by E. H. Lyon
She inserts a winking emoji.
Me: Keep that too. Save me if I ever get locked out of my house?
Avery: Sounds reasonable. But risky. You might return to some plants and a goldfish in your living room.
Me: It’s a risk I’m willing to take.
“Earth to Jake. Yoo-hoo.” Lucas is waving a hand in my face, bringing me back to reality.
“Sorry. I got sidetracked.”
“No shit. But I get it. So, what’s your move?” Lucas asks, adjusting his shoulders.
I contemplate. “Not sure yet, but she will certainly get a move from me. Maybe let her relax a little after yesterday. It was a lot. I’ll try and see her later this week if she wants it.”
“You’re a good guy. If I were in your position, I don’t think I would have your restraint,” Lucas admits.
“Trust me, I wasn’t always a good guy.” Definitely not. When Avery came into the bar that night in Chicago, I was thinking dirty things. And when she came home with me, I demanded her to do those dirty things, and she obliged.
“That’s a true story.” Lucas grins, as we got up to some trouble when we were in graduate school together.
“So enough about me. What’s up with you?” I ask, trying to divert his attention and grabbing a piece of sushi in the process.
“Theo is visiting next weekend since his mother is off to marry husband number two.” Lucas has a slight disdain in his voice as it was a messy divorce with his first wife, and he now sees his son on weekends, but after a moment, a smile forms. “Abby is busy with volunteering at the animal shelter. So please adopt a puppy,” His glowing look could be because it’s puppies, but my guess is it’s for his girlfriend who is a veterinarian.
“For sure, I’ll donate to the puppies, but I’m not taking one home,” I remind him.
“Actually, Avery donates a lot of baked dog treats to the shelter,” Lucas adds.
“Well, then on second thought, I guess will be taking an interest in puppies.” I grin as I take a sip of my iced tea.
After lunch, I head back to my office to check in with my secretary and research some cases. By five, I am ready to leave, which is not like me. I struggle not to text Avery. But I am curious if she will take the next step before I get the chance to lead.
Getting home at 8pm is not unusual for me. Not when I am preparing for deposition. After parking my car in the garage, I squint my eyes when I see light coming out from under the door to the kitchen. That’s odd. But I mastered Krav Maga and feel confident that I will survive.
As soon as I open the door and see my dining table, my eyes dart to the goldfish in a bowl that is awaiting me. Avery should not have my key. But she really should.
Heading to the table, I look at the fish swimming feverishly in the bowl, with a plant and blue castle. Laughing softly to myself, I begin to undo the sleeves on my shirt, and as I turn, I stop dead in my tracks.
“Freddy the fish is allergic to dogs, so I guess you don’t need to worry about getting roped into adopting a puppy.” Avery has a sly look on her face as she sits on the edge of the sink, wearing white sneakers, a jean jacket, and a long green blouse dress that goes down to just above her knees, just. Her hair is in a messy knot on the top of her head. Her look is priceless.
It seems she has been waiting for me. And that thought drips in hope that she has been waiting for me to do everything… to her.
Slowly I glide towards her as I grin, admiring her.
“You would only know about my fear of getting roped into adopting a puppy if you were talking with someone. So, have you been talking about me?” I enquire with a grin.
She realizes she is a little bit caught and her tongue circles inside her mouth as she smiles to herself. I enjoy seeing her squirm.
“Treat Freddy the fish well.” She hops off the edge of the sink as if she is going to leave. I step in the way between the sink and the kitchen island. Avery will not be able to escape.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“No. I figured you still worked long days. I warned you that your key isn’t safe with me.” She looks directly at me and stands tall.
“Quite the opposite. I like this. Even if it means I now have to try and keep a freaking fish alive,” I admit.
