Page 71 of Memories By the Shore
“I understand.” I turn to the beautiful brunette at my side. “This is my friend, Avery. She’s visiting from Arizona.”
Lyle’s wife, Janet, pops up from one of the tree stump stools and rushes over. “You’re beautiful, honey. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Great to meet you both.” Avery smiles warmly.
“So, you’refriendswith our beloved young mayor?” Her voice is a tad higher this time.
Avery chews on the corner of her cheek. “I am.”
Sensing the uncomfortable tension between the four of us, more specifically between my long-lost wife, I say the first thing that comes to mind. “Anyone want a drink?”
Lyle’s hand comes out in front of us. “Let me get it. Avery, what can I grab for you?”
“It’s a beer garden, but Tommy is back in the bar, and he can make you anything you want.” Janet blows a corkscrew piece of hair away from her face before twisting it behind her.
Avery’s nose scrunches. “Can he make an old-fashioned?”
Lyle’s pupils dilate. “Yes, ma’am. I love a good whiskey drinker.”
Janet turns to me. “Anything for you?”
I shake my head. “No, thank you. Maybe later.”
“No old-fashioned?”
My hand finds her lower back once again, but this time, I don’t pull it away. “I’m not comfortable drinking at events I’m supposed to be representing the town. I may have a glass of wine or two at some, but I typically try to refrain from it.”
“I respect that.”
A minute later, Lyle returns with Avery’s old-fashioned. We say a quick goodbye, then head over to check out the stage again before the event officially starts.
She holds the cup to her lips and takes a drink. “Feels so good.”
“What does?”
“The warmth, sliding down the back of my throat.” She closes her eyes, savoring the taste.Fuck. I’m a dirty bastard.I’d like to believe I have control over where my mind goes next, but I don’t.
“I have something warm and smooth for your throat,” I say. I know Avery, and even years later, I’m sure it will make her blush.
“Oh my god, Jasper!” she bellows, playfully hitting my shoulder. I laugh but make a mental note of how red her cheeks turned.
“You opened yourself up for that one,” I retort.
“I guess I did.”
Avery joins me as I check in with the remaining portions of the event. I spend the next hour leading her through every vendor to try the foods and beverages. She insisted on sampling everything. The little giggles she lets out when she tries something she likes and the adorable wrinkle of her nose, squeezes my chest. Avery is still my same girl in so many ways, but also very different. All the qualities about her that I loved so much became brighter. Watching her move, I’m completely captivated.
About ten minutes before opening, I drop her off at Easton’s booth and then make my way over to the entrance, where the Chamber of Commerce board members gather to greet people as they arrive. I hang around for a short time before I get anxious to see Avery again. But she’s not going anywhere, especially because I left her with Easton and he’s probably talking her ear off.
“Hi, Jasper.”
I’m saying hello to one of the staff members’ sons when I’m startled to hear Melanie’s voice. Before standing, I crane my neck behind me to see her standing there. I’ve been so caught up in Avery the last couple of days, I forgot that Melanie would be here tonight. She and I are just a casual thing, I’m sure it won’t be awkward.Why would it?Avery is engaged, although she has yetto tell me formally.
I extend my arm for a friendly side hug. “Hi, Melanie. How are you?”
A puzzled look on her face tells me she can pick up that I’m more withdrawn than usual. She told me once she thought I’d be like my dad, growing old alone and never settling down with a woman. The truth is, there was ever only one I wanted to be with, but at the time, she wasn’t in my life anymore.
But Avery is here now.
