Page 22 of Memories By the Shore
It takes less than a single second for my eyes to meet hers—those gorgeous hazel-green sparklers. I feel a smirk pull at the corners of my mouth as soon as I notice her annoyance. “I almost didn’t recognize you with your clothes on.”
“I’m surprised you own more than board shorts and a shellnecklace,” she quips.
I slide my hands into the pockets of my jeans. “That’s not the only surprise I can give you, Arizona.”
“Alright, Jasper,” she says, crossing her arms at her chest. “You know what I’m here for.” Avery is still feisty. I’m not surprised at how much joy it still brings me to piss her off.
“Nice to see you too,wife.” I walk around my desk until I’m in front of her. She’s wearing a light blue sundress that hugs every curve—the same curves I’ve had my hands and mouth all over.
Damn, she looks good. I bet she still tastes the same.
Avery backs away, placing a hand on her hip. “I’m not here to play.”
“I think I can change your mind.” I smile widely, showing my teeth.
“Seriously?”
I lean against the desk with my legs crossed at my ankles, trying to seem casual and unbothered, even though my insides jump excitedly. “You want a divorcenow?”
Her eyes dart away, then back to me. “Yes.”
“I have an extremely busy week ahead of me.”
Avery’s hand flies up in front of us. “You’re making excuses.”
“You can’t just come back into my life after nothing for years and expect me to drop what I’m doing to give you what you want.”
“It’s not what you want too?” A flippant response, which concerns me if she really is serious. “Don’t you want to move on with your life? I’m sure you have a girlfriend—or many you’d like to put a ring on.”
“Jealous?”
“Of course, that’s what you’d say.”
“How about this?” I attempt to harden my expression to seem more serious, even though I know she can see through it. “We’ll discuss it after this week is over. I have the Coconut Days event happening.” I pause to wave at Gail through the glass in the doors. “Let’s have my assistant check my schedule.”
Avery’s mouth drops. “What?”
Gail slips through the door behind Avery. “Yes, Jasper?”
“Can you check my schedule for the beginning of next week, to see if I’m open for an hour-long meeting with Mrs. Collins?”
Gail smiles but is unsure of what’s going on. “Sure.”
Glancing back at Avery, I make sure she sees the smug expression on my face.
Her lips are set in a hard line, and her arms are crossed tight at her chest. “Dammit, Jasper. Why do you have to make everything so difficult?”
“That’s what I do.”
“I flew all the way out here to close this chapter and now you’re brushing me off?”
Pushing away from the desk, I return to my chair. “You didn’t have to fly out here. These things can be done electronically now.”
“I have tried to contact you!”
“When?” I bite back. She did it once, about a year after she left. I wasn’t ready to give up, so I ripped the papers and threw them into the trash.
She rolls her eyes. “You know when.”
