“Oh, Avery…” Mel is awkward for a second, like she’s thinking about hugging me, but then kicks the door open. “Fuck this. He needs his face rearranged.” Before I can stop her, Mel is walking way too fast down the sidewalk.
My eyes go wide and I freeze in place. Before I think, I jump out of the car and race after her. We’re in front of a beautiful colonial, two story, home with huge grass plants in the front flowerbeds. As soon as I catch up to Mel, I launch myself at her and we fall into the plants.
“Don’t,” I beg her, voice shaking as I roll off of her and onto my back.
“Avery,” she pushes herself into a sitting position. Blades of grass are stuck in her hair. “He’s a douchebag. Telling him so will make—”
“Will make me feel worse. You can’t go over there. He has a life with someone else.”
“No, I don’t.” Sean’s voice booms behind me. When I look up, he’s standing there with the woman two steps behind him, looking irritated beyond belief. Sean is wearing his dark jeans and a tight fitting sweater that makes me want to run my hands over his toned chest. A dusting of stubble lines his cheeks and that dark hair is messy, like he just had sex. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.” Mel and I stand and brush ourselves off.
“Did you change your mind?” he asks, and, for a second, Sean looks hopeful.
My eyes glance between him and Mel, and then back to Sean. “Nooo.” What? Why does he think that? Confused, I ask, “I thought you missed me?”
Sean looks at the woman standing behind him. “Please, excuse us for a moment.” Then he looks at Mel and adds, “Don’t rob her while my back is turned.”
“Fuck you, Ferro.” Mel is tense, ready to fight.
Sean ignores Mel and takes me by my shoulders, trying to pull me away from the group, but I dig my heels in. I’m so confused and mad. How could he do those things with me last night and be like this today? It makes me feel used, so I second guess myself. The thing is, I’m totally sick of doubting everything I do and I won’t be handled with kid gloves this time. Screw it.
I muster up a civil tone and manage, “No, say whatever you have to say right here, right now. I’m not doing this with you. You can’t say you miss me at night and blow me off during the day.”
“Avery, I admit that I’m pleased to see you—a little surprised—but glad all the same. However, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He slips his hands into his pockets as a breeze rustles through his hair.
Folding my arms across my chest, I feel the anger about to burst out of my mouth like a geyser. “Of course not. Of course you’d do this. So who is she?” I flip my hand toward the woman watching me like I’m crazy. I probably look insane. I tackled Mel into a plant before Sean walked over. I’m wearing jeans and a ratty sweater with pieces of grass stuck in my hair.
The corners of Sean’s lips twitch, as if he wants to smile. “Are you jealous, Miss Smith?”
“Don’t call me that, and don’t change the subject. Who is she?”
The woman steps forward with a wrinkle at the dead center of her eyebrows. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m Mr. Ferro’s assistant for the Granz Project.”
“For what now?” Mel barks, folding her arms over her chest. Seriously, Mel and I look like vagrants. All we need is an old shopping cart and a bottle of booze.
“This house. Mr. Ferro is restoring this old home and I’m the person in charge.” Her big brown eyes blink at me and then Mel. When no one says anything, she adds, “I’m his employee.” A nervous smile flitters across her mouth and then disappears.
Sean continues to stare at me while his business buddy speaks.
Mel clarifies, “So there’s no nothing going on between the two of you? You’re not his wife, hidden in the suburbs or something?”
The woman’s eyes go wide and she takes a step back as her hand covers her heart. “Oh God, no!”
“Yeah, but you seem kinda cozy—”
The woman looks mortified. “I’m a family friend. Sean and I were children together. He gave me this job and that’s it. I’m not his wife! I don’t even like him.” She glances at Sean. “Well, not like that. It’d be like dating my brother.” She makes a face and laughs. “Sorry, but that’s gross.” She pats Sean’s shoulder and walks back to the construction in front of the little house.
Sean watches me the entire time, never looking away. Those blue eyes pin me in place, stealing my breath away. Mel slaps me in the back. “Well, then…”