Page 10 of Just One Chance
“I did,” David said. “It’s my day off, so...here I am.” A blush crept up his neck. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” Avery looked at the bench behind him. “Did you bring coffee?”
“Oh. Yeah.” He stepped to the side revealing the coffee he’d unsuccessfully tried to hide. “I just thought...you know, since it’s morning, and you’re working, and people drink coffee in the morning...”
Poor guy. Was he always this nervous? “That was really nice of you,” she said. “I’d love some.”
David’s shoulders relaxed the tiniest bit and he picked up the drink carrier, lifting one of the cups out and offering it to her. “I just got two of what I normally drink. I hope that’s okay.”
Avery took a sip, willing herself not to make a face. The drink didn’t taste like coffee, it tasted like straight up dessert. “Wow,” she said. “That’s . . . sweet.”
David’s eyes went wide. “Is it?” He took his own sip. “Sorry. I guess I’m used to it. I always add a swirl of salted caramel and fresh cream.”
“How do ever you maintain your figure,” Avery joked.
“Here, you don’t have to drink it.” David reached for her cup. “I should have thought about the sugar.”
She moved the cup out of his reach, then took another sip. The flavors were definitely growing on her. “Oh, I’m not giving this up. I didn’t say I didn’t like it. It just isn’t what I was expecting.”
David forced out a breath. “You’re sure you’re not just saying that to be nice?”
Avery took another long sip. He’d maybe ruined regular coffee for her forever. “I’m positive. This is delicious.”
Shelley showed up seconds later, a behind-the-scenes pass attached to a bright blue Charleston Aquarium lanyard in her hand. She handed the pass to Avery, then smiled at David before turning back to the ticket counter.
“I hope I didn’t come at a bad time,” David said.
“No, it’s great,” Avery lied. He’d obviously made quite the effort to get there. If she’d thought herself capable of turning him away before, she definitely wasn’t going to now. “Come on.” She motioned toward a side entrance for employees. “I can get you in over here.” They moved in and out of the crowds until they reached the door where Avery used her ID to buzz them in. “I’m actually really glad you came. You know, I’ve given the same invitation dozens of times. No one has ever taken me up on it before.”
David stopped, something flitting across his face before he schooled his features into something more neutral. “Oh. Right. Well, lucky me, I guess?”
In an instant, Avery realized what had happened.
The coffee. David’s nerves. He’d treated her “free tour of the aquarium” like it was some special invitation she’d only extended to him, like it was more of a date.
And she’d just told him she’d invited half the island to do the same thing. Talk about dashing a guy’s hopes.
Avery’s phone pinged with a text and she gave it a quick glance. She held up a finger to David. “Sorry, this is my boss. Give me just a sec.”
So sorry, Avery,the text read.I’ve got to pick up a sick kid from school, so I need to push our meeting to tomorrow morning. Can you confirm?
Avery typed out a quick response confirming the reschedule.
“I don’t mind going through on my own,” David said. “Truly. I don’t want to take you from your work.”
It was an easy out. Avery could always find something to do to stay busy, but it felt wrong to abandon David. She realized spending the day with him risked giving him the wrong impression—she definitely hadn’t considered it a date when she’d extended the invitation—but he just seemed so . . . earnest.
“Actually, my boss just cancelled a meeting, so I’m free for the rest of the morning.”
“You’re sure?”
Avery smiled. “Let’s start in the first gallery.”
Shelley had been right. David wasn’t Avery’s type at all. But that didn’t stop her from enjoying their time together. He was funny. And witty. And intimidatingly smart. He asked thoughtful questions. And looked right at her when she answered, as if what she was saying was the most interesting thing he’d heard anyone say all day. Whether she was talking about the animals at the aquarium, or just sharing random things about living in Charleston, she’d never been around anyone who was so completely attentive.
The longer they were together, the more David’s social awkwardness melted away.
After they finished the Sea Turtle Center tour, they paused beside the small restaurant that was inside the aquarium. It was hardly a restaurant. More like a glorified snack bar. Still, David stopped and looked up at the menu. “Can I buy you lunch?” he asked.
