We finished up for the day and I watched Avery leave. She seemed to be in good spirits and flashed me a smile before making her way to the parking lot with some of the other workers to go home or wherever she planned to go tonight.
I spent some time in my office getting some paperwork squared away and ran a hand through my hair as I felt the busy day hitting me. The hard work and physical labor that was involved in my job made me happy. I always have been hands on kind of guy.
I just wanted the night to come when I could spend the evening with Avery and get my hands on her.
I ordered some takeout on the way home, settling in for a hockey game as I ate Thai food and sipped a cold beer. I thought about my past marriage and ultimate divorce and what got us there.
She cheated.
That ended badly and, by all accounts, I shouldn’t want to be a part of this situation. It sounded strange on paper, but a part of me thought this was just what I might need.
I knew I didn’t want to get too involved in another relationship too soon and hadn’t dated since the separation. There were a few casual nights with women I knew in the area, but I didn’t feel the same way for them as I did Avery.
Avery felt worth this, and any moment I got with her was something I’d appreciate. She just drew me in, and I enjoyed everything about Avery.
Sex with her would be incredible. The attraction was powerful, and I could feel it in our kisses. I had a feeling it might be explosive when we were together. I hadn’t experienced that in a while and looked forward to something happening on our date.
I knew I wanted to get to know her better and spend more time with her. After hearing about the ex from both her and her brother, I vowed that nobody else would hurt her when I was around. I could be protective of the people I cared about once I established a connection with them.
I felt that way about Jefferson and had since we met at college. He was like a brother to me, yet here I was planning to sleep with his little sister, whom he felt protective of.
I told myself that we were all adults and could do what we wanted if we were careful, and that Jefferson had no say in Avery’s life. That being said, he also couldn’t find out about this because it would kill him. Just learning about me and Avery would make him snap, but to hear about Charlie and Jack with her might kill him. He had enough on his plate to worry about with the baby coming soon and a lodge to run.
Avery and I both worked in the village to set up for Christmas on Main Street, helping Charlie with his booth. He and Jefferson decided that rather than have something at the actual lodge, this would be better advertising.
The street was lit up with lights and vendors set up all the way down the three blocks that made up Main Street.
It still had a small-town feel to it but seemed to do well as a tourist town with the lodge and a few other places to stay. The stores were quaint, and I knew Avery had been shopping for her family a few times when she took breaks.
I observed Avery seemed happy here as she worked and chatted with old friends. She always had a smile on her beautiful face, and it made me wonder if she ever smiled that much in New York. I knew she loved her job and that would make her happy, but why did she have to go back to the city to achieve that goal?
She already helped at the restaurant in the lodge, suggesting things for their menu. She’d even made an apple cinnamon coffee cake for the breakfast menu that customers loved, so maybe she could make something for herself here where she’s close to everybody she loves.
I just wanted to see Avery happy and to keep her safe while she was around me. I needed to be close to her and get to know her better.
There had to be a way to do this without making it obvious to Jefferson that I had a keen interest in his sister.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
AVERY
I added some water to my cactus in the morning, noting the red flowers that were taking bloom. As always, that meant December was here and the small town of Lake Placid would come to life.
There were always events this time of year because of the holidays and the weather, and I’d always enjoyed them as a kid. Even after living in the city, I tried to make it back if work allowed me to, but that hadn’t happened a lot over the last several years, apart from a quick visit with my family.
It felt good to be more involved this year.
I even helped Mom with her tree today as we blared Christmas music through the house. I hadn’t done that in a while and it felt good.
Now, I dressed in thick leggings and a sweatshirt and ready to leave for Luna’s house soon. I looked forward to catching up with my friend tonight as we drank wine and finished the decorating at her new house.
I smiled one last time at the cactus and walked to my full-length mirror to braid my hair into a loose plait that fell over my shoulder. I knew it would be a casual night, just like the ones we used to enjoy in high school with wine I could legally purchase and enjoy.
Grabbing the two bottles and my backpack, I walked downstairs to where my mom was watching a movie as she knitted a pink blanket. “Is that for the baby?” I teased her as I took in the scene, complete with the Christmas tree.
“Of course. My granddaughter will have a lot of these as she grows up. You still have one from your grandma on your bed upstairs.” Mom teased me with a serene smile as she looked back at me. “Off to see Luna?”
“Yep. I can’t wait. I’m staying there tonight and working at the lodge tomorrow. I might be in late.” I didn’t mention Ben since nobody in my family needed to know anything about him or the others. My mom respected I was an adult now and allowed me my freedom, which I appreciated.