I arrive at the address that Avery gave me on the phone. At first, I don’t think that I have the right place, but then I see the sign for The Flower Patch and remember that Aunt Dolly said that she lives above it. I make my way up the dirty stairs, wondering how anyone could live up here. I don’t mean to be such a snob. It has been only a few years since I lived in my one-bedroom walk up in West Hollywood, but this place is a real dump. The door is all scratched up, and the railing is half falling down. I’m not even sure if this place is legal to rent out. Just as I get all down on myself for finally caving into Aunt Dolly and letting her set me up with one of the insane women who use her service, I knock on the door and see Avery for the first time.

My heart jumps out of my chest. She has almond-shaped hazel eyes and long light brown hair which curls nicely around her voluptuous breasts. I have seen enough fake and real breasts to know the difference right away and hers are definitely not fake. She’s about five-foot-five and 110 pounds. Not a flamingo, but a nice womanly shape nevertheless.

Usually, I have no problem making small talk, putting on my charm to woo a girl, but something about this one leaves me tongue-tied. I mumble something about how nice she looks, but it doesn’t seem to register. Instead, she comments on my Prius, which I frankly took because I didn’t want to move my other cars to get to the Maserati. She asks about what I do. I can’t very well tell her the truth, so instead I go on and on about my old company. This usually impresses the girls, but she doesn’t seem impressed. She looks bored and annoyed. Like I’m some rich guy who no longer has to work for a living while the rest of the world has to.

After we arrive at the engagement party, things go from bad to worse. Aunt Dolly is there, and Avery looks mad that I didn’t tell her that she was my aunt. I probably should have, but for some reason, for the first time in my life, I’m tongue-tied. At a loss for what to say. I’m like one of those losers who stumble and mumble and say things that don’t make any sense. Over explain. Under explain. Let long moments of silence pass me by without a word. What. The. Fuck?

“So, Dolly didn’t tell you that she was my aunt?” I ask when Kora and Liam finally leave us alone. Focus, Logan. Turn on the charm. You know how to do this. You’re a natural.

“No,” she shakes her head. Her hair falls off her shoulder, exposing her cleavage a little more. She’s no model, but she definitely has the goods. And in that short, tight little red dress, they look like chocolates that I’m dying to unwrap.

“Sorry about that. I thought you knew.”

She shrugs. She’s about to look away somewhere in the distance, but I tilt my head toward her and look straight into her hazel eyes. Now, I have her.

“You know, I’m not sure if I told you this earlier, but you look beautiful tonight. Stunning, actually.”

A small smiles begins at the corner of her lips. I lick my lips. Her eyes light up. I feel an energy between us. Finally, I’m on the right track.

“Thank,” she begins, but then clears her throat. “Thank you.”

I stare into her eyes, trying to peer into her soul. I do this with all the girls, but with Avery, I’m actually doing it earnestly.

“You know, you don’t look so bad yourself,” she says looking me up and down.

I like the feel of her approving gaze all over my body. I know I look good, but it’s always nice to hear it from the person you want to pin against the wall and do bad things to.

The tone of the evening becomes more serious for a moment, and I know that it’s that time.

“Excuse me for a minute,” I bring her hand to my lips and give her a little peck. “But I have to make a toast.”

As I walk away, I feel the burn of her gaze on me. She’s watching me. Falling for me. I’m back!

With newfound confidence, I grab a glass of champagne and clink the glass. When the roar of the crowd quiets down, I start.

“As many of you know, I’m Logan, Liam’s charming older brother. Liam has been my brother since my mom brought him home from the hospital, put him on my lap and said here he is. Your brother. To which I said, ‘That’s not a brother. That’s a baby!’”

Everyone laughs. I look at Avery, who also seems pleased. Her smile gives me butterflies. I take a deep breath and continue.

“Liam and I went through the usual rough patches – fighting over girls, fighting over cars, fighting in general. We didn’t have very much in common. Still don’t actually. And then came Kora. Liam met Kora in college freshman year at Oberlin. I first met her when she came out to visit him for spring break. Speaking as someone who knows how to do Spring Break right, I knew that they were meant for each other when they spent the whole week in each other’s arms on the couch at our parents’ house. They were like two peas in a pod.

“I was a cynic back then – Who are we kidding, I’m kind of a cynic now – but back then, I was even more of a cynic. As much as I loved Kora, and as much as I thought Liam loved Kora, I thought that it would never last. Not all the way through college. Not through law school. And definitely not through all those early years of practicing law.

“But as it turned out, I was wrong. And Liam was right. Not the first time! Kora was just the perfect girl for Liam. Kind, attentive, persistent and persuasive. Honestly, man, I have no idea how you got away with not marrying her for so many years!

“What I’m trying to say, rather inarticulately, is that I may not know much, but I do know one thing. Liam loves Kora and Kora loves Liam. I guess that’s two things. They’re a perfect couple and I know that they will make each other very happy for many years to come.

“To Liam and Kora, and the wonderful life they have ahead of them together!”

Everyone claps and drinks. With tears in her eyes, Kora gives me a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. I look across the deck at Avery. She looks impressed.