Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 68247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
He felt a pinch and looked down to see Avery’s nails curling into his arm. “You’re worth everything,” she whispered.
He shook his head, unable to let himself believe her words. Maybe one day, when he’d made things right at home, he’d appreciate what she was saying. “I didn’t treat my mom or Ricardo any better than my father treated me. I didn’t realize it until . . .”
“Go on. Say it. Whatever it is, get it out.” At some point, she’d come up beside him, her soft body curled into his, as if she knew he needed her close.
He blew out a breath, dizzy with the words bouncing around his brain. “I never understood her second marriage or their happiness at just being together until I had everything . . . and realized I was still empty inside.” That was the point when he’d decided he needed to walk away from that life and come back, find the person he used to be. Find Avery.
“Oh, Grey.”
He shook his head hard. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I don’t deserve it. I’m more ashamed of how I felt about them than I ever was of them.”
She stepped in front of him and clasped his face in her hands. “That’s why you’re such a good man. You aren’t your father. You learn from your mistakes. So you were young and stupid.” She shrugged. “Your mother loves you. Not only will she understand, she’ll be so happy to see you she won’t even think about the past.”
But he would. He’d remember the real estate listings he’d sent them for mansions that required servants, not understanding when they’d turned him down. He wanted them to have anything he could afford. He hadn’t begun to comprehend at the time that money couldn’t buy happiness or fulfillment. Now he knew differently.
Now he had to face them again. And he didn’t want to do it alone. “I know I shouldn’t ask, but will you go with me to visit them? After your meeting.”
“Of course I will,” she said, her eyes suspiciously damp.
“Thank you.”
She smiled. “Now can we get dressed so I can eat my muffin?”
He was ready for a mood lightener. “Not unless I can eat your muffin first.” He squeezed her ass in his hand.
She squealed and turned, taking off for the bedroom. He followed . . . and it was a long while before they made it downstairs to the bakery.
He drove her home, and she kissed him good-bye and ran into her building, last night’s clothes balled in her hand, his T-shirt and a pair of old running shorts on her sexy body.
* * *
Avery made it home from Grey’s, waved to Ella, and rushed to shower and get ready for their appointment at the hospital. She was running late, which left no time for conversation about Avery’s love life on the way to the hospital. Instead they prepped for the meeting.
By the time they had survived the pitch and discussion with the ever-so-pleasant Dr. McCann, Avery was exhausted. And being woken up by Grey’s tongue and other body parts last night was only part of the reason. She was sore in places she hadn’t known existed, and muscles she’d rarely used felt a sweet ache that reminded her of Grey. She’d done her best to keep her mind on task and any goofy smile off her face during the meeting. She’d have plenty of time to revisit things later and sort out her overwhelming feelings.
By the time she walked out of their meeting with Dr. McCann, she was glad she’d scheduled the meeting before Ella’s upcoming business trip, so she could have her friend there with her, pushing the cause. Ella often volunteered too, both of them having a unique perspective and understanding of both the patients and their situations. The prom was a dream they shared, and both were determined to make something special happen for these children.
Dr. McCann had been his usual dour self, but he was impressed with the idea. Avery waited until they rounded a corner, made certain they were alone, and turned to her friend.
“Well? What’s your take?”
Ella leaned against the nearest wall and groaned. “I’m cautiously optimistic. I just got the feeling that he didn’t think we could pull this off with no budget. Easier to put the load on us than to just say no,” she muttered.
Avery nodded. “That’s his MO. But we are going to show him what happens when he challenges two determined women. At least he said we can hold the event at the hospital. I’d have been willing to ask my father for a ballroom at his hotel, but then the most critically ill kids would have missed out.” And those were the kids whose smiles she wanted to see the most. “And this way, nobody has to leave the premises. They’ll have medical staff and equipment surrounding them should they need it.”