"Yeah, she is." I look at him over my shoulder, only to realize he’s said that to me, and only me, igniting a part of me that shouldn’t have gotten excited over such a simple compliment.
Two weeks ago, I could’ve sworn he hated me.
Either, he’s a fantastic actor, or he really just wants to fuck me.
"And don’t think I haven’t noticed that beautiful necklace. It looksexpensive."Tori wiggles her brows at me, and my hand reaches for it, resting in the place he intended for it to stay. "Isaw the articles about you shutting downAmore’s,Jones. I must admit, I hoped I’d see something on her finger." She challenges with a sly grin, but Avery keeps his cool, moving his hand to my lap where mine rests.
He threads his fingers through my left hand before bringing it up to his lips to kiss. "It’ll be a ring next if she keeps wearing dresses like this." He fiddles with the thin strap over my shoulder.
Goosebumps prickle my skin, and a slight shiver runs through me from his words, his touch. I pick up the glass of champagne that’s been sitting in front of me, untouched for the last hour, and take a sip
"Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Avery," I tease.
His eyebrows pinch together, something that looks a lot like determination flashing across his face.
I can feel Tori’s stare burning a hole in the sides of my face while I search his eyes.
Dark blue circles are around his irises, a soft, sky blue fills the center with subtle streaks of green that you would only be able to see if you were as close as I am right now.
"If a ring is what will keep you by my side, and I get to call you ‘my wife’, then the next time you see us, Terri, mark my words, she’ll have a rock on her ring finger, andJoneson every legal document."
Terri.That’s her name.
I ignore the way warmth pools between my legs at his arrogant statement, and shove down the butterflies in my stomach.
He kisses the back of my hand again, excuses himself from the table, and heads toward the bar. His teammate, Ryder York, falls into step right beside him as he goes to get another glass of icy, chilled water, I assume.
"I’ll let you in on a little bit of a secret, Olive,"Terrisays, curling her finger toward me for me to come closer. "A lot of theteam has a bet going to see how long this lasts. Avery has never been serious about anybody before. Not really, anyway." She smiles, taking my hand in hers. "Happiness looks good on him. And I know we just met, but after seeing him upload a snippet of your last show in NYC on his Instagram, with ‘Proud’as the caption, the guy is totally smitten. I just hope he doesn’t mess it up."
I make a mental note to check his Instagram later, while forcing myself to swallow the rest of this champagne to drown my discomfort.
Avery is no longer by my side to hold my hand. I’m not alone, yet I feel lonely. And I know deep down that when this all goes to shit, he’s going to get the blame, even though it should fall on me.
We spend the rest of the night hand in hand, arm in arm, trading simple kisses, but only when people are watching, and where our boundaries allow.
Ourboundariesthat appeared out of nowhere, completely unspoken.
I’d tell him to kiss me, and he would.
On the back of the hand.
Forehead.
Temple.
Corner of the mouth.
My Goddamnshoulder.
But never on my lips
And I’mover it.
Hearing the completely made-up version of our story he spun…God, it did something to me. Softened me in a way I didn’t expect. I found myself clinging to him. For protection, maybe. But it felt like something more to me.
All night, I’ve been telling himhowto touch me,whento touch me, andwhere. At first, he was a little hesitant, but as the night progressed, he became much more comfortable and did things his way.
But it isn’t enough.
