“Really?”Even though we’re playing, I know she means it.
“Anything for my old lady.”She looks me in the eye, and the vibe shifts again.“I will never take what you did for me—for us—lightly, Nic.”
“I know.”Even though I lost a great deal, it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice.All I have to do is look at Avery, and I feel it everywhere.Sometimes, life makes the choice for you.
“How about that dinner?”I say.
“Can I observe?”There’s that irresistible smirk again.
“We just watched you so it’s only fair you get to watch me now.”I kiss her on the cheek before getting up.“I enjoy a glass of wine when cooking.Do you have any?”I’ve never seen Avery drink a drop of alcohol—something else we haven’t discussed yet.
“I even have a wine fridge.”She jumps up, takes my hand, and leads me to the kitchen.
“I’m impressed by how many gadgets you have.”I can’t really help myself either when I’m around her.
“Do you want white, red, rosé, or something with bubbles?”
“Red would be nice.”I glance around her state-of-the-art kitchen.“You don’t drink?”
“Nah.”She shakes her head.“I never liked the taste of alcohol.”
“Fair enough.”I smile.“More for me, then.”
She pours me a glass of wine, and when she hands it to me she says, “Don’t you think it’s time you met my friends?”
“High time.”I take the glass from her, our fingers touching.
Avery is the one who pulls away first, before it can turn into something else again.“I’ll set it up.”
Another something to look forward to in my new life.
Chapter33
Avery
Being with Nic is so easy, I haven’t had a chance to screw it up yet.She’s busy winding down her practice—for me—and I have my hands full with the seemingly never-ending press a big production likeDeadline for Lovedemands.And thwarting questions about my unethical former shrink.
In the end, Leslie and I decided on a no-comment position.I’m not denying it, although I have zero objections to lying to the so-called journalists that work for exploitative websites like TMZ.But it would be difficult to deny my relationship with Nic, because my life—and my head—is full of her now.
We sleep together.We cook together.We eat together.We have a lot of hot sex together.We spend as much time together as possible and I haven’t felt the urge to run away yet.
Meanwhile, I’ve said yes to Mimi St.James’s new movie—working title:Double Exposure—for which I’m very excited.That project is only in the script phase though and I’ve worked in this business long enough to know that it could take years before the shoot actually begins—if it ever gets that far.
But Leslie’s phone’s been ringing off the hook sinceQueer Girl Summerand my next movie has been in the works for a while.Rehearsals start in a few weeks.It’s a much-hyped movie adaptation of a best-selling psychological thriller in which I play the lead.I’m studying the script when my phone rings.
“I still can’t believe you slept with my therapist, bitch,” Sienna says.
“Maybe you need to go back into therapy so you can get over it,” I reply.
“I can’t because my favorite shrink is about to lose her license.”Sienna gives as good as she gets, which is why she has become one of my best friends.
“Touché,” is all I can say.“My new one’s pretty good, though.”
“How hot is she?”Sienna asks.
I chuckle.“To be honest, I’ve barely noticed.”
“Coz you only have eyes for Dr.Nic now?”