Realizing that I did not get to finish unbuttoning my cufflinks, I return to that task. But Avery, just like those years ago, takes over. Her hands undo them for me and her then fingers go to the buttons at my collar and loosens those too, her touch sending heat through my veins and a tinge of excitement to my core. By the look on her face, she enjoys this too because her fingers linger a little longer than needed at my collarbone. When she finishes, she takes a step back with a look of fulfilment.
My eyes question her, and I ask, “So, are you staying or going?”
She licks her lips and looks away. “Truthfully, I didn’t think past delivering a goldfish and giving you his container of fish food.”
Not only is she adorable when she says this, but she means it too.
Stepping closer to her, I place my hands on her hips then give her a lingering kiss on her cheek. I want to taste her mouth, but I’m not sure where we are picking up from the other night.
We’re finding our way back to each other, but maybe it’s a process.
“I’m sorry for what happened on the kitchen counter yesterday. Actually, not sorry at all. But maybe the timing wasn’t right.”
A hum escapes her. “I am equally guilty. Pretty positive I guided your hands to where they should go.” She’s trying to get a rise out of me.
I pull her waist flush to me. “Positive I don’t need a guide,” I protest.
“Hmm, sounds like a challenge.”
“Stay. We can watch a movie or something?” I give her my best grin of innocence. She starts laughing and it fills the room and breaks down my defenses.
“An actual movie or our movie.” Avery walks past me, throws her coat off, and goes to flop on the sofa.
“All options are on the table, but let me go upstairs and change out of my suit first, unless you want to help with that,” I call out as I head towards the stairs.
Turning around briefly, I see she is giving me a wry smile.
Ten minutes later, I come downstairs, changed out of my suit into my sweats and she has mugs of tea on the coffee table. She is battling with the remote.
“Couldn’t help noticing you made the bed. Your bed-making skills have improved,” I tell her as I sit on the couch.
“Do not even start. It is a serious topic. By the way, I noticed the amazing artwork on your fridge.” She indicates with the remote, pointing behind her.
“Oh yeah. That is from my niece. My sister Becca is in the middle of a divorce and it’s an ugly one, so I watch my niece, Stella, every now and then.”
Her face warms. “That’s really sweet. I bet you nail your uncle duties. I remember you always picked out gifts to send to her when she was just born, every time we went someplace cool in the city,” she recalls.
“I can be a sweet guy.”
“I know. You try and act all hard sometimes, but you can be very nurturing.” She may be trying to goad me.
I scratch my cheek, “Nurturing?” I ask, puzzled.
“Yeah. Nurturing, caring. All those warm and fuzzy adjectives that damage your image as a merciless lawyer.” Her half-smirk and narrowed eyes tell me she is being honest, yet is also trying to rile me.
She quickly moves us along. “So, we know we’re not watching Suits as we know your views on that, even though everyone in this town apparently deems you the local Harvey Specter.” She drags it out with her lips quirked.
Well, yes, I have strong views on watching a fictional courtroom after being in a real one.
“What about a home makeover show or cooking show? You seem like someone who likes Chip and Joanna?” She taps her finger on her lips as she studies me.
“Is that that couple from Texas that house flips? Yeah, that’s a good show
,” I admit, coming to sit next to her.
“Great. We could settle that one out of court then.” She winks and places her legs over my knees as she puts the TV on.
Just like that, I remember how much fun I had with her. Every conversation was easy, every sentence witty, our bodies always hanging off each other.
But I can’t look at the television. I can only look at her.
A sexy and sultry look appears on her face. “Thank you for the shirt, I was planning on using it again tonight.”
So, this is the path we are going down. I was going to give it to the end of the week—considering the conversation we had yesterday—but I’m happy to see she is at ease again.
“That’s all you’d be wearing?” I wonder.
“Who said I would use it for wearing?”
Fuck, she knows she is riling me up. She does it better than anyone else I’ve been with.
“I’m trying to be a gentleman,” I declare as I move closer to her.
“Fair enough. So, what does Jake the gentleman do?” She smirks as her fingers dance on my hand.
