Chasing Shadows (First Wives #3)(27)

“Nerves are good. Second thoughts, not so much.”

“Not a chance. I’m not letting Wade get away.”

“I didn’t think so. Just enjoy the whole thing. When you’re back from your honeymoon and need some air, we’ll book a girls’ trip to Paris. I could use some new shoes.”

“Speaking of shoes . . . who is Liam?”

Avery stopped her stretch. “What do shoes and Liam have in common?”

“Nothing, but I couldn’t think of a smoother way to ask about the guy in your life.”

“He’s not the guy in my life,” she said.

“Lori said she met him. That he’s a stalker and she’s worried about you.”

Avery gave up on her stretches, grabbed her phone off the floor, and moved to sit on her bed. “He’s not a stalker. I think I’d know it if he were. He’s just a guy I met. No big deal.”

Trina paused. “Just a guy?”

“Yeah. You know I collect them.”

“How’s the sex?”

“We haven’t gone there.”

“Whoa, back up the truck. You’re saying he is just a guy and no big deal. And you haven’t slept with him?”

Avery deserved that.

“I don’t sleep with every guy I’m attracted to.”

“Since when?”

“Jesus, Trina, I’m not a slut.”

“Calm down. I’m not calling you anything and you know it. But Avery Grant prides herself on her prowess. You telling me he is part of the collection and yet you haven’t gotten naked with him tells me he is more than a number.”

“Yet. I haven’t slept with him yet. I’m sure we’ll get there sooner rather than later.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Don’t analyze this, Trina. I don’t date. You know that.”

“Have you had dinner with him?”

“Once,” Avery admitted.

“That’s a date.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“Were you with a group of people or just the two of you?”

Trina was backing her into a verbal corner.

“There were other people there.”

“In the restaurant or at the table?”

Avery shook her head. “This is a ridiculous conversation.”

Trina wasn’t fooled. “I wanna meet him.”

“No.” Avery stood from the bed and started to pace the room.

“Bring him to the wedding.”

“Absolutely not. Your wedding is about you, not me flirting with a guy.” The conversation was making her angry.

There was silence on the line.

“You’re my best friend, Avery. You know that, right?”

She smiled through her annoyance. “Yes. I love you, too.”

“Remember when I was in Venice last year and you told me you were worried about me?”

“Yeah.” Trina had been in Italy, escaping the anniversary of her first husband’s death and trying to power through on her own.

“Well, it’s my turn to tell you I’m worried about you.”

“Why? I’m actually working and self-sufficient for the first time in my life. I’m more capable of taking care of myself now than ever before.” When you added the krav she’d been studying, it made her even more adept at dealing with whatever life threw at her.

“Because you’ve closed yourself off. You don’t laugh as much or joke as often. Now there is a guy who, from what Lori says, worked hard to get you to go out with him. Maybe he isn’t the one, but how will you know if you never give a guy a chance?”

Avery closed her eyes. “Can you accept the fact that you’re in a heightened state of I do and happily ever after and not everyone wants that in their life? I love you, Trina, but you’re wrong on this one. If my lack of joking or laughing is bothering you, then try and understand that I’m trying really hard to grow up here. I spent the first twenty-eight years of my life being a spoiled brat with crappy parents, the next three playing pretend wife and new divorcée with a shit ton of money. It’s only been since New York that I’m finding me . . . the real me. Admittedly, I’m picking up the pieces of my personal mess, but I’m doing it. And that doesn’t include me finding a man to break my stride. I’m finally doing well on my own and want to keep it that way.”

“Oh, Avery. I’m sorry.” Trina sounded teary.

“It’s okay. You’re excited and emotional and want everyone as happy as you are. Please know that I am. Just in a different way.”

“Okay . . . I’ll let it go. Please talk to me. Anytime.”

“I know you’re there, Trina. I have to get in the shower. I’m meeting a contractor at my new client’s house and want to be there on time.” Omitting Liam’s name wasn’t an accident.

“I miss you.”

Avery smiled. “I’ll see you in a few days.”





Chapter Twelve



Liam was fifteen minutes early. Wearing a pullover shirt that hugged his chest like a glove and denim that made Avery’s palms itch, he looked even better than the last time she saw him.

He walked through the open front door while Avery stood alongside Felicia, the art expert from a local auction house.