“We’re listening,” Matt coaxed her.
“I have a bit of a personal problem that Owen can solve for me. A proposition, if you will. My ex-husband will be in town next week with his new girlfriend,” she spat out the word. “I want to make him jealous. I want Owen to take me on a public date to show me off around town. Show my husband what he's missing.”
“I'm sorry—what?” Matt mirrored Owen's look of disbelief.
“You heard me. Owen takes me on a date. A convincing date that shows my husband I've moved on. In exchange, his blueprints, and anything else he needs, will be approved.”
“Why me?” Owen chimed into the conversation, unable to hold back any longer.
“Why not you? You're young, you're hot, you're one of the few single guys left in town. My options are limited, and you're the best one I've got.”
Owen huffed a humorless laugh. “At least you're honest.”
“So, boys, what’ll it be?”
Owen shook his head at Matt in denial. No way would he go through with a fake date with Tori. Not when he couldn't stop thinking about how he almost kissed Ava last night.
“How about you approve the blueprints, and Owen will think about taking you on a date,” Matt countered. Owen mouthedhell noto Matt, who pretended not to see.
“I’ll approve the blueprints by the end of the day if Owen agrees now.”
“You approve the blueprints now and Owen gives you an answer by end of day. You have no grounds for denial and the county supersedes any decisions of the Historical Society. Final offer.”
Tori's dramatic sigh came through the phone. “Fine. You'll have the notarized approval by tomorrow morning, but I expect your answer before end of day Owen. Don't keep me waiting.”
The click of the phone signaled the end of their call.
“Dude, you really had to sleep with Tori Wells, of all the women in town? Fresh off her divorce? She's never going to unhook her sights from you now.” Matt shook his head.
“I thought she was over it. It was months ago. A onetime thing.”
Owen resumed pacing the room. His frustrations mounted after the proposition from Tori. A date with Tori was out of the question, fake or not.
“So, what do you think?” Matt prodded.
“About what?”
“Tori's offer? What are you going to say?”
Owen stopped pacing in front of Matt’s desk. His head a confusing mess of emotions. All of them began and ended with Ava.
“No, of course.” Owen stared at Matt like the answer was obvious.
“Why? It's not like you have any other offers,” Matt challenged him. He crossed his arms and leaned back further in his chair. “Unless you do.”
“I'm not dating anyone. I have Avery to think about,” Owen said. He did have Avery to worry about. Those worries seemed to melt away whenever he was in Ava's presence. The realization unsettled him.
“Right. Then say yes to Tori. Get on her good side and put this fixation of hers to bed. Not literally, unless, of course, you want to go there again. Wouldn't recommend it, though.”
Owen stayed silent, reflexively releasing his hair from its bun and retying it again.
“Does your hesitation have to do with whatever’s going on between you and Ava?” Matt smirked, his eyes alight at catching out Owen's secret.
Anxiety bloomed in Owen's chest like stinging nettles. His instinct to deflect kicked in. “Don’t know what you're talking about. I wasn't even sitting near her last night.”
Matt laughed. “A choice I'm sure was coincidental. The two of you studiously avoided each other after she came out of the cabin flushed and glassy-eyed. What the fuck is going on there?”
“Nothing. There's nothing going on there. We're being friendly while she's in town.” The lie burned coming out of his throat.
