Camera Shy (Lessons in Love, #1)(75)

“Ah, makes sense. I’m sure he didn’t want you missing school and such.”

“No. Nothing like that.” Finn grunts, his agitation apparent. “It’s just harder to cheat on your wife when she’s around, you know?”

“Shit.” My open palm finds my forehead, making a loud, echoing smack in the large master bathroom. “I didn’t mean to bring up—”

“Oh, hey,” Finn says, “it’s fine. It’s old news. I told you, the stuff with my dad…it’s complicated.”

I pat my body underneath the towel, soaking up the water droplets. “How so?”

“Because he’s such a dick to my mom, but if you take all that bullshit out, he’s a pretty great dad. It’s confusing. I hate him strictly for how he treated my mom, but I feel guilty about it because he’s always been good to me. I normally can dodge his calls just fine, but I have to see him when he’s in town. It keeps the peace, I suppose.”

Reaching up, I smooth the worry lines on Finn’s forehead. His brows are cinched in dismay. “Do you have to see him often?”

“Nah, not really. A few times a year. He’s actually in town next month. We’re having dinner. Want to come with me and be my decoy?” He lets out what sounds like a nervous chuckle. I half expect him to add, just kidding. This is a layer of Finn I haven’t seen before. He looks a little vulnerable.

I smile at him like the world’s biggest smart-ass. “Ask me.”

“What?”

“If you want me to go, I will. Just ask me for what you want. Don’t be shy.” I wink at him.

“And the student becomes the teacher,” Finn says. He taps his fingers together in a sarcastic golf clap. “Fine. Avery, will you please go to dinner with me when I have to meet my dad? I could use a friend to get me through it.”

I rise to my tiptoes, but I’m still not tall enough to kiss his cheek. I reach around the back of his neck and pull him a little closer. “I’d be happy to,” I say into his ear before I press my lips against his smooth cheek.

“Thank you.”

I snuggle into my towel and smile at Finn, right before I shoo him away. “It’s a date. But now, I need to sleep off all our shenanigans from this evening.” Perfectly timed, a large yawn overcomes me. “And I know you must be wrecked as well.”

I can almost see the words on his lips. I swear if he asked, I’d say yes tonight. I’m so happy. I could pretend for just one evening that I could keep this man to myself forever. Say it, Finn. Ask me if you can stay over.

He settles for a lingering kiss on my forehead, then follows up with a quick peck on my lips. “Get in bed. Get cozy, Queen. I’ll lock up behind me. See you soon.”

Finn waves over his shoulder as he exits the bathroom. I dry myself off and make my way into the bedroom where I’ve finally taken advantage of some of the drawers Dex cleared out for me. After weeks of staying here, I no longer live out of a suitcase.

I pull on a pair of my most comfortable black cotton panties. Omitting a bra, I yank on a thin tank top in a hurry as it hits me. This evening shouldn’t end like this. Stay with me… Hold me… We’re already in way over our heads. Let’s just dive in. I fly down the stairs, thudding loudly as I sprint like I’m headed to an emergency. But it took too long for me to come to my damn good senses.

It’s too late. He’s already gone. I debate calling, but my descent down the stairs was enough time to remind myself that Finn deserves a friend who stays true to her word. I asked him for a favor. My intention was not to trap him. If I asked him to stay, he would, out of guilt…maybe pity. Either way, for some reason, I have a hold over him and I don’t think it has anything to do with infatuation. I think he feels bad for me. A lesser woman would exploit that.

I am not a lesser woman.

I stand alone in the living room, feeling deflated, watching Cherry glide across the dimly lit tank. I’m sure she thinks it’s moonlight. It’s all synthetic, sweetheart. Just a ruse your daddy created, who is off swimming with fish in the real ocean. She’s moving so slowly, it’s strange. How quickly do fish age? Taking a step closer, I peer into the tank, following her slow, languid movements. It startles me when she pauses in place, seemingly motionless, except for her fins barely waving to keep her afloat. Odd. I swear if my fish friend is belly up tomorrow, I’m going to lose my shit.

“Hang in there, girl. I’ll call the aquarium guy tomorrow.” Maybe their pH is off. That would be my luck. I offer to take care of Dex’s fish and I end up murdering them all by neglect as I’m living out my dirtiest fantasies all over Dex’s home. He told me to make myself comfortable, but by comfortable he probably did not mean naked on his couch with my legs hooked over Finn’s shoulders.

Damn. I cringe to myself. That does not come off well. I wonder how he’d take it if he knew what Finn and I were up to. It might be the first time a client has ever fired me. And hell, Dex would be justified in doing so.





22


Avery





All my instincts are telling me Mason’s dodgy, lazy behavior is going to cost us the Legacy Resorts contract. I’m not sure why he’s so distracted. It’s a simple request. I need the numbers so I can get to work. We’re pitching in less than two months, and this is the most significant contract we’ve ever chased. So, after weeks of no reports, I take matters into my own hands.