Holly's Wishes (2 page)

“Ooh, I almost forgot—I’ll be back in a minute,” Holly said, breaking away during the second song. She hurried up on stage to whisper in the ear of the lead singer of the band and returned to Tessa, smiling, as she waited for the music to end.

Moments later, the singer announced, “May I have everyone’s attention please? The Maid of Honor would like to toast the happy couple.”

He waited for Holly to grab her champagne before handing over the microphone. The wait staff quickly made their rounds, refilling everyone’s glasses. Ava and Max took their drinks and sat down at the head table.

Looking at her sister and brother-in-law, Holly started, “Ava, Max … this is kind of a strange toast for me to make. Not strange as in weird, but strange as in different. I’ve never made a wedding toast before to a couple who weren’t actually newlyweds.” She scanned the room before asking, “I’m allowed to say that, right? It wasn’t a big secret that the two of you have already been married for almost five years?”

The two of them nodded as the room burst out laughing.

“Phew, that would have been really uncomfortable for all of us if I’d let that little secret out,” Holly continued. “But, since we’re all good, as I was saying, normally in these kinds of speeches, the sister of the bride welcomes the groom into her family. However, Max, you’ve been a part of our family for a while. I’m  thrilled we haven’t scared you away.” Pausing, she waited while everyone’s chuckles ended. “I’ll never forget the day we met. You sat at our family’s kitchen table in front of all of us—Mom, Dad, Tessa, and myself—while Ava slept on the couch. You know she broke the cardinal rule, don’t you? She left the boyfriend alone with the family on the first meeting. That was a big no-no.”

Max laughed along with Ava and everyone else.

“Luckily, you handled yourself like a champ,” she continued. “You even managed to convince Mom and Dad to allow my sister to move across the country with you after only knowing her a few weeks. That, my friend, was a bold move … very impressive. Of course, I don’t think they expected you to knock her up after a couple of months, but we won’t discuss that. Oops.”

She blew Ava a kiss, who stuck her tongue out in return.  Jenna may have been unplanned, but she was one of the most adored members of the family. She was also currently fast asleep in a side room with a babysitter; otherwise, Holly never would have brought up the subject so crudely.

“Ava, when you first called me to tell me about Max, you didn’t exactly sound head over heels. In fact, it was sort of the opposite. I’m not going to go into the specifics of how you first met. I’m not sure it’s appropriate to give Dad a heart attack at your wedding, or embarrass you further in front of your guests.” With a wink, she mouthed the words, “Tell you later, Dad.” Holly glanced back over to Ava and Max. “However, I will say that when you two did come to your senses … you fell hard and fast. In fact, I can honestly say, I’ve never witnessed a love quite like the one between the two of you before.” She peeked toward the bar where Jared was talking to yet another scantily clad woman and made a mental note to talk to Ava about her friends’ clothing choices. “Now, five years later, that love is as strong as ever, and I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. Ava, Max, I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness. Max, welcome to the family … again.”

Raising her glass, Holly took a sip of her champagne, and handed the microphone back to the singer. As she walked over to hug her sister and brother-in-law, she spotted someone at the edge of the room. Could it be?

Chapter 3

Holly strained her eyes trying to figure out if it was really
him.
She couldn’t be a hundred percent sure. She hadn’t seen him since high school. It certainly
looked
like him, but if it was, what was he doing here? She knew he wasn’t one of Ava’s friends. At least she didn’t think he was. Unless … did they go to college together? She supposed it was possible. Or maybe Max knew him, but Max wasn’t even from Forest Hills. His family lived almost four hours away.

Oh hell, Holly. If you don’t go over there you’ll never know
. She took small sips of her drink as she gathered the courage to approach him. He was sitting alone, typing on his phone.

“Hol.” Jared grabbed her arm  as she’d started to walk toward the mystery man. Swinging her around, he nearly spilled champagne all over her gown. “Come dance with me, baby. We never dance anymore, and you look so hot tonight.” He dragged her toward the band.

“You’re drunk,” she replied matter-of-factly, tugging back. The last thing she wanted to do was make a fool of herself in front of this crowd with her sloshed boyfriend.

