Page 65 of Diamonds & Deception

“Why do you think that?”

“Look where he lives.” I spread my arms out. “Even his friends have apartments. He can’t pull himself away from work long enough to keep a relationship. Tonight is more proof of that.”

I have no idea what he’s doing tonight or who he’s going with. I don’t care, at least, I try to convince myself I don’t care.

“I’d imagine penthouse life would get old after a while. Once you have kids, he’ll want a real house.”

I laugh. “First marriage, now kids? Avery, you’re a romantic!”

“Of course I am. I want it all. Gorgeous, doting husband. Which Drake seems to be, minus the husband label.”

“I’ll give you gorgeous.” I finish chopping the vegetables and add them to the lettuce piled on two plates.

“He’s not doting?”

I think back to when we were dating. Yes, most definitely yes. The past twenty-four hours, when he owed me nothing, he dropped whatever meetings I’m sure he had to make sure Daisy and I were taken care of.

“Fine. He’s doting. That doesn’t make a marriage. Not that we’re even dating anymore.”

“When you were dating, did you guys find you had a lot in common? Did you have fun being together even when it wasn’t sexy times? Although, I’m sure the sexy times would have more than made up for any boring moments.”

“There were no boring moments. Yeah, I enjoy—enjoyed spending time with him.”

“So what went wrong, if you don’t mind me asking? I’m a romantic, and I’m nosy. Well, romantic when it comes to my friends. I’m not looking for it myself. The two go hand-in-hand. I can’t put you back together if I don’t know what went wrong.”

I set the knife down on the cutting board and contemplate what to tell her. It’s not like I need to keep my identity a secret any longer. Drake was the only one I didn’t want to know who I was.

“It’s a long story.”

“I’m all ears.”

I start at the beginning. The call my parents got about Carly’s death. The frequent trips to Boston and phone calls with the detective. The lack of answers. My internal drive to investigate, and all the details in between. I leave out the part where Drake blindfolded and tied me to the bed. I give her a PG version where he corners me and forces the information out of me.

When I’m done, we’ve finished our chicken salad.

“Wow. That’s a lot to process. I get it though. I’m so sorry about your sister and Lenora. If I had the skills like you, I probably would have done the same thing. I’m sure Drake forgives you. Or will eventually.”

“I’m pretty sure Drake and your brother hate me. His two otheracefriends do as well.”

“If my brother hated you, he wouldn’t have busted down the door of my apartment and demanded I come over here to spend the day with you. I don’t know the other two, but according to Trey, Ryder is a manwhore who loves every chick in a skirt, so I doubt he hates you. And Nolan is like a badass secret spy or something.”

“Former Navy SEAL.” If I wasn’t grieving, I might have laughed. Avery continues to remind me of Lenora.

“Can we go back to the part about your brother forcing you to come here? Why would he do that?”

“Duh.” Avery hip-checks me at the sink and takes my plate out of her hands. “Because Drake told him to. He’s worried about you and wants me to be with you. Now go sit. You cooked. I’ll do the dishes.”

“I haven’t even asked you how your first week at work went.” I’d been too caught up in getting busted and dumped, feeling sorry for myself, and then...

“It’s awesome. I love the people and my job.” Avery rattles on about her work, which I’m impressed by. She’s currently working on a study to cure tuberculosis.

When she starts to yawn, I look at the clock. “I’m being selfish by keeping you up when you have to get up early tomorrow.”

“I’m glad Drake asked Trey to bring me here.” She hugs me hard. “Please don’t hesitate to call or text or drop by my place any time. Okay?” She takes out her phone and sends a text. “And if you get sick of staring at that beautiful man, you can always crash on my couch. It pulls out to a bed. But I have no doubt you and Drake will work things out.”

Trey knocks on the door and lets himself in.

“That was quick,” Avery says.

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