Free Wish Upon a Wedding by Luann McLane Page B

what was bothering him.
    â€œSophia!” He pushed the cell phone away and reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “Congratulations! Are you excited?”
    â€œYes!” Sophia nodded. “And of course Mom, Grace, and Garret are over the moon that I’m moving here for good. Grace is already starting to come up with a marketing plan. But it’s all happened so fast that my head is still spinning.” She made circling motions around her ears. “I’m usually much slower to make this kind of big decision.”
    â€œThey’re not the only ones happy that you’re moving here for good.” Avery gave her hand a tighter squeeze. “Let’s order a bottle of champagne.”
    â€œOh, you don’t have to do that. . . .” Sophia protested but Avery shook his head causing his curly hair to dip over his forehead in such an adorable way. She had the urge to reach over and brush the curls back justto feel the silky texture between her fingers. The blue sweater brought out his eyes and was just snug enough to show off the wide set of his shoulders and defined arms. “Really.”
    â€œToo late. I already did. Besides, this is big news! We need to celebrate.” His bright smile made Sophia long to lean across the table and get the kiss she’d been wanting but his phone pinged bringing another frown to his face. He glanced at it as if it was a snake ready to strike.
    â€œIs everything okay?” Sophia tilted her head as she shrugged out of her coat.
    â€œYeah, it’s just my sister’s wedding plans again. To be honest, she’s been driving me crazy.”
    â€œIt’s okay if you need to answer the text or give her a call.” Sophia smiled. “I’m quite familiar with bridal jitters.”
    â€œNot this kind,” Avery said, but before he could elaborate the server approached them with the bottle of champagne.
    The young guy named Chad looked a bit nervous to pop the cork. “Thought I should warn you. I’ve only done this once at home and it didn’t end well,” he admitted as he untwisted the wire cage. “I have trouble enough with wine bottles.”
    â€œShould we duck for cover?” Avery asked.
    â€œMaybe . . .” Chad looked at the bottle with trepidation.
    â€œHold it at a forty-five-degree angle and don’t twist the cork at all,” Sophia advised. “Twist the fat part of the bottle as you pull down.”
    â€œWell, now . . .” When Avery raised an eyebrow, she grinned.
    â€œI’ve done lots of weddings and events where champagne was served. And I’ve seen my share of near disasters at parties.”
    â€œOnly near disasters?”
    â€œWell . . .” She winced, but when Chad’s eyeswidened she decided she’d better keep the cracked window incident to herself.
    Chad bit his bottom lip and put a towel over the cork. “Here goes nothin’,” he said, but the cork popped without mishap. “Hey, you were right.” Looking pleased with himself he poured the bubbly into two flutes with a flourish. “I’ll bring some fresh bread in a few minutes.”
    â€œThank you,” Avery said, and lifted his glass of champagne. “To White Lace and Promises.”
    Sophia tapped her flute to his. She took a sip and giggled when the bubbles tickled her nose. “Oh, very nice. Thanks so much, Avery. This is a sweet gesture.”
    â€œMy pleasure.” He smiled but his eyes appeared a bit serious. “I’m really glad you’re moving here, Sophia.”
    â€œMe too.” She took another sip of the champagne, and then played with the stem of her glass. “The decision was actually easier than I anticipated.” She was about to say more when his phone dinged again.
    â€œI’m sorry. I’ll put it on silent, like I should have done to begin with.” He picked up the phone,