“I’m only a little buzzed. Have some fun with your old man.” He was stronger and determined, and she reluctantly let him pull her onto the dance floor.

She glanced over to where
he
was sitting, but his chair was now empty.
Shoot.
She tried to back up as Jared flung himself around in a series of embarrassing moves resembling something out of a seventies disco flick. Before she could get out of the way, he grabbed her wrist, yanking her into
Saturday Night Hell
. His attempt at twirling her around resulted in him knocking her into several other couples, while he went sliding up onto the stage, knocking the singer into the keyboard player.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, twisting around, mortified. She was grateful to feel someone else grab her other hand.

“You don’t mind if I steal your lovely girlfriend away for a few minutes do you?” Ava asked as Jared rolled back down to the floor, her tone and expression completely innocent.

“Huh?” he questioned, straightening up and seemingly disoriented. “Uh … no. I’ll go get another drink.”

“Thanks,” Holly murmured to her sister as she stumbled toward their empty table, still trying to get her balance back.

“You seemed like you could use rescuing. What’s with him anyway?”

“Oh, the usual. Too much to drink, and now he’s making an ass out of himself. Don’t worry. At the rate he’s going, he’ll be passed out before dinner is served. I’ll just prop him up on a chair in the lobby, and you won’t even know he’s here. We can drape coats over him or something.”

Ava laughed. “Sounds like a plan. Hey, we could put out a tip basket and give the coat room some competition.”

Holly joined in the laughter as they took a seat at the bridal table. She was grateful for a chance to give her feet a rest. Between walking around all day in high-heels and the nightmarish dance escapade with Jared, sitting felt like heaven. She peeked over to the table across the room.
He
was back.

 “Hey, Ava,” she started, “do you know—”

“Oh, Hol,” her sister interrupted. “Have you ever met Cynthia?”

A beautiful older woman with perfectly styled platinum hair, wearing a gorgeous blue silk gown, approached their table.

“From the gallery?” Holly asked, her aching feet protesting as she rose.

Cynthia nodded. “You must be one of Ava’s sisters. She’s talked so much about you both, I feel like I already know you. Now let me guess—gorgeous blonde hair, stunning blue eyes. You must be Holly?”

“Yes, that’s right. And thank you.”

“Well, it’s a pleasure to finally meet.”

“And you as well,” she replied, taking the hand Cynthia held out to her.

Ava stood up, too. “One of these days I need to make a trip back to Wolfenson to visit. I haven’t been there in so long. I really miss it.”

“It hasn’t been the same without you,” Cynthia told her, letting some sadness through in her voice. “From what I hear, you’re doing quite well for yourself out in California. It sounds like the Silver Leaf Gallery is the talk of the town.”

“I don’t know about that, but I do love working there. I still can’t thank you enough for helping me get my job. It’s been a dream come true.”

Holly could tell by the woman’s warm smile how much she admired her sister. “You wouldn’t have gotten the job if you didn’t deserve it.” Cynthia turned to Holly. “Are you in the art field as well?”

“Me?” She tried to hold back her laughter. “No. I can barely draw a stick figure. Ava was blessed with all the talent in our family.”

“Oh, now, my sister is being modest. Holly teaches math to fifth graders. If you ask me, that takes much more talent than anything I do.”

“Indeed! Well, I’ll let you two get back to the rest of your guests. It was lovely to meet you, Holly, and Ava, I hope we can chat more before you head back.” She kissed each of the sisters on both of their cheeks, in a very high-fashioned style, before walking off toward another group of guests.

“I can see why you like her,” Holly said. She looked back over to where the mystery man was sitting, now deep in conversation with the man next to him.

 “Ah, so this is where my beautiful bride is hiding,” Max said, leaning in to give Ava a kiss. “Jared seems like he’s having fun, Hol, eh?”

Glancing over to the dance floor, she braced herself for whatever he was up to now. She shook her head as she watched. He was on the ground, in the center, doing some sort of pseudo-breakdancing move, while a circle of women surrounded him, clapping their hands. In all honesty, it looked more like he was squirming around on his back trying to peek up their skirts.

“Yeah.” Holly couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her voice, rolling her eyes in disgust as she watched the man she hoped to marry one day make a spectacle of himself.

