Page 35 of Close to Heaven

“Right. Yes. Sorry again for barging in. It won’t happen again.”

“You don’t have to keep apologizing, Avery.”

“Okay, but can I ask you a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Can we please keep this to ourselves?” She motioned back and forth between them.

He wondered who she was worried about finding out: Dakota, Trevor, or both.

“It’ll be our secret.”

She heaved a sigh. “Good, because I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea, especially Dakota.”

That answered his question, although he found it odd that she wasn’t more concerned about Trevor. “Why? Did she say something to you?”

Avery shifted uncomfortably. “She acted a little funny yesterday after she found us in your office.”

Suddenly he felt uncomfortable too. He lifted his arm to scratch the back of his neck, and her gaze followed. He’d seen that look before. She was reacting to him the way a woman reacted to a man she wanted, or at least found attractive. This situation was getting dicier by the minute.

“What did you tell her?”

“Just that I was dumping my problems on you and you were kind enough to listen.”

Kind? “Hmm.”

“I didn’t tell her about the other part.”

“What other part?”

“You know—the hugging.”

“We shouldn’t have done that.”

“I know.” She looked down at the floor.

It was silent for a moment, except for the ticking of the mantel clock.

“Jax…”

“Avery…”

They’d spoken at the same time, and he motioned for her to go first.

“I’m breaking up with Trevor.”

His eyes went wide, and his heart rate sped up. “You are?” He wasn’t sure why he was so surprised. The guy seemed like an absolute douchebag. However, he’d also served as a buffer between them. Without him in the picture…

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and last night, I made up my mind.”

“Are you sure? Maybe you can still work things out.” What in the hell am I saying?

She slowly shook her head. “I don’t think so. Trevor has always put me last, even before I moved back here. It didn’t really sink in until last night.”

Under different circumstances, Jax might have been elated by the news that Avery would soon be available. However, that didn’t erase the other obstacles in their way. She looked like she might have been thinking the same thing, and then she confirmed it.

“I’m not sure why I’m telling you this, but I guess I just wanted you to know.”

He took a deep breath. “Okay, then.” He wasn’t sure what else to say that would sound appropriate.

“Anyway, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I hope you enjoy the breakfast.”

“I will. Thank you.”

She turned to leave, but when her hand was on the doorknob, he stopped her.

“Avery?”

She turned, with something akin to hopefulness in her expression. “Yeah?”

“I don’t know the guy, but for what it’s worth, I think you deserve better.”

She smiled at him, bent down, and gave Smoky a hug, and then she left without another word.