Fuck, I was bad at this. I was really bad at this. Why did I feel so nervous? Why were my hands so clammy? Why was I such an idiot around her?
“Good. I like her yoga classes. It’s nice to get moving so early in the mornings. I think without it, I’d turn into a shrimp.”
I raised a brow. “A shrimp?”
“Yeah. I’m always hunched over while painting.” Avery grinned. “What’s in your bag? You going out?”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” I said. “I’m just taking a walk. Not sure what else to do with my evening.”
“Bored of Whynot already?”
Her teasing did something to me. My stomach twisted into a thousand butterflies, the warmth rolling up my spine getting hotter. “Never. I love it here. I think I’ve missed it.”
Avery’s smile softened. “I guess I can see why. It does have a certain charm about it. I love painting landscapes around here, too.”
“Where’s your favorite spot?”
Her eyes lit up. “Are you gonna walk there?”
“Yeah,” I said, unable to stop myself from smiling back at her. “Seems like it would be a good way to spend my evening, unless I can’t get there.”
“You can,” she said. “I already know Mateo won’t mind, but behind his backyard there’s a spot where you can see the Davis Mountains in the distance. He’s just a couple blocks over, but there aren’t any houses close by, so it’s just a lovely view. If you’re wanting something more modern looking, I’d check out the hotel. The courtyard is really cute.”
“Austin did a good job on it,” I said.
“He did. Worth him breaking his finger on the fountain.”
I laughed. “He flipped me off while showing the break.”
“His favorite thing to do,” she laughed with me. “Want me to give you a ride anywhere? Since your car is still out next to the cactus.”
“I’m okay,” I said. “I’ll find my way. Are you going out for the evening?”
“I wish.” Her shoulders deflated slightly. “I have Sunday night dinner.”
The way she said that told me she didn’t want to go. “With who?”
“Dallas, Austin, and my mom. She’s just . . . We have a tough relationship.”
“I’m sorry,” I said gently. “I know how that can be.”
“It’s okay,” she dismissed. “Don’t suppose you want company for whatever it is you’re doing? I could text them and tell them you needed help with something.”
Every part of me screamedyes.Having Avery take a walk with me, while it might be the simplest thing in the world, would automatically brighten up my day. Plus, the photos I could take of her . . .
But, I didn’t need Austin realizing I definitely had a thing for his sister.
“It’s more of a solo thing,” I finally said.
“Oh. Got it.” Avery sighed and glanced up at the sky. “I gotta get going, Levi. I’ll see you this week? Maybe at my art class?”
“You really want me back after I lit your hair on fire?”
Avery’s laugh was everything I needed to hear. “I always want you. I mean, uh, I want you in class. Always.” Her cheeks were as red as mine were now. “Okay, um, I’m gonna disappear into nothing now. See you later.”
I want you back.The words were on the tip of my tongue but I watched in stunned silence as she darted across the street and climbed into her big truck.
She drove off and I shook my head, clearing the fog of stupor.
