Her eyes met mine as she smiled. “That would be nice. I’ve made a point to visit a new place each weekend.”
I hoped that meant she’d consider inviting us next time.
“Uncle Griff, I want to work on the plane.”
“That’s my cue. We’d better get going.” I winked at her before unlocking our bikes.
“It was nice to meet you, Declan. I can’t wait to see your plane when it’s done.” Her cheeks turned pink as if she hadn’t meant to add that last part.
Declan smiled. “It’s going to be awesome. You’ll see.”
I loved when Declan smiled easily. When Julian first died, it was rare to see him smile at all, later it was forced. Maybe it would be a good excuse to invite her over. “We’ll have you over for dinner to show it off when we’re done.”
Her brow raised. “Yeah, okay, that sounds good.”
“Bye, Avery. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”
“You too.” She waved at Declan before turning and walking in the opposite direction of where we were headed.
Declan fastened his helmet under his chin. “Who is she? You work with her?”
“Kind of. She’s helping me with some legal stuff. Her office is below my apartment.” I unlocked my bike, put on my helmet, then paused to watch Avery. A second later, her yellow dress disappeared down a side street.
“Do you still live there?” His tone was uncertain.
“My furniture is still there. I should probably move it to storage, rent the apartment to someone else.” I couldn’t see us living together in an apartment. It was too small and there wasn’t a yard, but the house we lived in was full of Julian’s furniture. I’d donated items like clothes and shoes, but wasn’t sure what to do about the rest of it.
“You should bring your stuff to our house.”
I liked how he said our house. “I don’t know if it will fit.”
“I can make room.”
I was touched by his innocence. We’ll just make room. “That sounds great.”
We biked home in silence, allowing my mind to drift to what it would be like to date Avery. Spend weekends exploring Annapolis, maybe even biking the rail trail to D.C. Would she be open to biking, or did she prefer to walk?
I knew next to nothing about her personal life other than she lived downtown and was an attorney. What did she like to do in her spare time other than read? I wanted to draw her out, show her what she was missing.
My stomach tightened with anticipation as a plan formed. I’d invite her to dinner one night this week to see Declan’s plane. Then I’d ask if we could join her next weekend when she played tourist.
I’d ease her into us until being with us was the most natural thing in the world.
Chapter Eight
Avery
Walking back to my tiny empty apartment, I was happier than I’d been in a while, but at the same time, loneliness swirled in my gut.
Was Griffin right at the fundraiser? Anytime things got too personal I backed off, changed the subject, stopped returning calls and texts. Is that why my life felt so barren? What if I was honest with Griffin that being around him felt good?
The sight of my firehouse apartment usually brought a smile to my face. The tan bricks with white trim, red antique garage door, the steep stairs to my sanctuary. It was a small one-bedroom with an open concept kitchen and living room. It was small, quaint, and all mine. I’d never wanted more than a space to call my own and a job I was proud of.
My life, my apartment, hadn’t seemed as empty before. Spending a few hours with Griffin and Declan make me feel part of something. He made me hope for things I was afraid to want in the past.
I opened the slider to the balcony, sitting in my wrought-iron chair, watching couples walking hand in hand, enjoying the beautiful day and the scenery. My apartment was in the historic area of Annapolis, but a few streets away from downtown. After unexpectedly spending the day with Griffin and Declan my heart ached. I wanted that connection with someone, a friendship, a relationship, maybe even love.
After my ex dumped me in such a public way denying our relationship, I’d vowed not to let myself fall for anyone again. The realization that I could very easily fall for Griffin shook me and at the same time, excited me.
Griffin and Declan lost a father and a brother. They deserved someone who was kind and caring, who could sympathize with their loss. If what my exes said was true, I was cold. The truth hurt but I suspected not as much as opening myself up to someone else. What if Griffin moved to live with his parents in Florida? What if I opened myself up to him, and he didn’t like me, or he still thought I was cold? What if I was incapable of anything more?
The rest of the week I did what I did best. I shut out the insecurities, the questions, the desire for a life different than mine. I told myself to be content with what I had, what I always wanted.
How many times had my parents said life was about hard work and accomplishing your goals? They’d viewed success as how much money was in their bank account at the end of the day because they’d grown up poor.
When my phone lit up with a text from Griffin on Thursday my hands trembled as I read it.
Griffin: Declan finished the plane. He asked if you could come see it.
I smiled, my heart squeezing as I reread the words. How could I say no to that?
Griffin: Can you come to dinner tonight?
Dinner meant intimacy and connection. It meant getting closer to Griffin and Declan. I bit my lip, I could keep myself at a distance. Stop by, compliment Declan on his hard work, eat, and leave.
Avery: Okay. Should I bring anything?
I panicked as soon as I pushed send. I couldn’t cook. I could pick up a bottle of wine, but which one would he like? Was it inappropriate to bring wine when he lived with a child? Socializing was so stressful.
“Hey, want to go out for a drink tonight?” Dylan plopped into the guest chair across from me.
“I can’t. I just agreed to go over to Griffin’s for dinner.” My voice shook with nerves.
Dylan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Griffin Locke? Our landlord? Your client?”
“Yes to all three.”
“That’s exciting. What’s going on between you?”
“Nothing. Nothing is going on.” Should I tell her I ran into him at the Naval Academy and we spent the afternoon together? Or would she read something into it there wasn’t.
Dylan raised her eyebrows. “You guys were pretty close on Saturday night.”
I bit my lip. “He wanted to talk.”
She raised her brow as if waiting for me to elaborate.
“That’s it. He needed someone to talk to.” I insinuated he was having a rough time and needed to talk to someone, when the opposite was true. It seemed like he wanted to get to know me.
Dylan’s eyes softened. “So, you’re helping him?”
My cheeks heated. I’d opened up to Hadley and she hadn’t judged me. I’d been friends with Dylan longer. I trusted her. “Kind of. He invited me to dinner tonight. What should I bring?”
She leaned closer, her expression serious. “He invited you to dinner at his house or a restaurant? I need details.”