Even if he did, she wouldn’t. The apartment she’d been waiting for had opened up, and she’d signed the lease yesterday. Move-in was set for a week from Monday. Her bags were packed and waiting in her car. She didn’t have much. She wasn’t taking the clothes he’d purchased. She’d stay with Brooke for the nextfew days—Aaron’s brother had finally moved out—then she’d be at the motel in Jeopardy for Georgia’s wedding.
Over the last two weeks, they’d settled into a temporary routine. Jo had pounded the pavement for new clients and bakeries looking for outside sources and picked up a few more orders from Mrs. Rossi and her friends. Avery went into the office for early morning meetings, worked late into the evening, and played golf with the Sigmas on Saturdays. But every night, no matter how late he’d worked, they shared dinner and burned up the sheets until dawn.
Jo fingered the red dress she’d bought the day of the home-shopping invasion. It was a dress for temptation, and as she slipped it over her head, she let go of the what-ifs and might-have-beens and strode out of the closet, a seductive smile on her face.
Necklace dangling from one finger, she held up her hair and spun to reveal the backless design. “Help a girl out?”
With a low groan, he trailed his fingers up her spine, and as his lips resumed the trail they’d given up earlier along her neck, she made a deal with herself. If tonight was their last night, she’d leave Avery with one hell of a memory.
****
Red carpet. Spotlights. Black tie. Jo would never get used to this, and she could do without the paparazzi, but she had to admit, the rich sure knew how to throw a party.
They were late, so they’d missed all the accolades and applause. Traffic had been a nightmare after dropping off Mrs. Rossi’s order, which took a while since the women of her Saturday night Bunco made a big deal out of them delivering baked goods in formal wear. When Avery explained where theywere headed, Mrs. Rossi wanted pictures. Jo had balked, but Avery reminded her it was good publicity both for her business and for the benefit, so she couldn’t say no.
By the time they arrived at the museum, their pictures were all over social media and the gala was in full swing. Some of the less exciting exhibit pieces had been cleared in each section to make room for the main attractions of casino night—roulette, blackjack, and craps. Men wearing tuxes and women dripping in silk and diamonds crowded the gaming tables.
A hand at her back, Avery led her to the check-in table just inside the lobby, where they picked up a map of the museum and the fake money for fake gambling on their last fake date.
Fate is definitely having a good time.
She looped her arm through his. “So how does this work?”
“If it’s the same as last year, some of the exhibits are open for us to tour, and of course, there’s dancing and gambling.”
“With fake money.”
“It’s supposed to make it more fun and skates past the ‘no gambling’ laws in Texas. At the end of the night, people are encouraged to donate the equivalent of their winnings and, hopefully, add to it.” He pointed to his friends holding up the far wall like suspects in a GQ lineup. “We’ll say hi, then join my family.”
Jo looked at the stack of golden one-thousand-dollar bills. There were at least a hundred. That would put her back to square one if the money were real.
Avery stopped, cupped her elbows, and drew her close. Just like that, the world around them disappeared.
She loved these moments, these little bubbles he pulled her into, where he made her feel like she was the only one in the room with him. Where her hard edges softened, because, in his arms, she was safe and wanted.
The bubble was fake, just like the rest of their relationship. When it popped, and it would because she planned to do the popping, she’d have to toughen up again.
Tomorrow.
“Jo, I know where your head is at”—no, he didn’t have a clue—“but I want you to promise me, if you gamble, you’ll give it your all. I want you to have a good time and not be worried.” He patted his coat pocket. “My donation is already set.”
She nodded. “Blackjack and poker, I can do, but the rest, not so much, and I don’t really know how to place bets.”
“I’ll teach you.” He pulled her in tighter and lightly kissed her lips.
The brief taste of him left her starving for more. “I’d love that.”
He’d taught her so much in the last few weeks. Besides the difference in the cut of his tuxes, he’d shown her some of the pitfalls in her budget. And, of course, every second in his bed was an education. The things he’d done to her, the way he’d made her come alive, the way he seemed to savor and cherish every inch of her body.
But more importantly, she’d learned that, to trust someone, she had to be open herself, trust her judgement, and not be so hard on herself. Learning to laugh and enjoy life was something she’d forgotten how to do since her grandma died.
After losing Avery, she’d be stronger.
“Dang, girl, I was hopin’ to see you tonight.” The familiar Southeast Texas lilt burst their bubble but fell over Jo like a warm blanket on a cold night and couldn’t have been more welcome.
Jo spun in Avery’s arms. “Viv!”
A tray in each hand, Viv tilted her chin at Jo’s dress. “You clean up pretty good.” She gave Avery a wink. “And you're wearing Just Avery like a rock star.”