I take her hand in mine. “Ask if you want to meet for a coffee in a public place? Go for a drink? Go for a run? Anything but ask what my shirt would be witnessing tonight.”
Her eyes meet mine. I want to lean into her to kiss her and I am thinking how incredibly soft and full her lips are and how they dance with mine.
Something tells me she’s thinking the same thing as she moves closer to me on the sofa, her eyes staring at my mouth, her teeth biting her bottom lip in anticipation.
“You didn’t want to stop yesterday, did you?” I know the answer, but I want to hear it.
“No. I didn’t. But it was the right thing to do. You were the good guy.”
“And if I’m the bad guy tonight?” I ask as I move in slowly.
“Definitely take me hard like you mentioned. You are very good at that.”
Her feet reach for my waist and her calves circle around my waist as she pulls me to her with her legs.
My head moves towards her. “Can the bad guy kiss you tonight?”
She pretends to consider with her finger coming to her chin. “A chaste kiss would be okay, I think.” Her grin is too sweet for my restraint to handle, the undertone to encourage me too strong.
Our eyes are agreeing.
And we move.
But as we are about to hit a homerun, her phone goes off. My phone goes off. And the mood is broken. The world has other plans for us.
Avery literally huffs in agony as she grabs her phone from her pocket. I grab my phone from the coffee table. I look at her as I listen to my phone, my mind is in a tug-o-war if I should behave or try to take us back on route.
“No, it’s okay, man.” It’s not, but Leo has been keeping me busy lately with business and I can’t complain. “Yeah, send the contract over and you will have an answer from me tomorrow by 9am… good luck with the screaming toddler I hear in the background. Night, man.” I hang up and look at Avery who also just hung up.
“Sorry, that was Abby. I missed her text, so she called. Her dog is sick, and Lucas is heading out of town. She wants me to help her with her dog, which is crazy because she is a vet. But the dog is dead weight, and she needs help getting him in the car.” The disappointment in her voice is clear.
I look at her with amusement. “If you wanted to make an excuse to leave, you must have a better one you can come up with, because this story has a lot of holes.”
She laughs at me and shows me her phone.
“I have evidence, Mr. Attorney. Exhibit A,” she teases as she shows me the photo of a Labrador wrapped in a blanket, and to be honest, he does look like he may be losing a lung.
I hold my hands up. “Okay, seems legit.”
I follow her to the kitchen where she grabs her coat and bag. She now seems like she’s in a rush on her way to the front door. But she stops quickly and kisses me on the cheek, lingering just a little longer, her hand on my cheek and her thumb rubbing my lips. Then she drags her hand to grab my wrist and brings her lips to my inner wrist for a feathery kiss that makes me smile.
“Next time, okay?” She makes it sound as if our minds were in the same place of where our night was going to go.
Avery smiles, and as she turns, I gently grab her arm and twirl her back to me. In a quick sweep, my head tilts down to her and I let my mouth graze her soft lips. Going side to side, nuzzling and feeling her breath, just enough to touch her and just enough to make her want more. I pull away, letting my knuckles caress up and down her cheek. I give her an innocent smile while thinking not-so-innocent thoughts.
“Look at your moves, Casanova.” Avery lets her fingers tap against my chest as she bites her lip in enjoyment. “Goodnight, Jake. I’ll see you around.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jake
The next day, I go to visit Gramps. He’s lying in his bed, his tray table between us with a checkerboard on it. He looks a little weaker than last week. It’s his lungs, they say, but he isn’t in pain. He still doesn’t fail to listen and ask questions.
“Is it serious?”
“Yeah, she just doesn’t know it yet. Or maybe she does. She isn’t new in my life, but it’s been a while since we saw each other,” I confess with a confident look.
My grandfather leans back in bed, crossing his arms. “Okay, and why has it been a while?”
Debating what to say, I decide to be open and honest with the man who has played such a vital role in my life.
