Avery wiped away the tear streaming down her cheek. Now that she’d unleashed her repressed anger, her heart ached to see her brother shaken and ashamed. She glanced at Matt, bewildered by the mix of gratitude and irritation his presence stirred.
Before either man uttered another word, she hopped off the stool and ducked into her room.
Once safely inside, she leaned against the door, pressing her cheek and palm against the cool wood. Her body trembled slightly while she drew deep breaths to slow her heart rate. Andy and Matt’s rising voices penetrated the walls, prompting her to crack the door open to eavesdrop. Maybe it was wrong, but curiosity grabbed hold of her.
“What an asshole move, Matt. I can’t believe you threw me under the bus just to score points with Avery.”
“I told you to tell her over the weekend. It’s Wednesday. How long were you going to let your sister worry? Don’t be mad at me because you’ve been too much of a chickenshit to do what’s right.”
“Back off, man. You can’t judge me after the way you dumped her and took off. Now, suddenly, you’re back using every trick to win her forgiveness?” From where Avery stood, it sounded like Andy banged his fist against something hard. “Don’t destroy my relationship with my sister just to fix your own.”
“I know I fucked up last year. It’s why I can’t sit back and watch her suffer just so you can put off coming clean.” A brief silence ensued. “Believe it or not, I’ll always love Avery, and I’ve always been your friend, too. I know you, Andy. In the long run you’ll feel better once you do the right thing, even if it seems impossible right now.”
Avery’s heart hammered against her ribs as she quietly closed the door.
If Matt was right, this information might help her family and Grey. She didn’t believe in frivolous lawsuits, but it sounded like Jonah’s recklessness broke the law. Heck, he intended to get that poor woman fall-down drunk in order to get her into bed, and to hell with the danger he created for others.
She hugged herself, wondering whether or not Mark and Cindy had been nice to Andy simply to make it more difficult for him to speak up. She hoped not. Then again, anything was possible when livelihoods were at stake.
Avery mulled over her options and decided she’d grill Andy this evening, in private. Feeling more settled, she pushed off the door and finished getting dressed for work.
By the time Grey finished therapy two days later, Avery’s stomach acids had practically stripped her stomach of its lining. Previously, he’d asked that they not discuss his legal issues. With the exception of the one time she’d asked him about Andy’s insurance settlement, they’d worked together without discussing the lawsuit. Today, however, she’d break that streak.
She had to risk it. Had to persuade him to investigate the claim against the OS. Long shot or not, the outcome could be a win-win for both of them. Yet the fact that she’d never previously taken an “ends justify the means” approach pinched her conscience.
He sauntered toward her wearing his impish grin, towel wrapped around his neck, looking relaxed and happy. His trusting manner intensified the hideous brew churning in her stomach. She could barely look him in the eye.
After swiping a handful of Jolly Ranchers from reception, he threw one into his mouth and pocketed the rest.
“Have time for a quick lunch, or do you survive on Jolly Ranchers alone?” She shook her head at his sugar addiction.
“Lunch?” He flashed a crooked smile then snapped her thigh with his towel. “Think we can manage a friendly lunch without breaking all the rules?”
She slapped his shoulder, wishing his boyishness weren’t so attractive. He stood so close she could smell the potently sensual combination of sweat and musk-scented soap. She stepped back, feeling off-balance.
Sexual tension gripped her body. The thin sheen of perspiration highlighting his rippling muscles did nothing to weaken the sensations. With each small movement, his deltoids and traps flexed, sending her body temperature through the roof.
Honestly, she’d always had more control over her hormones. Maybe she shouldn’t be his therapist any more. Richard Donner had returned last week, so Grey could switch now. But she would miss him. And, despite this schoolgirl nonsense in her head, she knew she hadn’t compromised his physical therapy. She’d given Grey the best, most aggressive therapy possible.
“A simple yes or no, please,” she said, and forced a smile. While she couldn’t deny wanting to spend time with him outside the clinic, today she had an ulterior motive.
The lawsuit. Hopefully he’d realize the benefit to both of them and be grateful she’d decided to ignore his request.
“Where to?” he asked, and once more she was struck by the sudden softness those gray eyes could display.
“Coyote Deli? We can take sandwiches to the park.”
“Okay. Sounds great.” He held the door open for her and then followed her to the deli wearing a heart-melting grin. In that moment, she suppressed a sudden urge to kiss him. The way he easily broke through her defenses surprised her—discomfited her, too.
Twenty minutes later they were sharing the same park bench where they’d held hands weeks ago, finishing their subs and learning more about each other. Unlike a lot of guys she knew who liked to boast and tell stories, Grey proved to be an attentive listener.
Avery’d just finished telling a story about the time Emma had dragged her to the eldercare center where she volunteered on Sundays. While visiting residents, they’d found Mrs. Cooper crying on her deceased husband’s birthday. Intense emotional upheaval always made Avery uncomfortable, but Emma had gently handled Mrs. Cooper’s grief by getting a cupcake from the café, singing “Happy Birthday,” and saying a group prayer in her husband’s honor. By the time they’d left her room, Mrs. Cooper was smiling.
“Emma sounds like a real sweet girl. A true friend, too.” Grey smiled.
“She’s both, unlike me.” Avery grimaced.
“Why do you say that?” Grey’s expression grew more serious.
“Sweet isn’t a word I’d use to describe myself. I’m too blunt, too . . . driven, maybe?” Avery shrugged. “I don’t know; I’m just not soft and approachable like Emma.”
“I think you’re probably a very good friend. Blunt is just a harsh word for honest, and honesty takes courage. Honesty and courage are important in any relationship, friendly or otherwise.” He crumpled up the tissue sandwich wrapping and stuffed it into the paper bag. “And you don’t have to be soft to be sweet. It was sweet when you drove me home in the rain, and when you bought me those skis. It was sweet when you asked me to join you for lunch despite the whole ‘ethics’ situation.”
Avery’s guilty conscience must’ve shown all over her face, because Grey’s expression transformed from hopeful to concerned.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She knotted her fingers.
“Avery.” He reached over to untie her fingers, his typically friendly expression turning anxious. The instant he touched her hands, her body reacted with a flash of heat. “You look like you’re about to give me bad news. Is this about my knee? Did you ask me to lunch to soften the blow?”
Avery inhaled slowly. “No bad news. In fact, I think it’s good news. But in the spirit of courageous honesty, I need to discuss something you’ve declared off-limits.”