Page 52 of Make You Love Me
“You should respond.”
“Why?” I ask, meeting her watchful gaze.
“Because she wouldn’t be faking it with you if she didn’t care.”
“Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?”
“Yes. But hear me out.” She interprets my long, audible exhale as consent. “She could have easily told Josie to deal with you herself. Instead…” Her voice projects slightly louder when Iscoff. “Instead, she drops everything to be by your side. There’s no way that was a simple decision for her.”
“Avery, she fucked me like I meant something to her.”
“Maybe you do. Have you considered that?”
A young couple walking by the window catches my attention, and I ponder that new idea. I can’t get far enough past my shock to consider it a real contender. There are too many hurtful actions and words left unsaid, poking holes in the theory.
My gaze follows the happy couple until they pass a group of people entering a store. Next to the store, a woman with long brown hair sits on a bench. She’s staring at her phone, her legs crossed and bouncing nervously. She drops the device onto the wooden seat with frustration and glances across the street, her arms folding over her chest.
“Shit.”
“What?” Avery leans on the empty chair next to her to look out at the city beyond the restaurant. “Is that…”
“Nora.”
“You should be there, talking with her. Not me.”
“But I’m enjoying your company, and you’re the only one who hasn’t screwed me.”
“Not yet.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Your magical dick has me intrigued.”
“Shut up. That’s not what I meant, and I know you’re taken.”
She puffs. “How do you know that? I haven’t mentioned dating anyone.”
“You flirt differently than I remember witnessing with others. Innocent, in a way.”
“Maybe you just don’t do it for me.”
A dismissive snicker escapes my throat. “Right. I believed you when you said my competence intrigued you, but not enough to believe you’d go for it if offered.”
“You think you’re so smart.”
“And right.” My attention drifts back to Nora outside. The woman I love. The woman who ripped out my heart and stomped on it at least twice. Who knows how many more there are that I don’t remember?
“You should go to her or let me bring her to you,” Avery suggests.
“No. She should have to suffer a little while longer.” I take a swig of beer. “Plus, I’m not ready to hear her excuses yet.”
“Suit yourself.” She picks up her massive burger with two hands and takes a bite, moaning as she chews. “Oh, my god, this is so delicious.”
“Yeah?” Her tongue swipes the juice and sauce from her lips, and my mouth waters. Not from the sensual motion and sounds she’s making while she enjoys the flavors, but because I’m hungry again. Picking up the large slippery sandwich with one hand isn’t as easy as it sounded when I ordered. “Is there anything I can do to entice you to cut mine so I can join you?”
Incredulous, she stops chewing and stares at me for a bit. “That’s Nora’s job,” she says with a full mouth. “I’m just the chauffeur slash commiserating buddy.”
“Come on. I’ll starve.”
She bats her lashes at me, seemingly unconcerned with my plight, then drops her burger on the plate with a sigh.
“Apparently, sexy blue eyes are my weakness. Pass it over.”
