Jo: You can always come home until he leaves.
Nothing would make Jo happier, but Brooke was too stubborn to let Andrew push her out.
Brooke: If I leave, he might not. No, Aaron has a choice to make. But I swear if he doesn’t set Andrew straight, I’ll be knocking on your door.
Brooke: How are things going?
Jo: Whatever you need. Going great, but gotta go. Talk later.
Stuffing her phone into her back pocket, Jojoined the others, taking a spot at the end of the island. “What can I do?”
Before his mom could answer, Avery returned with Bryce Donovan—his best friend, according to her Google dive—and Kate Sullivan.
The son of the governor, Bryce ran the family law firm. Rumor had it, he planned to follow his father’s footsteps into politics. If he were running on looks alone, he’d win every vote. With an athletic build, tawny hair, blue eyes, and a smile that could melt the hearts of his most cynical constituents.
I might even vote for him.
Kate looked a lot like Melody. Dark brown hair and eyes, but Kate had a sprinkle of freckles across her nose, hinting at her Irish descent. Jo had the Irish part, especially the freckles, in common with her, but that’s where the similarities started and stopped. Kate had an impressive resume, especially for someone so young. Recently returned from Chicago, she was now head of legal at Preston Enterprises.
Jo felt Avery’s warmth beside her and looked up at him. He drove his fingers through his hair, pushing it off his forehead,and smiled at something someone said. Her belly fluttered. For some reason, she didn’t fight it. She liked this side of him–open, relaxed…so fucking hot.
The mother of all the hotness wiped her hands on a cup towel and rounded the island to greet her new guests.
“Hi, Mom.” Obviously close to Avery’s mother, Bryce gathered Connie into a bear hug, kissed her cheek, then parked himself between Avery and Kate, his arm around her waist drawing her into his side. “Sorry we’re late.”
“We stopped to get wine,” Kate said, blushing as she pulled a bottle of merlot from a slender tote.
“Is that what they’re calling it now?” Melody muttered under her breath and elbowed Kate.
The pink of Kate’s cheeks deepened, and everyone laughed, even Mary as she set the potatoes on the stovetop. The whole atmosphere felt foreign. Avery’s family was nothing like Jo’s, who couldn’t be in the same room together without sniping or complaining.
“Have you met Jo?” Connie asked.
Kate shook her head. “I’ve heard all about you, though.”
“You should only believe half of it”—Jo held up her thumb and forefinger with a bit of space between them—“and add a pinch of salt.”
When she lowered her hand onto the cold marble, Avery moved his away. Just an inch, but a sharp pang in her chest had her drawing hers back to grip the edge of the island. Had she said something wrong?
Her gaze flew to gauge Kate’s response, but she was all smiles as she turned to ask Melody something. Everyone else seemed pleasantly engaged. Except Connie. Her focus was locked on Jo’s white-knuckle hold on the countertop. Had she seen Avery pull away and her reaction?
Overreaction, you mean. Like now. You’re being paranoid.
Bryce and Kate were in love. No one would expect all that lovey-dovey shit from her and Avery.
Stop worrying. Everything is fine.
Yet even as Jo tried to relax, she was aware of Connie’s watchful eyes on her and Avery. What if he was right and she wasn’t buying their lie? Bryce held onto Kate as if he were afraid she’d disappear. Kate’s touches were more subtle, but they were constant. Avery hadn’t touched her once since they arrived.
As much as she wanted to stick to the rules, they weren’t realistic in this setting, and she and Avery both needed his mother to believe their relationship was real. Or at the very least, believe in the chemistry that kept him coming back for more.
Releasing her death grip on the counter, Jo shifted closer to Avery and laid her hand next to his. Her shoulder brushed his arm. A few seconds later, he shifted his weight the opposite direction.
She sighed inwardly. He was only doing as she requested, honoring the rules.
Or he’s just not that into you.
What difference does that make? You’re not here for that.
