Nick shrugged. “He also said a warrant was issued, so that means they have evidence.”
It wasn’t from the mixer. The police had given that back. “What else?”
“An arrest is pending, but Hardy said arrests don’t happen like they do in the movies. It could take a while, months even.”
“Fuck. She can’t have this hanging over her head that long.”
“Neither can you.” Nick pinned him with knowing blue eyes. “It’s been five weeks. What’s your plan?”
Avery didn’t need the reminder, and he didn’t have a fucking plan. Time was ticking. It seemed like they were barely getting started, and he had so many things he still wanted to do with her—to her.
Maybe he should float another arrangement past her, perhaps extending their time together until after Marcus’ wedding. That would keep her under his protection as well as give him more time with her.
Feminine laughter grew louder as the girls sifted, one by one, from the throng of gamblers, saving Avery from having to answer Nick.
Kate slipped under Bryce’s open arm. “We thought we should stop while we were ahead.”
Bryce tucked her in close. “You do know you’re winnings aren’t real?”
“Of course, but we don’t want to look like losers.”
Avery waited for Jo to press through.
Olivia stopped in front of him. “Jo asked me to tell you she’s going to the galley to see one of her friends. Viv, I think.”
“Thanks.” He smiled but frustration spiked his blood and curled his fingers into fists at his sides. She knew better than to run off by herself. “Guess I’ll go try to find her.”
When he did, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight until they got home, and then, he was going to spank that pretty little ass for making him worry about her. After that, he planned to make her beg him to fuck her.
****
The air outside the museum was cool compared to the heat of the small caterer’s galley tucked in the back. Jo had missed the sounds of the kitchen—her former co-workers bustling about,pots clanging, and the slam of an oven door—but she couldn’t have heard Viv right.
“Wait.” She blinked. “You want to say that again.”
“I know, it’s crazy but true.” Viv poked her head out the door of the catering van. “She’s caterin’ Georgia’s weddin’ for free.”
“That’s what I thought you said.” Jo hadn’t heard a peep from her family about it. Just the usual belittling texts or those demanding she bring Avery. Still nothing at all from Chase. “Why would she do that?”
“Found ’em.” Viv climbed down from the van with a small tub of linen-wrapped flatware. She handed them to Theo who waited at the kitchen door, then turned to Jo. “She said it was the least she could do for firin’ you.”
“She couldn’t just give me my job back?” Not that Jo would ever go back to work for Giselle or anyone else. She’d come too far. Well, not that far. A few private clients did not a business make. But she liked knowing every new client was a building block towardherdream and not someone else’s.
“I asked her that. She said somethin’ about kickin’ you out of the nest and letting you fly on your own, but I think she didn’t want to have to admit she was wrong.” Viv shook her head and whistled low. “All I can say is, karma’s name is Georgia, and I kinda enjoy watchin’ Gruella get hers.”
Jo chuckled. “Then I’ll see you next weekend, and we’ll watch the fireworks together.”
“Will Just Avery be there?”
The question caught her off guard. Her body tingled at his name and at the memory of their earlier exchange. The way hiseyes had burned with a sinful promise she’d taste one last time while her heart hungered for the one he could never make.
She rubbed her arms and shook her head to clear it. “No, he’ll, um, be out of town.”
Not a lie, and it was better for everyone if they believed whatever story Avery put out about their breakup. They had yet to talk about it, so, yeah, that conversation was next on the agenda, between thank you for everything and goodbye.
“Thanks for the heads up.” She started to go back inside. “I’d better get back.
Viv stopped with a raised hand. “Let me make sure the coast is clear. You know how she is about nonessential personnel in her kitchen.”
