what was bothering him.
âSophia!â He pushed the cell phone away and reached across the table to squeeze her hand. âCongratulations! Are you excited?â
âYes!â Sophia nodded. âAnd of course Mom, Grace, and Garret are over the moon that Iâm moving here for good. Grace is already starting to come up with a marketing plan. But itâs all happened so fast that my head is still spinning.â She made circling motions around her ears. âIâm usually much slower to make this kind of big decision.â
âTheyâre not the only ones happy that youâre moving here for good.â Avery gave her hand a tighter squeeze. âLetâs order a bottle of champagne.â
âOh, you donât have to do that. . . .â 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. âReally.â
âToo late. I already did. Besides, this is big news! We need to celebrate.â His bright smile made Sophia long to lean across the table and get the kiss sheâd 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.
âIs everything okay?â Sophia tilted her head as she shrugged out of her coat.
âYeah, itâs just my sisterâs wedding plans again. To be honest, sheâs been driving me crazy.â
âItâs okay if you need to answer the text or give her a call.â Sophia smiled. âIâm quite familiar with bridal jitters.â
âNot this kind,â 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. âThought I should warn you. Iâve only done this once at home and it didnât end well,â he admitted as he untwisted the wire cage. âI have trouble enough with wine bottles.â
âShould we duck for cover?â Avery asked.
âMaybe . . .â Chad looked at the bottle with trepidation.
âHold it at a forty-five-degree angle and donât twist the cork at all,â Sophia advised. âTwist the fat part of the bottle as you pull down.â
âWell, now . . .â When Avery raised an eyebrow, she grinned.
âIâve done lots of weddings and events where champagne was served. And Iâve seen my share of near disasters at parties.â
âOnly near disasters?â
âWell . . .â She winced, but when Chadâs eyeswidened she decided sheâd better keep the cracked window incident to herself.
Chad bit his bottom lip and put a towel over the cork. âHere goes nothinâ,â he said, but the cork popped without mishap. âHey, you were right.â Looking pleased with himself he poured the bubbly into two flutes with a flourish. âIâll bring some fresh bread in a few minutes.â
âThank you,â Avery said, and lifted his glass of champagne. âTo White Lace and Promises.â
Sophia tapped her flute to his. She took a sip and giggled when the bubbles tickled her nose. âOh, very nice. Thanks so much, Avery. This is a sweet gesture.â
âMy pleasure.â He smiled but his eyes appeared a bit serious. âIâm really glad youâre moving here, Sophia.â
âMe too.â She took another sip of the champagne, and then played with the stem of her glass. âThe decision was actually easier than I anticipated.â She was about to say more when his phone dinged again.
âIâm sorry. Iâll put it on silent, like I should have done to begin with.â He picked up the phone,