Chapter 4: Chapter 4

AVERY

“What have you been up to these days?” he asks, changing the subject.

“Let’s see,” I start.

~Between working at the clinic and nursing my broken heart, I haven’t been doing much~, I think, pushing past the wave of betrayal that cuts through me at the memory of David.

David had been my boyfriend for a year before he cheated on me and dumped me. My already low self-esteem plummeted. I’d felt like the breakup was my fault because I wasn’t enough for him.

I’m still embarrassed that I showed up at his apartment after he ended things, crying and begging him to take me back, as if I was the one who had done something wrong.

“I got a degree in biology and started veterinary school,” I say. “But classes are expensive, so it’s taking a while to finish. I did get an associate’s degree as a veterinary technician, but the clinic isn’t hiring one right now, so I’m just working as an administrator.” I shrug. “And I got dumped,” I add. “So yeah.”

“Dumped?” he echoes, as if he can’t believe it.

I nod. Luckily, the waitress reappears at our table with wine, saving me from having to go into detail. She tries to pick up where she left off earlier with Reed, but he isn’t having it.

He reaches across the table to take my hand, a genuine smile on his face. My heart does another somersault as his thumb gently rubs the space between my thumb and forefinger, sending a shiver down my spine. The waitress sighs in defeat, biting her lip as she pours us each a glass of white wine and leaves.

“There, I think she got the hint,” Reed says, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

“What?”

“The waitress. Think she knows I’m not interested now.” He shrugs, pulling his hand away slowly. “My attention is elsewhere.”

My cheeks warm as I reach for my glass of wine and take a long sip. The liquid is ice cold and crisp as it slips down my throat. I pull my glass away, and a drop slides along my lip to the corner of my mouth.

Reed doesn’t hesitate to reach across the table and wipe it away, his thumb brushing against my skin. His gaze is heavy, and I freeze, my heart racing as the heat in his eyes intensifies, setting my insides on fire.

I recognize that look.

He clears his throat and settles back in his chair.

“What happened?” he asks. “With your ex? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“The usual,” I explain, my words sounding gloomy. “You know, girl meets boy. Boy cheats on girl and leaves her for the bimbo.”

~Why do I sound upset about this? I’m over David…mostly. What if Reed thinks I’m still hung up on him? Wait, why do I care what Reed thinks? ~

He clenches his fists, his face hardening. “He cheated on you?”

My heart does a little flip-flop, a smile spreading across my face at his reaction.

“Calm down, caveman,” I say, reaching out and touching his hand, my warm gaze bringing him back from the brink.

He looks down at my hand before covering it with his own and meeting my eyes again. His fingers trace lazy circles on my skin, sending sparks of electricity through me.

“I can’t understand how any man could cheat on you, Avery,” he says. “No other woman holds a candle to you. No one.”

I flush, pulling my hand away to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“You don’t need to butter me up just because you’re Josh’s best friend, Reed,” I say, brushing off his compliment.

He swallows hard, looking almost hurt as he says, “This has nothing to do with Josh. Your ex is a fucking idiot.”

“Well thank you. I appreciate that,” I say, my eyes sparkling with gratitude.

“How long were you two together?”

“A year,” I reply. “It was my fault. I was busy with the clinic and my studies, and he wanted more.”

“Don’t ever apologize for someone treating you like shit, Avery,” he growls, sucking in a sharp breath, his jaw clenched tight in anger. “You didn’t deserve to be cheated on because some asshole couldn’t wait to get his dick wet. Any man who gets to call you his is the luckiest son of a bitch in the world. Don’t you forget that.”

Reed’s eyes never leave mine as the waitress arrives with our food, the fierce look on his face unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It leaves me breathless.

I take a bite of risotto, a moan of pleasure escaping my lips. The cheese and spices blend perfectly with the butter, creating a heavenly flavor that dances on my tongue.

Reed finally looks away, cutting his steak and eating a piece. A drop of juice trickles down his chiseled jaw. My eyes follow its trail, and I unconsciously lick my lips.

I wish I was confident enough to find out if I could taste it in his kiss. I wish I was bold enough to lean over and lick it off him. But I just sit there as we continue talking about other things and finish our meal.

After our plates have been cleared and the bill settled, Reed stands.

“I had a good time tonight, Avery,” he says.

“Me too,” I reply, holding out my hand even though I want to hug him.

He shakes his head and pulls me into an embrace. His arms wrap around me. I melt against his firm chest, just like I knew I would if I ever got the chance.

“I’ll see you around,” he says, his deep voice making his chest rumble against my cheek. “Sooner than you think.”

When I finally pull away from him, my face is burning. “See you around, Reed.”

***

I hoped to find Olive waiting for me when I got home, but I’m met with an empty living room. Disappointed, I make my way to the kitchen for a bottle of water before heading upstairs to my bedroom. I quickly change and am about to get in bed when my phone buzzes with an incoming call.

