Read Online Unraveling of Avery Snow, The by Christy Sloat - Free Book Online Page A

was now living close to me, but I hardly saw her. She was constantly taking trips and busy being a social butterfly. She told me about an upcoming trip to Australia that she was about to embark on. I was secretly jealous about it. I would love to lie on the beach there and sip a cocktail. When I hung up with them I settled in my bed and tried not to think of that little girl. It was hard to do since her face was etched in my mind.

 
     
    Chapter Nine
    Rendezvous
     
    Kerri’s plans for the wedding were keeping her head in the clouds lately at work. I had only spoken to her a handful of times, mostly about how much more compliant her mom was being towards her. She insisted it was my comment that did the trick. I never wanted to step out of my bounds and make anyone mad, especially Kerri, but she thanked me numerous times for sticking up for her that day. Luckily I could see how planning a wedding could make you crazy. All of the things involved seemed too much for me to handle. As the maid of honor I had my own responsibilities, too; like planning her bachelorette party. I couldn’t wait!
    I had talked to several of her friends and I had a pretty good idea of what to do and where to go. Vegas baby!
    She took me there on my birthday a few years before and it was a blast. Besides , isn’t that where you’re supposed to go when you’re getting married and want to celebrate your last days of singledom?
    I walked into her office that day to talk to her about it. Just to see what she thought , but I knew she would love the idea. Once I entered, I noticed she didn’t look in the mood to talk. She had her head down on her desk while taking deep breaths.
    “U h, need some help?” I asked, closing the door behind me. If anyone else saw her they would for sure give her hell.
    “Avery, I am so panicked about this wedding. I swear I think we should just run off and elope.” She kept her head down and I sat in the chair opposite her.
    “What can I do?”
    She lifted her head slightly and smiled. “You’re such a good friend and it’s nice of you to offer, but I can’t ask you to do anymore.”
    She had asked Ianni to help with the flowers, her friend Astrid was doing the table settings, and I was planning the bachelorette party and shower. I also took on the duty of making sure everyone knew their jobs and did them as instructed. Astrid and I hadn’t met yet. She lived in Washington, so we only spoke on the phone. She was very pleasant and I looked forward to meeting her. I had definitely come out of my shell in the last few months.
    “Kerri,” I began, “You’re my best friend. I am here to help you.” She smiled at me and took my hand from across her desk.
    “I know, but honestly I don’t know what is wrong with me.” I had a feeling it was pre-wedding jitters. The wedding was only a few months away, and she was understandably nervous.
    “But if I can think of anything , I will call you,” she said as she squeezed my hand. “Love you girl.”
    “Love you, too.” I left her office and finished my rounds.
    As I clocked out I felt the exhaustion overwhelm me. I needed my bed in a bad way. I checked my phone for missed calls, and sure enough Dallas had called. I called him right away so that he wouldn’t get worried. He knew I was getting off work, so he would be expecting a call from me. The phone rang once before he answered, “Hello,” he said exasperated.
    “Hi , it’s me.” There was a pause then he finally spoke.
    “Oh , hi. I had a bad dream. You woke me up, thank God,” he said, sounding out of breath and tired.
    “A bad dream ? About what?” I was again forced to think of my vision of Annabelle having a nightmare. How I soothed my daughter’s fears. “I’ll be right over.” He mumbled an okay and I drove towards his house.
    When I pulled up I notice d Landon’s new car in the driveway. I couldn’t help but love it. “Boys and their toys,” I giggled to myself. When I passed the car I