“Let’s hear it. How did sushi make you think of soda?”
Avery brightens. “Well, obviously you can eat—ordrink—both. And I’ve been shoveling all this maki into my mouth. And I’m starting to feel pretty full… Then my brain was like ‘What if you eat too much? What if you start feeling sick? What if it’s like the soda thing all over again?’ And then out of my mouth—boom—soda story.”
I nod along as her eyes dip back to her food. She’s cute when she tells stories, but by the way she initially hesitated has me wondering if maybe I’m the first one to think that. So without thinking, I say, “Don’t ever think your stories shouldn’t be told, okay?”
“Okay.” Her cheeks pink as she drags the last of a little spring roll through a thick brown sauce, mopping up her plate. “How much was this anyway?”
I can feel her eyes on me, but I leave my gaze trained on my empty bowl. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Ty, I can’t just keep racking up my debt to you.”
“Why not?”
She doesn’t find my smirk amusing.
I sigh. “I told you, it’s no big deal. Plus, you’re watering the plants and apparently doing the dance lesson thing, so we’re even.”
“Hardly.” She tosses aside the throw blanket she’s been nested in and stands to gather the paper and plastic cartons. “When are we starting your lessons, by the way? Tonight?”
I shake my head.
She eyes me up and down, like she’s making some kind of assessment.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.” She spins around, her ponytail flicking from side to side as she flounces toward the kitchen.
I shift in my seat as she dumps our trash in the garbage can, a loud sigh echoing through the open space.
“What?” I ask again.
She shakes her head, leaning against the counter. “I’m just thinking what a shame it is that you don’t want to start your lessons yet. I mean… Based on how weird you got when I proposed the idea, something tells me I have my work cut out for me.”
“I’m pretty good on my feet.”
“Yeah, when they’re in cleats, and you’re blitzing the quarterback.” She crosses her arms. “Prove it.”
I try to hide my amusement. “No.”
She scoops up Dolly just as he springs onto the island from somewhere below. In a second, she’s flipping him onto his back, cradling him in her arms like anewborn. I cock a brow.
“He likes it. He’s my baby,” she says simply. “Don’t think you can get out of dance lessons. They’re happening. And while we’re at it, I might as well teach you how to care for these orchids. Half of them look like they’re about to croak. I can’t be your live-in plant lady forever.”
“Aye, aye.” I salute her.
She points a finger in my direction. “No more handouts.” When I don’t say anything, she rocks in place. Dolly closes his eyes. “Except for the house. But this is temporary. I’ll be outta your hair before you know it. Once I get back on my feet. Once the business takes off.”
“Got it.”
“Good night, Ty,” she says with finality. “We start lessonssoon.”
“Can’t wait.”
She smirks and disappears down the hall, her footsteps much softer than what I would ever assume could come from the wrecking ball I found in the kitchen earlier. Despite destroying dinner, my pan, and my plans for the night—though I should be thanking her for that. If this is what it’s like to live with her, it’s not bad. She may be chaos embodied, but it keeps things interesting to say the least.
And I’d never say this to her, but dance lessons with Avery might not be half bad.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
