Maybe men weren’t the problem. Maybe she was.
When she arrived at home, she sat in the car for an extra minute, her fingers pressed to her lips. Lips that had been burning up less than thirty minutes ago, but no longer tasted like grape-flavored sugar.
Grey had been open and honest with her tonight about his feelings. Since they first met, he’d treated her with the same direct respect, despite the fact she’d done nothing to really earn it.
And how did she reciprocate? By protecting her own interests and downplaying her feelings. Her hand slammed against the steering wheel several times. I’m a coward.
Chapter Twelve
Grey managed to avoid bumping into Avery for the next several days—making it the shittiest week he could remember since the accident.
A dozen times or more he’d thought to call or stop by the clinic. But he’d made a fool of himself when he’d run off after getting choked up over Juliette, and he didn’t know what to say about that. He’d come off as a lunatic if he confessed to the complicated mishmash of guilt and desire, fear and need. Yet with each passing day, desire and need were winning out.
He exited Richard Donner’s clinic following his first serious therapy session with the older man, cutting through a narrow alley to get to the center of town.
He turned the corner onto Main Street and yanked open the door to Higher Grounds, where he found Trip waiting at the corner table.
“Bought you one of your girly coffees.” Trip pushed a salted caramel mocha toward Grey.
“Thanks.” Grey let the girly comment pass, seeing that Trip had picked up the tab for the seven-dollar beverage. A small luxury for some. Huge for him lately. He stretched out his legs and took a sip. Sweet Jesus, that tasted wicked good. “You said you had some good news?”
“Yeah. I’m hoping it will break this downward spiral you’ve been in lately.”
“That’d be a welcome change.” Grey leaned forward, waving a “come-here” signal with both hands. “Lay it on me.”
“Earlier today I convinced the Western Colorado Council of Boy Scouts to use our outfit for weekend camping and rock climbing leadership-development programs for their Majestic Mountain District troops. That’s over one thousand kids—huge pool of potential customers.” Trip grinned. “Since I’m sure we’ll kick some ass with those boys, I bet we can count on repeat business in upcoming years. I think you’ll be able to afford to hire Jon on a part-time basis to help manage those trips.”
For the first time in days, Grey felt a burden lifting off his shoulders. “That’s the best news I’ve had in weeks, Trip. You’ve really gone above and beyond.”
“I know. I’m awesome.” Trip chugged his black coffee. “You really couldn’t have hired a better employee. Oh, but please, don’t grovel.”
“Okay, I won’t.” Grey snickered. Yet he couldn’t deny how Trip had really been pulling through for him since the accident. “At the risk of increasing your oversized ego, you’ve been a great friend this year.”
“I know how you can repay me. Come out on Wednesday night.”
“What’s Wednesday night?”
“Ladies’ Night at On The Rocks. Sure to attract a nice crowd.” Trip outlined an hourglass shape with his hands then settled back in his chair. “Maybe Avery will show up.”
“I doubt she wants to see me.” Grey sighed at the memory of how he’d bolted from his office a few nights ago. That, and the fact he’d switched therapists.
“Do you want to see her?”
“Doesn’t matter what I want.” Grey absentmindedly stirred his coffee.
“I guess with that shitty attitude, you’re right.” Trip then leaned forward. “I’ve no idea why you’d want to saddle yourself with a girlfriend, but apparently you do. It’s pretty obvious she’s attracted to you. So get your head out of your ass and man-up. Nothing can be worse than this mopey thing you’ve got going on. Better to have it fall apart than to never take a shot.”
“This from the love guru?” Grey quirked his brow and finished his drink.
“Just one of many names women have given me over the years.” Trip’s gaze followed a cute young woman from the front door to the counter. He returned his attention to Grey and flashed a big smile. “And not even the best one.”
Grey laughed aloud. “Your modesty must be the big attraction.”
“Not the biggest, if you catch my drift.” Trip winked at the cute girl as she walked past their table. “So are you in on Wednesday?”
“Sure, I could use a night out.” Grey’s phone vibrated on the table. He looked at the screen. “It’s my lawyer. Mind if I take it?”
“Not at all. I think I’ll see if I can catch up to the filly who just walked out the door.” Trip stood and nodded. “See you at home.”
“Hey, Warren.” Grey stretched his neck from side to side, hoping for more good news. “What’d you find out?”
“Got the evidence we needed.”
“So, it’s fair to hold the OS responsible?” Grey straightened, hope coursing through his body.
“It’s not frivolous. But for its bartender’s reckless disregard, Andy wouldn’t have been as intoxicated when he left the bar, and probably wouldn’t have hit you. That’s the whole point of the Dram shop law.” Warren cleared his throat. “I sent a claim notice and hope to hear from its insurance company fairly quickly.”
“That’s great news.” Perhaps this could help clear the way for him and Avery. “Keep me informed.”
“I’ll get back to you soon.”
Grey set the phone on the table and finished his sweet drink, which had turned a bit cold. As he stood, the text message tone went off.
Meet me at our bench at five thirty.
Grey’s heart pumped a little harder upon reading Avery’s message. God, he missed seeing her.
“In the park?” he wrote, confirming where she meant.
Yes.
He checked his watch. Fifteen minutes. He had no idea what to expect from Avery, or what he would say. Should he apologize, pretend the kiss never happened, kiss her again? Naturally that last option sounded best.
He strode out the door and walked several blocks, arriving at their bench ahead of schedule. Stretching out his bad leg, he rubbed gently behind the knee. Each day the pain receded a bit, but occasionally a tightness or sharp ache flared. White clouds rolled across the sky. A squirrel dashed up a nearby tree, birds chirped, spring flowers were blooming. A damned Disney movie going on all around him, taunting him with the promise of a fairy-tale ending.
Within five minutes, Avery arrived carrying a large manila envelope. Grey couldn’t help but smile. Although she still sported her black-and-white work attire, she was wearing a lime-green Windbreaker, blue-and-banana-yellow sneakers, and a fuchsia-and-green headband.
She took the seat beside him. The breeze ruffled her hair, carrying the minty scent of her shampoo through the air.
“Thanks for coming, Grey.”
“No problem.” His gaze dipped to her mouth. A bolt of energy shot through him as he remembered their kiss. Had she relived it twenty times a day like he had? “What’s up?”
“I understand why you’ve decided to work with Richard. Given all the circumstances, I can’t honestly argue it’s the worst decision.” She crossed her ankles, looking at her feet. Then she turned and looked him in the eye. “Still, I’m concerned about your recovery.” She handed him the packet she’d brought with her. “I’ve written out the rest of the program I’d put together for you, including depictions, timelines, and so forth. Supplement Richard’s therapy with them. And if, at any time, you change your mind or you have any questions or concerns, please call me.”