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)
“That’s so sweet.” But no surprise to Avery. Ella was a good person. “And don’t forget, I have to give you the dates for everything. I need you there.”
Avery met Ella’s gaze. She’d hated booking things without her friend there, but Dr. McCann was leaving on vacation tomorrow. It had to be done today.
Ella waved a tanned hand through the air. “I’ll make it work. My boss is flying high after this successful assignment. It’ll be fine.”
They walked to the carousel and waited for Ella’s luggage. “Your bodyguard is hot,” Ella whispered.
“Are you interested?” Avery asked, thrilled her friend seemed to be actively looking at a man, not keeping her feelings hidden as usual.
“No,” Ella said too quickly.
Avery blew out a frustrated breath. She was tired of the evasion and lies. “Who is he?” Avery asked her friend. “Who’s got you tied up in knots, and why are you hiding things from me?”
Ella grasped Avery’s shoulders and met her gaze. “Maybe one day I’ll be able to talk about it,” she said. She looked over her shoulders and scanned the metal carousel. “Oh, look! My duffel.” She pointed to a black bag with a huge pink bow.
A lucky diversion this time.
Rick rolled his eyes at the huge decoration that marked the bag before plucking the luggage off and gesturing for the women to walk beside him. They followed him toward the car, and both did their best not to laugh as the big, strong man wheeled the bag with the tacky pink ribbon on the handle, mumbling about the indignities of the job as he walked and kept an eye on everything around them at all times.
The next stop was their apartment, so Ella could pack clothes for moving into Grey’s. On the ride, Ella went on about her trip to Turks and Caicos and the photo shoot, the crazy photographer, and the models. Avery loved her stories, and even Rick seemed mildly amused.
Until they pulled into the parking lot and exited the car, only to run into Avery and Ella’s neighbors.
“Hi, Gary,” Ella said.
Avery smiled at the man.
Rick tried to keep them moving indoors, but Gary liked to talk. He always had. He was prematurely bald—not bad-looking, just not Avery’s type. He was in his thirties and lived with his girlfriend in the apartment next door, and they’d always been nice, good neighbors.
“I’m sorry to hear the papers are dredging up the past,” he said, looking at Avery.
“What?”
Even Rick tuned in now, stepping in closer.
“What do you mean?” Ella asked.
Gary’s cheeks burned red. “I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
Avery believed him. Gary wasn’t a gossip. He was a solid neighbor and decent man. “Tell me what you know,” she said.
“This morning’s paper. They’re rehashing your father’s dirty laundry. The second-family story.” He glanced away, unable to meet Avery’s gaze.
Since that story was old news, Avery just knew there was more. “Gary, please. I’d rather hear it from you than some stranger.”
“Come on, hon. Maybe we should go upstairs and let me pull it up on my laptop,” Ella said.
“That’s a good idea.” This from the usually silent Rick.
“No. I’d rather get it over with. What are they saying?”
Gary sighed, obviously resigned. “Stupid, mean things, Avery. Uncalled for and untrue, I’m sure. Things about your father using you to save the daughter he loved more.” Gary forced a laugh. “See? Ridiculous.”
Not so much, Avery thought. Lights flickered behind her eyes, and she suddenly couldn’t breathe well. Anxiety. She drew in deep breaths.
“I mean, anyone who knows you knows how amazing you are. Same with Olivia and your brothers. Of course your father loves you all.” He was rambling now.
“Thank you, Gary. We’ll read the rest ourselves,” Ella said, grabbing Avery’s hand and pulling her along.
Avery couldn’t believe her father’s past was coming back to haunt her again. But it was her father’s past, she reminded herself. Not anything she’d done. She’d survived the gossip, the talk, the speculation then, and she’d survive it a second time.
They reached the apartment. Rick deposited Ella’s suitcase inside and locked the door behind them. “Pack now. I’m getting you ladies out of here,” he said.
“No. I want your laptop,” she said to Ella.
Rick shot Ella a warning look, but Ella was Avery’s best friend. She pulled her computer from her bag. “I think it would be smarter to ignore it.”
“And not know what I’m in for the next time a reporter ambushes me? No.” Avery settled into a chair in the living room and began tapping on the keys.
She found an article with today’s date immediately.
Kingston’s Girl Holds On with Iron Grip. She read the headline and winced.
She felt Ella looking over her shoulder. Drawing strength from her friend, Avery read on. After a rehash of Avery’s sad past, her father’s betrayal of his wife and kids, and the existence of another life and family, the article went on to say that Avery had visited Grey at his Miami concert in the hopes of rekindling their high school romance. Grey had a weak spot for Avery and always had, according to a source who’d asked not to be named.