Page 138 of Camera Shy

I shrug. “She’s just as insecure, but unlike Nora, she doesn’t punish other people for it. Avery’s graceful, sweet, strong, and considerate. And don’t get me wrong, I think being vulnerable is a good thing, but I think she needs time to work on herself. Whether or not she admits it, she’s still hurting over her jackass ex. Neglect is just another form of abuse and he strung her along for years. That would fuck with any woman’s head.”

Lennox takes another sip of her coffee, carefully considering her words. “I don’t understand, Finn. Everybody has a past. Why are you blaming yourself for this?”

I set down my cup and rub my hands over my face. “Because I’ve spent all summer trying to show her how to have a hot sex life like it’s the only answer to a happy relationship.” I tap my temple. “I planted that right here in her head. It wasn’t what I meant to do, but I didn’t know I was going to have such strong feelings for her.”

She turns down her lips and nods slowly. “You’re right. You’re a pig.” She shrugs. “Summer’s almost over. She’ll move back home. Let her go. You can go back to fucking like a man whore.”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean, it was pretty inconsiderate of you to just give her exactly what she asked for. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

I purse my lips at her. “Really? You’re going to try and reverse psychology me?”

She pokes out her tongue. “Not at all. I’m just saying Avery deserves a guy who is willing to fight for her and make it work no matter what. Ups and downs. Grow together. Change together. Communicate. If you were the real deal, you wouldn’t be here moping and giving her space. You’d be on both of your knees at her doorstep, begging her to be with you. Obviously, that’s not you.”

I deadpan, “You’re annoying in the mornings.”

Lennox flashes me a toothy grin.

“And I told you, Avery doesn’t want to move here. How can we be together? I can’t just pick up the studio and move it. I have more ties to Vegas than she has to L.A.”

“So what, Finn? She’s not ready to move her entire life after knowing you for what? Nine weeks? Deal with it. If you think she’s something special, make it work. Do long distance and take the time to prove yourself. You’re not your dad. She’s not your mom. Stop boxing everybody into good guys and bad guys. That’s not how life works. People are messy. People make mistakes. Some people are worth just going through shitty dumpster fires with because there’s something great on the other side.”

Lennox disappears down the hallway into my bedroom and returns with my phone in her hand. She hands it to me. “Look, you have a missed call from Avery.”

I look at my phone and see she called ten minutes ago. Long after I gave up on trying to contact her last night. Maybe Cass was right. She just needed some time to think. I suck in a deep breath. “What do I say?” I ask Lennox. As much as I think I understand women, it’s hard to think straight when I feel like this. Caught up, nervous, scared to lose her, but scared to let her get too close and repeat history.

“Just tell her you guys can start fresh. No sex deals. No conditions. No ultimatums. Ask her what she needs from a relationship. And tell her what you need too. Then find a compromise.”

“Were you always this wise?”

She clicks her jaw and winks. “Yes. Just thank God you’re finally listening.”

“All right,” I say, “carry on.” I shoo her away with both hands. “I’ll call her right now.”

“Uh, no, my friend.” Lennox makes a face like I’m ridiculous. “I’m staying right here so you don’t fuck this up. I’m invested now. Put it on speaker.”

I place my phone on speaker and call Avery back. It barely rings once.

“Hey, Finn? Is that you?”

Lennox’s mouth gapes open and my heart sinks ten floors. I know that voice so well, but it’s not Avery’s.

“Nora?”

“Yeah. Hey.”

“Why are you answering Avery’s phone?”

“She forgot it in the car last night when we left the club.”

“She left with you?”

“Yeah. I just got it charged. Can you believe her passcode is one-one-one-one?”

“Nora, don’t go through her phone—”

“Calm down, Finn. I’m just trying to return it. Yours was the only number I knew. Do you want to meet me and come pick it up for her?”

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