“Are you okay?” Ava asked gently.

“I’m fine,” she answered, curling her lips into a sorry excuse for a smile.

“Well if you’re sure …” Ava peered over to a group of people Holly didn’t recognize. “Those are some of the artists we’ve hosted over the years at the gallery.”

“Go. You need to mingle, ” Holly said, squeezing her hands. “I’m good—I promise.”

“Okay,” Ava said, giving both Max and Holly pecks on the cheek, before sauntering off.

“Yep, I’m just fine,” she said again. Holly stood there with Max as they watched Ava kiss the artists the same way Cynthia had kissed them moments before.

“She’s become quite the business woman.” A tender expression crossed Max’s face as he watched his wife.

“It’s nice to see her so excited about her career,” Holly agreed.

 “It’s been a rough road. First she had the difficult pregnancy and then separation anxiety leaving Jenna to go back to work. It was easier when I was helping out with childcare, but I’ve been flying a lot more for work these days, so I’m not around as much. She loves her job, but it kills her to leave Jenna with the nanny. She puts up a good front though, doesn’t she?” Max seemed worried as he watched Ava mingle with their guests. “I should probably go join her.”

Studying her brother-in-law, Holly pondered the information he’d shared. She had no idea Ava was struggling to balance work and parenting. She’d never mentioned it to her before. But then she supposed if Ava wanted her to know, she’d have said something. Sighing, she glanced over to the other table again.
He
was still there.

“Wait. Before you go, do you know that guy sitting over there? He looks familiar to me.”

“That’s my cousin, Ben,” he told her.

“Ben … Oakes?” she asked.
His cousin?

“Yeah,” Max said. “You know him?”

Holly nodded, still watching him from across the room. “We went to high school together.”

Chapter 4

“Excuse me,” Holly said hesitantly, standing to the side of where he sat deep in conversation with the person sitting next to him. She hated to be rude, but she knew if she didn’t speak up right then, she’d completely lose her nerve and walk away. “Ben?”

He glanced over his shoulder, and she saw his lips turn up in a smile. “Ah, so it is you! Holly Haines. I thought it was … I mean, of course, it had to be. Ava’s your sister. You just look so different. Sit, please.” Standing, he pulled out the empty chair beside his own.

“Ben,” said the man he’d been talking with, “it was great to see you. Glad we could catch up.” They shook hands before he walked off.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“No, not at all.” He sat back down next to her. “That was an uncle I hadn’t seen in years. To be honest, I barely even remembered his name, and he was boring me to tears going on and on about a trip to Pittsburgh he took to sell dental products. Or maybe it was Cleveland. He lost my attention about ten minutes ago.” He chuckled. “So, Holly Haines. Wow. Max is my cousin. I didn’t crash the party here, in case you were wondering.”

“No,” she laughed. “I figured you were invited. Does that make us related now?”

Peering up at the ceiling as if deep in thought, he smiled. “Hmm … I don’t think so,” he said.  “So how have you been? I don’t think I’ve seen you since high school. I barely recognized you. You’ve grown up quite a bit. I mean … that didn’t come out right. You look … great.” He shook his head and turned red.

Holly put her hands up to her face to try to hide her own blushing cheeks. “Thanks, I think, and you look about the same … different haircut. And you used to wear glasses, right?”

“Yup. I finally made the switch to contacts and got rid of those awful metal frames. The hair probably looks different because I traded in that feathered back rock star wanna-be do for something a little more current.”

Holly laughed. She had to admit he looked good.
Really good.
Although she always thought he was one of the cutest guys in her school.

He picked up his drink, and she couldn’t help but notice he wasn’t wearing a ring. No date and no ring. Interesting.
Stop it, Holly. You’re here with your boyfriend. Your live-in boyfriend, remember?

She watched as Jared staggered across the floor, tripping over his own feet. The good news was he narrowly missed crashing into the three-tiered wedding cake. The bad news was that he stumbled into an elderly woman instead. She wound up with his drink down the front of her dress …  and by the way she was screaming at him, she was
not
happy. Holly shut her eyes as if trying to erase the scene from her memory.