Page 78 of The Fall Out

Gianna crossed her arms and tilted her head, as if she was miffed that I’d bail.

“What’s wrong?” Bo croaked.

“The birds have the flu. We don’t want Puff to get sick, so she’s saying goodbye and driving home. They need her. The birds can’t die.” Chris tugged me to the chair where I’d left my purse.

Gianna’s eyes widened, and she bolted upright in her chair. “What?”

“Hopefully it’s not that bad,” I rushed out as Chris shoved my purse into my arms. “Really, I can stay. They’ve got it covered?—”

“We just had this conversation,” Bo gritted out. “Everyone is going back to their important lives and leaving me be. Remember?” He shot each of us a glare. “Because I am fine.”

“It sounds like they need you, Avery,” Gianna added.

My heart felt like it had cracked in two, but I’d go. It was clear they supported the decision, and there was a lot to get done at the zoo. I stepped up next to the bed and patted Bo’s hand. “I’m glad you’re doing better.”

“We’ll see you soon.” He flipped his hand over and gave mine a light squeeze.

Gianna appeared beside me and shocked the hell out of me by throwing her arms around me. “Thanks for being here for my brother,” she whispered. Then she pulled back and glared at Chris. “Come back with actual coffee after you walk her to her car.”

With a shake of his head, Chris herded me from the room. He was quiet as we rode the elevator to the ground floor and as he guided me to the parking garage.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” I asked, frowning up at him.

“Your job is important.” He opened my car door and put gentle pressure on my lower back. “And we’re good now.”

Still torn, I held my breath, but I climbed into the driver’s seat.

He rested a hand on the door frame and leaned down. “Drive safe, okay?”

All I could do was nod.

“Text me.”

I nodded again, feeling like a bobblehead.

He swallowed and shut his eyes. When he opened them again, an intensity I hadn’t seen in forever shone brightly in them. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you came. Or how much I needed you these last few days.” He cleared his throat. “You showing up, being here for me without me having to ask?” Ducking his head, he went silent for several heartbeats, but then he swallowed, his throat working, and fixed his gaze on me again. “It means so much.”

We were frozen like that, neither of us moving, the air around us charged in a way that buzzed almost audibly.

On impulse, I leaned up and pressed my lips to his. He jerked back like I’d shocked him, bumping his head on the doorframe in the process. He cupped a hand over his mouth and stared at me, wide-eyed.

And my heart sank, along with my stomach. Shit. I had thought…

“Sorry,” I said, whipping my head around and studying my hands in my lap.

“No, Avery, it’s not…” He trailed off.

“I should go.” I swallowed back the tears threatening behind my eyes and blinked rapidly.

He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Text me when you get home.”

“Yup.” I nodded, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.

He cupped my cheek and gently turned my face so I was forced to look at him. “After Florida, we’re going to talk.”

I nodded again, not trusting my voice.

And with that, he stepped back and shut the car door between us.

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