“We were together in Chicago very briefly,” I remind him.
“Why briefly?” The old man won’t let me get away with vague details.
I try to brush it off. “It doesn’t matter, Gramps.”
My grandfather studies me for a good minute and lets out a sigh before bringing his hand to his chin. “You loved this girl?”
Something resonates. Returning to my grandfather’s inquisition, I answer, “A lot.”
“She knew this?”
Taking a moment to think about his question, my mind recalls those months. It was supposed to be a no-strings relationship. But very quickly, we both knew that was not for us. We wanted to spend every spare second with each other, make the most of those few months. We cared for each other. I was crazy about her and I told her a lot.
After the baby news, we made plans for raising the baby together. But we didn’t talk about getting married or love. We were too preoccupied with the logistics of unexpectedly having a baby. I was saving the “us” conversation for when I asked her to go away with me for the weekend. In fact, even though I knew that Avery was the one I was in love with… I never told her.
I should have told her the other night. I also could have asked her to marry me even after the baby was gone. That is my mistake which I’ve carried around for five years. My guilt.
She was so open with me the other night, and I should have been too. She should know I also made mistakes. But I didn’t tell her because I felt it would make her feel worse for walking away. It didn’t seem right or fair.
I shake my head, ashamed in a way. “No. I didn’t tell her. I wanted to, but something unexpected kind of detoured all our conversations. I regret it now.”
“So, tell her now. You are seeing her, no?” He not only states it, he requests it. I contemplate his words.
“Turns out she moved to Sage Creek, and her friends are my friends. It’s a small world, really. And we’re speaking again, reconnecting again.”
“That sounds like the universe giving you a sign,” my grandfather comments, pointing up to the ceiling with his finger then looking at me and reviewing me.
“I would like to think so. We have a lot of time to catch up on.”
My grandfather smiles. “You’re able to move on then and try again? Get it right for your next chapter?”
Looking at him, I let out a chuckle. “Still hoping I get married soon, huh?” It comes out light-heartedly.
“Yes. You are m
y only grandson and a good one. And my clock is ticking. Maybe I could meet her?” he asks, hopeful.
Nodding, I say, “I’ll do my best.”
I am not letting her go this time. I loved her then, and when I watched her sleep in my arms the other day, it confirms what I always knew. That feeling never went away. Everyone has a “what if” person, and she is mine, except we get a second chance, and it doesn’t need to be an if.
Gramps takes a sip of water from the glass on the table with shaky hands. “You know, you’ve never spoken to me about the women in your life.” Gramps gives me a glare. “Yes, my boy, I know there must be a trail of them, even if you never told me.”
I laugh to myself. I can’t say I was a monk, that’s for sure, but by no means was I playing the field.
It makes me smile and I scratch the back of my neck. “And your point, Gramps?”
“She is different. I see it in you,” the old man reflects.
“She is. She really is.” I let it float in the air.
I let his words sink in. After a pause, I look at my watch and adjust my position in the chair. I need to head back as I have a meeting at four and the drive is a good hour.
“I’m going to head out, Gramps, but I will see you in a few days, okay?” I give him my best look.
“Okay, and maybe, we will actually play a full game of checkers next time,” he mentions as he coughs a little. “And Jacob, tell her. I know what you’re thinking. But just tell her.”
I let his advice hang in my mind.
Arriving at Matchbox, I head over to my friends Leo and Max to say hello. We’ve all had a few grueling days at work and just want to unwind.
Vaguely, I hear Leo comment to me, “You look like you’re finally getting laid. Just keep your puppy-love look out of the negotiation room. I know women tend to make us sappy.”
I flash him a sly smile. “Or it makes me negotiate a lot harder. Real hard. Maybe even on the negotiation table.”
That comment earns me a respectable laugh from Max. “I like his train of thought. My guess is there’s someone here who has you in a good mood.” He drinks from his beer bottle but indicates his head towards the bar.
