Love on Beach Avenue(58)

Avery Sunshine was his.

He came out, cutting a glare at Gabe. “What do you need? My credit card?”

The man stared at him for a long time. Then a delighted grin transformed his face. “Damn, you got it bad.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked rudely, barely keeping his shit together.

Gabe threw his head back and laughed. “Come on, dude. It’s close enough to noon now. I’m buying you a beer.”

“Why would I get a beer with you?”

He slapped Carter’s upper arm in a gesture of camaraderie. “Because I’m gonna tell you everything you want to know about Avery and how to dazzle her. We’re just friends, man. She’s not the one for me.” His handsome features shadowed. “I was talking about someone else. A woman who doesn’t even see me as a man, let alone as a future husband.”

The realization dawned. Gabe wasn’t after Avery at all. He frowned. “Why’d you try to hook me up with that butt-ugly tux?”

Gabe shrugged. “Wanted to see if you were worthy of her. Too many guys aren’t strong enough to have their own opinion. They want to please people who don’t even matter, like buying a crappy suit because some guy tells you it’s cool. Avery wouldn’t put up with that. Make sense?”

Slowly, Carter nodded. “Yeah. That’s fucked-up, but it does make sense. I think you do owe me a beer.”

Gabe laughed and they headed out.



Wednesday night, Avery arrived at the rental beach house and took a deep breath. It had been a long time since she’d had a date, let alone had a man cook dinner for her. She’d reminded herself all day it wasn’t a big deal, but the flip-flop of her tummy told her the opposite. Tonight, she’d spend time with Carter by choice, stripped of her previous excuses and denials he was just an annoying ManOH.

Vulnerability hit. She hated being unsure, but she wasn’t about to run away now. Like Taylor and Bella had told her, they needed some time together to see if there was anything between them other than surface attraction.

The porch held two rocking chairs and a wide blue-checkered awning for shade. He’d picked a rental ten blocks from the beach, so the road was a bit quieter and more residential. After a few more moments of psyching herself up, she knocked.

He opened the door, and his pleased smile made her relax. “I’m glad you made it,” he said, ushering her in.

The small cottage was decorated in the usual beachy theme, with lots of bright-white paint, bleached gray floors, and various knickknacks that livened up the rooms. There were wooden signs that screamed “I’D RATHER BE AT THE BEACH,” wicker baskets full of books and magazines, and comfortable furniture in yellow and blue that gave the place a true vacation feel.

“Cute place,” she said.

Lucy trailed in Carter’s wake, tail wagging frantically, and damned if the dog didn’t jerk back in surprise when she saw who’d entered her master’s home. Avery took in her displeased gaze, the tiny nose in the air sniffing with distaste.

The tail fell still.

Great. She had a possessive canine to deal with along with her own confused emotions. Better to make friends than enemies, right?

She placed her laptop bag down and knelt, putting out her hand in a gesture of goodwill. “Hi, Lucy. How are you, girl?”

The Yorkie took a step forward. Her nose twitched. Her pink bow flopped to the side of her head.

Hope surged.

Then the dog backed up, stuck her ass in the air, and walked away.

Carter frowned. “Lucy, that wasn’t nice. Honestly, I don’t know why she’s so cold to you. Are you sure you like dogs? She’s very sensitive to emotion.”

Avery stood up, practically snapping in defense. “I told you—I love dogs! She thinks I’m competition for your attention.”

He waved a hand in the air and laughed. “That’s ridiculous. Lucy knows I’d never choose anyone over her.”

She choked out a gasp. “Gee, thanks.”

He must’ve realized what he’d said, and shook his head. “Sorry, that came out all wrong. I just meant I made a commitment to her, and I take that seriously. I’m not one to give up on someone I love for anything.”

Heat surged through her at the simplicity of his statement. This was a man who had no problem with love. How had she missed such tenderness and ferocity behind his cool, distant surface? How had she been so very wrong about him?

Having no clue he’d just blown up her world, he faced her with a smile. “Do you want a glass of wine? I can delay dinner if you want to work first.”

“Thanks, white, please. I actually got a lot accomplished today, but I need a good half an hour to clean up some tasks for this weekend.”

“Of course. You can work at the table over there while I finish cooking. I’ll bring your wine over.”

Uneasiness flowed. Some hot date. Work seemed to cram up every moment of her life. She couldn’t even enjoy a nice dinner during wedding season. Why would he want her here if she couldn’t focus her attention? She bit her lip, suddenly questioning this whole ridiculous idea. “I’m really sorry. I’m sure this isn’t your idea of a fun date—you cook while I work. Are you sure you want me here?”

He regarded her from across the high granite countertop, hands on hips. Those gorgeous dusky blue-gray eyes sparked. “Actually, this will be one of the nicest dates for me. I’m a homebody, and I enjoy cooking. I understand your workload, Avery. I respect the hell out of a business owner who does what she needs to do to be successful, and you never have to apologize for that. Not with me.”