I look at the screen and see Devon’s name. Olive’s words from earlier echo through my mind.

~What if Devon is calling to ask me out? What should I say?~

“Hello,” I answer as I climb beneath the covers and lean back against the headboard.

“Hey, Avery. I hope I’m not calling too late.”

“Not at all. What’s up, Devon?”

“I need your help with something.”

~Is that hope or anxiety bubbling in my chest?~

Devon is attractive, with dark-ginger hair and a strong jawline. He also has a great sense of humor. We’d probably have a great time together, but images of Reed flash through my mind.

“Sure. What do you need help with?”

“Well…you know Olive better than anyone else…”

I snort. ~Of course, he likes Olive. Every guy does. She’s beautiful and outgoing, and I’m not.~

“What do you want to know?” I ask, trying to sound casual.

“I want to take her to dinner. Where does she like to eat?” he asks, and I can hear the eagerness in his voice. He really wants to impress her.

“She loves the new barbecue place on Main Street.”

“Barbecue Backyard? Awesome. Thanks, Avery! You’re the best!”

~Yeah, that’s me…the best friend.~

“No problem, Devon.”

I’m relieved to hang up, pulling a pillow over my face to muffle my frustrated yell. Just once, I’d like for a guy to call about asking me out. On cue, my phone rings again.

With a sigh, I sit up and see an unknown number on the screen. I answer anyway.

“Hello?”

There’s a pause before Reed’s deep voice fills my ear.

“Avery, it’s Reed. I have a proposition for you.”

Hope blooms in my chest. “I’m listening.”

“Do you remember when you called me a gentleman?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“I want you to show me how to be one.”

“What?” I say, not believing what I’m hearing.

“I’m serious.” He sounds frustrated. “There’s this woman I’ve been interested in for a while, but she doesn’t seem to think about me like that. I want you to help me…not seduce her, that’s not what I mean…”

My fantasy shatters as he stumbles over his words, which is annoyingly amusing and kind of sexy. I listen as he continues, forcing myself to smile even though he can’t see it.

“I want you to help me be a better man for her,” he finally says.

“Like what?” I tease. “You mean your cocky swagger from high school isn’t winning her over?”

“Please, Avery. This girl is…everything I’ve ever wanted,” he says, voice gentle. “It would really mean a lot. I’d owe you. Anything you want.”

I think for a moment. I can’t ask for what I really want from him. What I’ve dreamed about since I was a teenager.

~What do I want from him that I can have?~

Devon’s call about Olive comes to mind. Maybe if I was more confident, he would have been calling to ask me out. If I was more fun and carefree.

“Teach me how to let loose,” I say, falling back onto my bed.

“Let loose?” he asks, confused.

“Yeah, how to be confident and fun and attract guys,” I explain. “Show me what they look for. Teach me how to act. How to make them want me.”

There’s a pause at the other end of the line.

“Your brother would kill me if he found out I was teaching you how to play the field.”

“So don’t tell him. It’ll be our little secret.”

More silence. I can practically hear him thinking it over.

“That’s the deal, Everett. Take it or leave it. How bad do you want this woman?”

His response is deep and sincere, sending shivers down my spine.

“I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want her…and I’ve wanted her for a very long time.” He hesitates. “Shit. What the hell. You’re on, Avery. Help me get the girl of my dreams, and I’ll help you bring some lucky man to his knees.”

A wave of envy slices through me. I’ve fantasized about what it would be like to have Reed to myself, even for just one night, since I was sixteen. But now, he’s got his eye on someone else, his mystery woman. I’m jealous of her and I don’t even know her name.

~I can do this for Reed. I’ll make sure she understands just how fortunate she is to have him.~

“Great,” I say, burying my emotions down deep. “When do we start?”

“Your first lesson begins this weekend,” he announces, and then the line goes dead.

REED

After ending the call with Avery, I toss my phone on my pillow and drop my head into my hands.

~What the hell did I just do?~ I ask myself, rubbing my face. ~Inventing some dream girl just to spend time with Avery? Why didn’t I just tell her the truth? What an asshole move.~

The truth is there’s no one else. There hasn’t been since high school. It’s always been Avery. She’s the only girl I’ve ever wanted.

Champ whines, and I lean down to pick him up, setting him on the bed next to me and absentmindedly scratching between his ears.

~And now I’ve agreed to be her date coach. I’m going to have to watch her flirt with other guys. What if she meets someone else? What am I going to do?~

I groan, smacking myself in the forehead hard enough that the sound makes Champ jump.

“Sorry, buddy,” I mutter.

~Fuck. What about Josh? What if he finds out what I’m up to? Would he actually kill me? She is his little sister.~

“Damn,” I say as Champ pounces on my chest. “Did I just make a big mistake?”