Trouble (Dogwood Lane #3)(34)

Matt howls with laughter, but Avery doesn’t. A grin tickles her lips as her cheeks turn a shade of pink I’d call Bashful.

My body lights up at her reaction. I can feel her blush in my veins, the heat of it blazing from my head to my toes.

Damn this girl.

“Good thing I’m unimpressed with charm and abs then,” she says.

“But you still like cock, huh?” I crack. “Good to know.”

She moves as if her body can’t bear to stand in place. It’s as if she has as much energy coursing through her as I do.

My chest rises and falls at a quickened pace as I hold my breath and wonder if she’s going to do what I think she is: talk about cock. If she does, heaven help me, I may lose it right here.

“I do like cock,” she says, watching me closely. “I’m just tired of mediocre cock.”

I’m dead.

My hands ball into fists at my side as I restrain myself from reacting to the influx of testosterone flooding me—from the idea of her and my cock and . . . I can’t.

I press a hard swallow down my throat. “May I remind you that I’m a solid eight inches?”

“May I remind you that it doesn’t impress me?”

If this were anyone else, I’d toss her a smart-ass line and walk away because I’d know she’d chase after me. But Avery? She might not. I’m fairly sure she wouldn’t, actually. Worst of all is that I’d want her to.

I narrow my eyes. “Fair enough. What impresses you, then?”

Matt stays quiet. There’s undoubtedly a remark on the tip of his tongue. I can tell by the way he shifts his weight. I’m usually out the door if a woman gives me this much trouble, and I know Matt is eating it up that I’m still standing here and sparring with her. I’m just glad he keeps his mouth shut this time.

Avery considers my question. She nibbles on the end of her nail as the wheels turn in her pretty little head. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, she drops her hand.

“Sustainability,” she says. “That’s what’s impressive.”

“How very green of you,” I say.

She sighs. “I mean it in terms of a relationship. It’s easy to have nice abs or to tell a woman what they want to hear. It’s harder to want to create a connection with someone that’s mutually beneficial. To build something sustainable. That desire? It would impress me.”

Gross.

“Well, you haven’t seen my abs or cock, so I have faith either would work,” I say.

Matt snorts. Avery’s lips part to reply when she’s silenced by the walking hurricane that is Meredith Kelly.

“Okay, guys,” Meredith calls out as she prances into the room. “Let’s go ahead and get this ball rolling. I’m trying to figure out how we can incorporate a pet rescue into this whole dynamic because wouldn’t that be amazing? Children helping displaced animals feel loved, and animals helping children cope with the trials of life in this day and age? Apparently, that’s a bit of a permit and insurance issue.”

I turn to Matt. “It’s gonna take a lot of vodka for me to cope with this circus.”

Meredith stops and places her dog on the floor. She runs a hand down its back before it skedaddles across the room, yelping at a moth.

“Where was I?” She pauses when she sees Avery. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you come in.”

“I’m Avery Perry. Harper sent me over about a painting job.”

“Yes,” Meredith almost squeals. “I have so many ideas that I can’t wait to get your opinion on.”

Avery pulls out her phone and taps on the screen. “I have some examples of my work, if you’d like to see.”

“Oh, I trust Harper’s judgment.”

“Well, that’s great and all, but Harper has only seen me cut hair. She’s never seen my painting projects.”

Meredith squints as she considers this. Matt and I look at one another. I wonder if I should say something and vouch for Avery just to keep her around when Meredith smacks her lips together.

“I just have a good feeling about you,” she says. “I’m not usually wrong about people. So if you want the job, you’re hired.”

“Just like that?” Avery asks. She gives me a bewildered look before turning back to Meredith. “I mean, absolutely, and thank you, but I won’t be offended if you want to get some references or something.”

Meredith gazes around the room with a dreamy look in her eye. Her dress flutters in the breeze coming in through the open front door. The perfume she used to spray on our work orders floats on the air, and I wonder if I should give Avery some kind of warning about what she’s getting into here. Then I think better of it.

If I warn her, she might take off. If I don’t, she’ll be stuck here with me.

Easiest decision I’ve ever made.

“I like to surround myself with good people,” Meredith says finally. “That’s more important to me than anything. When I get a vision, it becomes a part of my heart, and I want people I love and enjoy helping me bring my dreams into reality.” She smiles at Avery. “I like you. You have a yellow aura.”

“She has a what?” I ask.

“An aura,” Meredith says with a laugh. “She has a yellow energy that surrounds her.”