I walked away.
Shoving another giant bite of ice cream into her mouth, Avery thought about the countless times over the past two weeks that she’d picked up the phone to call him. The numerous texts she’d typed out and then deleted because she was too chickenshit to follow through.
Truth be told, Avery was afraid after the way she’d left things between them, that he’d decide she wasn’t worthy of his love and reject her.
So instead of calling or texting, she’d spent the last two weeks trying desperately to forget him. But she was finally beginning to realize that no amount of ice cream—chocolate chip or otherwise—was going to fix what felt broken inside her.
There was only one thing that could heal a wound that deep. One man. She just had to find the courage to pick up the damn phone and call him.
And she would. After a few more bites.
Filling her spoon again, she’d just put the next helping in her mouth when someone knocked on her door.
Alex.
Avery dropped the spoon into the round, cardboard quart container and pushed herself off the couch. With the ice cream in tow, she began walking to the door.
Mouth filled with the freezing cold dessert, she did her best to talk around it.
“Go away, Awex. I awready tode you, I don’t wanna go out wi you tonight.” Avery opened the door and, sure enough, she found her sister smiling back at her.
“Nice outfit.”
“Thanks.” Avery ignored Alex’s obvious sarcasm and swallowed the final remnants of her bite. “Now, go away.”
She started to shut the door, but her persistent sister threw up a hand to stop her. “I’m not here to talk you into going out.”
Relieved, Avery sighed. “Then why are you here? Because as much as I love you and appreciate what you’re trying to do, I’m also not up for one of our sisterly heart-to-hearts.”
“Good.” This seemed oddly pleasing to Alex. “Because I didn’t come for that, either.”
Avery frowned. “Then why are you here?”
“For him.”
Alex reached for something out of Avery’s line of sight. A second later, in one sudden, breath-stealing moment, Avery found herself staring into the eyes she’d dreamed about every night since coming home.
“Garrett?” She blinked, half-expecting him to disappear.
He glanced down at the tub of ice cream in her hands and then back to her. “Hey, sweetheart.”
Avery opened her mouth to say something more. Something profound and wise and…yeah, she had nothing.
So instead of saying anything, she grabbed hold of her sister’s arm and yanked her into the apartment. “Give us a second.”
Then she slammed the door in Garrett’s face.
“What are you doing?” Alex scowled at her.
“Me?” Avery’s voice rose two octaves. “What about you? What the hell is he doing here?”
“I knew you wanted to see him, but I also knew you were too damn stubborn to call him yourself. I saved you the effort.” Her sister shrugged. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
“Are you kidding me right now?”
She’s your sister and you love her. Don’t. Kill. Her.
Avery spoke through a set of clenched teeth when she asked,“Why didn’t you at least give me a heads up?”