interesting. Having people on his side seemed to be his sole desire. Maybe being the subject of so much attention is irritating him. I don’t know.

Loud applause erupts at the end of the first song. Nicole is a talented singer and guitarist with a cool folk music style. No wonder she’s popular. She launches straight into her next songWe Are Never Getting Back Togetherby Taylor Swift.

I blow out a breath. “Savage.”

“I take it back.” Shanti selects an olive off her plate. “This was worth coming for.”

Stuart smiles happily. There’s such love in his eyes when he watches his wife. It’s bone-deep delight, warmth, and adoration all rolled into one. And when Nicole turns his way there’s a light in her eyes that owes nothing to electricity. Imagine being together for so long and still being happy.

My parents were only happy apart. Guess that’s why the idea of happily ever after seems so magical to me. It’s not something I saw a lot of in real life and my own heart has mostly been on ice. No one I’ve dated has gone the distance or made me feel like I had found the one. But there’s plenty of time. In the meantime, I will continue to go where my loins lead me.

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