Page 29 of That Kind of Guy

“Avery,it was so nice running into you at the fair,” Miri told her. “I hardly see you outside The Arbutus.”

The four of us—myself, Avery, Scott, and Miri Yang—were out for dinner Sunday night at Bob’s Barbeque. Scott Yang was the head of the local trade union. Holden and I had known the guy since we started our company and always took him and Miri out for a nice dinner around Christmas time. He was a nice guy to work with, never lost his temper, and was punctual. On the rare occasion that there was a dispute with any of the trades guys regarding Rhodes Construction, he brought it to us immediately and was straight with us. He was fair, always willing to share the responsibility, and he was well respected by the couple hundred members of the union—which is why I needed to secure his endorsement in the election.

Miri was no slouch in the influence department, either. She knew everyone and was liked by all. She was also extremely talkative and effusive, and if we nailed this tonight, she’d be a major advocate of the validity of our relationship.

“The restaurant keeps me busy, but I love it.” Avery glanced between Miri and the menu. “I feel like it’s my baby that I’m leaving with a babysitter for the first time.”

Miri laughed. “I’ve been there many times, and you have that place running like a navy ship.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Avery smiled into her menu, clearly pleased.

“It’s true.” Scott nodded at her. “Maybe I’ll send you some of my younger trades guys, you can scare them straight.”

Avery’s expression turned devious, and we all laughed.

I watched her. She was a fucking natural. I should have known.

And me? I was a fucking genius. Never again would I bring Holden along to one of these dinners. I loved my brother, but the guy was a terrible conversationalist. There was no small talk with that guy, no polite questions, no inquiring about how someone’s work was going. He always just sat there, ate his food, and listened while I chatted away with whoever we were eating with.

But now? I was never taking another client or potential endorsement out for dinner again without her by my side.

My gaze snagged on Avery’s neckline and the smooth skin of her collarbone. She had nailed it in the “looking sharp” department, with a white silk t-shirt, black jeans, and black suede heels. I was no women’s fashion expert, but she had dressed nice enough to show respect to our dinner guests but not so over the top that it made Miri uncomfortable. The jeans fit her perfectly, and I couldn’t help but notice how great her ass looked when I picked her up.

“That is a gorgeous necklace,” Miri noticed, and Avery’s hand came to the old-looking silver pendant hanging around her neck.

Avery nodded with enthusiasm. “Oh, thank you, it’s vintage,” she told Miri. “If there’s ever anything you’re looking for, let me know. I know all the good vintage sites, and I have a few friends in Victoria who give me a heads-up when they get new stock in.”

Miri’s eyes lit up. “That would be amazing.”

I was a goddamn genius. Who knew Avery could be so likeable? Not me. She was friendly, sweet, Miri and Scott already liked her, she asked all the right questions and laughed in all the right parts of the story. Is this what it felt like to not have to carry the conversation? I grinned to myself.Isaac Anderson, I’m coming for you, I thought.

“Well, Avery,” Scott said, interrupting my barrage of self-congratulations. “You’ve got a good one here. Emmett is a good man.” He nodded at me. “Works hard to make sure his employees are happy and always does the right thing.”

She raised an eyebrow at me in disbelief. “Oh, does he?”

I nodded at her with a look that saidplay along.“Yep. I’m a good guy, Avery.” The side of my mouth hitched. “That’s why you’re dating me, right?” I gave her a wink, just to push her boundaries a little.

I thought about the way she looked in that mushroom hat and nearly burst out laughing. Okay, maybe I wasn’t a good guy, but it was worth it to see her wearing that hilarious hat.

She watched me for a beat with eyes narrowed but a small smile on her lips. “Exactly. That’s exactly why I’m dating you.”

“A partner is a great thing, Emmett.” Scott put his arm around Miri and she looked up at him in adoration. “Eleven years in, and I can’t imagine my life without Miri.”

I nodded and smiled at them. “That’s sweet.”

Miri nudged Scott. “He had to convince me, but best decision I ever made.”

Avery’s mouth twisted. “Oh, there was some convincing on Emmett’s part.”

Scott leaned forward. “I have to say, I was surprised to hear about you two. Emmet, you never seemed like you wanted to settle down.” He looked at Avery. “Until now, of course.”

I still didn’t want to settle down. The idea of a wife and family turned my stomach. It was great for Will. Will always wanted a family. But me? I liked being alone.

But Scott didn’t know that.

“What can I say?” I reached out and grabbed Avery’s hand on her lap. “I found my soulmate.” I squeezed her hand, and she returned my squeeze with a death grip. I grinned at her. She didnotlike that soulmate comment. “Right, honey?”

“Right, darling,” Avery replied through gritted teeth.

---