Chapter 7: Chapter 7

AVERY

When I wake up the next morning, Olive is already gone. But she’s left me a note on the fridge.

~To my badass bestie, kick ass (or clean them?) at the clinic today! Remember, you’re amazing and your soul is unique. Own the day!~

I read it a few times, chuckling to myself on the third pass. I open the freezer door and fill a glass with ice before heading over to the Keurig for my daily iced-coffee fix. I take a fortifying sip, enough to tide me over as I get ready for work.

I slip on a long, green boho dress that skims my ankles and pull my long, blonde hair up in a ponytail, draping a few strands down so they frame my face. A light layer of pearl-shimmer eyeshadow goes over my eyelids, and I slide into my black boots before shrugging on a black wool coat that’s nearly the length of the dress.

Just as I’m closing the apartment door, my cell phone rings.

“Avery speaking,” I answer.

“Avery, it’s Matt. I’m running late this morning. I hate to ask, but could you grab me a coffee on your way in?”

“Sure thing, Dr. Collins. What would you like?”

“A triple tall americano, please.”

“Okay, I’ll be there soon.”

“Thanks, Avery. You’re the best.”

I had planned to walk to work, enjoying the season’s breezy weather, but a coffee run doesn’t leave me much time, so I hail a taxi. When it stops at the coffee shop, my phone rings again, distracting me as I answer and climb out. The driver shouts for his payment through the window.

“I’m so sorry,” I apologize sincerely, bending down to meet his scowl with a smile. “Here, a little extra for the trouble.”

He snatches the money from my hand and merges back into the morning traffic without a word.

“What was that about?” Olive asks when I return.

“You got me in trouble,” I reply. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you at lunch. Love you.”

I hang up and put my phone back in my coat, tightening the belt at my waist before turning around and walking right into Reed’s solid chest.

~You’ve got to be kidding me. Very funny, universe.~

His cheeks are lightly flushed from the chilly breeze. It’s awkward seeing him after what happened at his gym yesterday.

“I’m sorry,” I mutter. “I didn’t see you there, Reed.”

“Yeah, I can see that.” He smiles. “Having a bad morning?”

I search his face for any sign of irritation or any lingering feelings about our kiss, but he gives nothing away. Just a friendly smile.

~Maybe it was just a mistake. He just got caught up in the moment. We can still be friends.~

My shoulders relax. “No, not bad…just…busy.”

He steps in front of me to open the door as I move forward. “Here, let me.”

“How very gentlemanly of you,” I tease and walk through. “Are you sure that you even need me?”

His golden eyes meet mine.

“I need you.”

The way he says it has my knees feeling weak, but I shake it off as he holds the door open for an older couple behind us before rejoining me.

“Getting your morning caffeine fix?” He raises an eyebrow.

I shake my head. “Picking up for my boss.”

“Is that an everyday thing?”

“No. He’s just a little late today and asked,” I say as I step up to the counter to place my order. “I’ll have a triple tall americano, please.”

I reach for my purse, but Reed stops me.

“I’ll get it.”

“No, I’ve got it. It’s five bucks,” I laugh.

“Don’t you even think about it, Avery. I’ll get it,” he warns, his tone dominant as he reaches into his jacket pocket for his wallet.

My thoughts spiral as he locks eyes with me and pays for the coffee.

~I wonder what it’d be like to be ordered around by him. A shirtless him. A demanding him. Telling me to touch him. Making me kiss him. Forcing me to taste him.~

“Earth to Avery.”

“What?” I blink a few times to refocus.

He chuckles and hands me a warm to-go cup. “Come on, you goofball.”

He grabs his own coffee and leads me out the door. The autumn air cools my flushed cheeks as I fall into step beside him.

He takes a sip. “So, look…I want to apologize for getting upset after what happened yesterday,” he says. “After I kissed you.”

“It’s okay, Reed. Really.”

“No, it’s not. I was a jerk to you, Avery, and I’m sorry for that.” He pauses, his eyes sincere as they meet mine. “Your brother was…surprised that we were hanging out and… Well, you know Josh.”

“It won’t happen again,” I say, forcing a smile.

“Avery,” he says with a sly grin. “I’m teaching you how to play the game. It’s definitely going to happen again.”

My mouth falls open and I snap it shut quickly.

~He’s planning on kissing me again?! What should I say? What does he expect me to say?~

His chuckle is deep and low. “In fact, I think I’d like to see you in action this weekend.”

“What?” I ask.

“I got to see what we’re working with, so I’m taking you to a bar and you’re going to pick someone up.” He smirks and leans closer. “It can even be me, if that makes you more comfortable.”

“I don’t ~pick guys up~, Reed. That’s why I asked you to help me,” I groan, feeling embarrassed.

“I just want to see your moves, Little Avery.”

“What moves? I have no moves!” I protest, throwing my free hand up in exasperation.

His face lights up with realization.

“You’ve never asked a guy out, have you?”

“No,” I huff. “Happy now?”

“What?” His mouth falls open in surprise. “How did you meet your ex-boyfriend?”

“We were set up,” I say, staring at my boots. “I get nervous talking to guys, and I never think they could be interested in me.”

“But you’re so…”

“I’m so what, Reed?” I interrupt, bracing myself for another insult.

“Hot,” he groans. “You’re so hot.”

~Hot? Reed Everett thinks I’m hot? Did the earth just move?~

I can’t help but giggle. “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

The look in his eyes is intense, pinning me to the sidewalk. I shiver as his hand comes up to touch my cheek.

Somehow, I manage to speak past the lump in my throat. “Do me a favor and tell that to the guys who only have eyes for Olive.”

His playboy smirk is back. “I’d be glad to. I’ll tell them all how fucking blind they are to have not noticed the smoke show that is Avery fucking Morris.”

REED

Avery and I arrive at the clinic, and she bids me a quick farewell before disappearing inside. I stare after her as the door closes before turning and heading off toward my first appointment.

I almost kissed her before I left. It was hard to resist with how gorgeous she looked, but I managed to keep myself in check. Fuck, did I want to, though.

I breeze through the doors of the gym, still thinking about her as I prepare for my first client.

I’m training a couple of kids this morning. Two of them are just as stubborn and as hardheaded as I was growing up, and they don’t like to listen. It’s a pity because they both could have such high potential in the ring.

While I wait for the first kid to arrive, my thoughts drift back to Avery and our deal. It’s risky, taking her out.

~What if she picks someone up? What if they hit it off and leave together? Fuck,~ ~what am I getting myself into?~

A frustrated groan slips past my lips. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about our kiss yesterday, so I know watching her get hit on by other guys is going to be a disaster.

~Maybe she’ll just try out her moves on me like I suggested~, I think as my first trainee comes in. ~She’s not comfortable talking to strange guys, so it might happen. God, I fucking hope so.~