Page 28 of Camera Shy

“More or less.”

“What a piece of—”

“I think I would’ve gotten through it. I mean, we were together for four years, so I know I needed time. We own a business together, so it’s not like we can completely sever ties. I think I was okay with eventually being amicable until—”

“The other night?” I ask.

She hugs her knees to her chest again. “He meant to text another woman but accidentally texted me. He let the cat out of the bag that he was screwing someone else…for a while, apparently.”

“Shit, Avery, I’m sorry.” Ah, screw it. I pat her knee tenderly and she smiles at me.

“Thanks.”

“Want me to send him a threatening text?” I ask and she giggles. “I’m completely serious,” I say with a laugh. “Am I bigger than he is?”

“Yes.” Her eyes immediately land on my crotch. She flushes and diverts her gaze when she notices me noticing and I can’t help but howl in laughter.

“I meant”—I gesture to my pecs—“muscles-wise.”

She smirks. “Also yes.”

Goddamn, she’s cute. And funny. She’s good at flirting and doesn’t even realize it. It’s so refreshing to talk to a woman without needing to be on guard. Shit, why not? Maybe we should just sleep together. Lennox is right. If I keep working out my feelings by logging miles on hard pavement, I really will break my knees. I remember Mrs. Mattley’s advice about connecting when I can. This feels like connecting. She’s hurting. I’m hurting. I have a feeling a night wrapped up in the sheets could be a good stress relief for both of us. The image of her full tits and thick, dark nipples fills my mind.

Oh, sue me. I can’t un-see them. Nor would I want to.

“You know what the shitty part is?” Avery asks, interrupting my thoughts about her topless. “It’s not like I was exactly satisfied myself, but I would’ve never considered cheating to be a solution. Have you ever been cheated on?”

I shrug. “Not exactly. But in a way. I can empathize, though.”

“How long have you been single?” she asks.

“Why do you assume I’m single?”

Avery clears her throat and turns toward me, her knee knocking against my thigh. “Because you just had dinner with me, and while I realize I’m not exactly a threat to another woman, no way your girlfriend would let you out of her sight on a Friday night. Not a man like you.”

Not a threat? What? “What kind of man am I?”

“Don’t make me say it out loud,” she mutters before she rises, leaving me behind on the couch. She grabs the quart of ice cream from the fridge and returns to me with two spoons. “You don’t exactly have a body that screams I love ice cream or anything, but I’m more than happy to share.” She gives me a sheepish smile before popping off the lid. She balances the container in her lap.

“You’re making a lot of assumptions about me, Avery,” I say as I take a spoon from her. I stab the cold dessert with the side of my spoon and scoop out a generous bite. “I don’t appreciate it.” I give her a knowing look before putting the spoon in my mouth.

“I’m sorry.” She shrivels in her seat.

I nudge her shoulder with mine, finding any excuse to touch her. “I’m just teasing you.”

I squeeze her knee again, and this time leave my hand there to see if she’ll take the bait. Maybe she knows that making me work for it is the best way to turn me on. I don’t even mind her raggedy shirt and faded cloth pajama shorts. I like her chirpy personality, even when she’s upset. How easy it is to talk to her. That she seems to say whatever is on her mind.

“I am indeed single, though.”

“I figured. You know, you made quite the impression on my friend Palmer.”

Huh? My hand is on her knee and I’m doing that thing where I rub little circles against her skin with my thumb. Yet she wants to talk about her friend? “The blonde who was in your car last week?”

“Yeah. She’s a spitfire. You’d like her. She’s more on your level.”

“My level?” I drag my hand an inch farther up her thigh. She shifts in her seat and I seriously can’t tell if she’s uncomfortable or intrigued. Maybe one more inch higher will give me answers?

“Yes. She’s a ten. You’re a ten. Actually, you’re a ten and a half.” She laughs.

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