15. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen
Licia
Avery lived on a private property near Frenchman’s Creek. The directions he provided were precise, making the journey easy.
As I neared the estate, the atmosphere began to change. The intense midday sun filtered through a dense canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows across the winding road.
The air here was different—crisper, cleaner, as if untouched by the pollution of the city. The silence was almost surreal, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves or the distant call of a bird.
It reminded me of the serenity I used to find at Gramps' place, where time seemed to slow down, allowing you to breathe and take in the world around you.
Avery greeted me at the entrance with a warm smile, his presence somehow amplifying the peacefulness of the surroundings. “Licia! Welcome to my home.”
“Thanks for having me,” I replied, returning his smile, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through me.
I took a moment to study him. Avery was dressed casually, wearing an apron over a gym singlet that clung to his well-toned body. His biceps flexed subtly as he moved, and I found myself swallowing hard. Was I really checking him out already? It seemed almost impossible to resist.
“Was it difficult to find the place?” he asked, his voice smooth and welcoming.
“Not at all,” I assured him.
“Please, come in,” he said, stepping aside to let me enter.
There was something about him, a quiet confidence mixed with a genuine warmth, that immediately put me at ease. I followed him into the house, feeling a sense of calm wash over me.
His living room was a sight to behold—tastefully furnished with a blend of modern elegance and antique charm. The room was spacious, yet cozy, with soft lighting that created a welcoming ambiance.
Everywhere I looked, there were pieces that spoke of history—a grandfather clock, an intricately carved wooden chest, a collection of vintage books neatly arranged on a shelf.
The space was clearly a reflection of Avery’s personality—refined, yet with an appreciation for the timeless.
“Your home is lovely,” I commented, my eyes roaming over the details.
“Thank you, Licia. Make yourself at home,” he replied, his voice as warm as the room itself. “I just need to check on the meal. I’ll be out in a jiffy.”
As he disappeared into the kitchen, I took a seat on the plush sofa, my thoughts wandering. I couldn’t help but feel curious about Avery. There was an air of mystery about him, something that made me want to know more.
What had drawn him to this secluded area? What stories lay behind the antiques that filled his home? My mind was buzzing with questions, but one thing was certain—there was more to Avery than met the eye.
After a few minutes, the enticing aroma of his cooking became too much to resist. I decided to join him in the kitchen, not just to see what he was preparing, but also to satisfy my growing curiosity about him .
The kitchen was just as I expected—impeccably clean and orderly, a perfect reflection of the man himself.
“Hey,” I called out as I entered, my eyes sweeping over the spotless countertops and neatly arranged utensils. There was no sign of any domestic staff, which made me wonder if Avery maintained this level of cleanliness on his own.
“Hey, Licia. Need anything?” he asked, glancing up from the stove where he was stirring a pot with focused attention.
“No, actually, I came to see if you needed help,” I replied, moving closer, drawn by the mouthwatering smell of his cooking.
“Nothing, dear. You’re my guest. I’ve got everything under control,” he said with a smile, but I could sense his pleasure at my offer.
“I insist,” I said, my curiosity piqued not just by the food, but by the man preparing it.
He chuckled softly. “Alright then, if you’re sure. Could you check on the meatballs in the oven? The mitts are over there.”
I nodded, retrieving the oven mitts from the countertop and carefully pulling open the oven door. The heat rushed out, carrying with it the rich scent of perfectly cooked meatballs. As I worked, I tried to keep my focus on the task at hand, but my eyes kept drifting back to Avery.
The way his muscles moved beneath his shirt, the way he handled the cooking with such ease—it was all unexpectedly captivating.
“So, you cook?” I asked, breaking the silence, though it was more of a realization than a question.
He nodded, not taking his eyes off the pot he was stirring. “I picked up a few culinary skills from my grandmother. God bless her soul.”
“You two were close?” I asked, my tone gentle, sensing that this was a sensitive subject.
He paused for a moment, his expression softening. “We were. I grew up with her on a farm. She was my everything. But then she was diagnosed with cancer in my junior year and passed away a year later.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of loss. I felt a pang of sympathy for him, wishing I could ease the pain that still lingered behind his calm demeanor.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” I said quietly, genuinely regretting that my question might have stirred painful memories.
He gave me a warm smile, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “Thank you, Licia. But don’t worry about it. It doesn’t hurt as much anymore. It’s just… a part of life, I guess.”
I nodded, not knowing what else to say. It was clear that he had found a way to cope with the pain, but I could tell that the memories were still very much alive in his heart.
I turned my attention back to the oven, hoping to lighten the mood. “These meatballs look amazing.”
“Believe me, they taste even better,” he said, a note of pride in his voice.
“That’s a big claim,” I teased, smiling as I closed the oven door. “So, how many ladies have you cooked for?”
He looked at me with a playful glint in his eyes. “Prepared lunch at my home, you mean?”
“Yes,” I said, raising an eyebrow, already anticipating his answer.
He chuckled, feigning thoughtfulness. “Not many. Maybe about a dozen.”
I gave him a skeptical look, and he burst into laughter, the sound warm and genuine. “Gotcha. I was just kidding.
Honestly, it’s not something I do casually. I only cook for people I like a lot. And I’ve come to like you… a whole lot,” he added, his voice softening with sincerity.
I felt a warmth spread through me at his words, but I couldn’t resist teasing him a little. “And if the feeling isn’t mutual?” I asked, though I knew deep down that I was already starting to feel something for him.
“I’d take it as a challenge,” he replied with a grin. “You’ll be head over heels in love with me once you get to know me.”
“You sound so sure of yourself,” I said, shaking my head in amusement, but there was something about his confidence that was almost reassuring.
“What do I have to lose?” he asked, his tone light. “I don’t give up easily.”
“Finally, lunch is ready!” he announced, his face lighting up with pride as he took off the apron and stepped back to admire his work.
I helped him set the table while he fetched a bottle of red wine. “This will go perfectly with the pasta,” he said, his voice tinged with excitement.
The meal was as delicious as it smelled, and we started with the meatballs, which were tender and savory, bursting with flavor. I found myself eagerly anticipating the main course, already impressed by Avery’s culinary skills.
“Avery…” I began, catching his attention.
“Yeah?” he replied, looking up from his plate.
“If you don’t mind my asking, do you live alone? I didn’t see any staff around, and this house is quite big.”
“For now, yes,” he said, nodding. “I hire a housekeeping service from time to time. They come in, clean what needs to be cleaned, and leave. I prefer solitude and my own company.”
“That says a lot,” I murmured, more to myself than to him, but he heard me.
He arched an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “What was that?”
“I was just saying, it explains why you chose to live in a secluded area,” I said, trying to cover up my slip.
“Partly that,” he admitted, “and for other reasons.”
I looked at him, sensing that there was more to the story. “What other reasons?” I asked, genuinely curious.
He hesitated for a moment before continuing. “I was married for two years, and we had a son.”
His words hit me like a wave, unexpected and heavy with emotion. I remained silent, letting him speak at his own pace.
“Unfortunately, I lost them both in a fire. I left Texas after that, needing to escape the memories. Everywhere reminded me of them. I needed a fresh start, and I found solace and peace here—a place to heal. This isn’t just my home; it’s my sanctuary.”
The depth of his pain was palpable, and I felt a lump form in my throat. “I’m so sorry, Avery,” I said softly, my voice thick with emotion. “I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have been like.”
He nodded, his eyes reflecting a sadness that seemed to have settled deep within him. “Thank you, Licia. It’s been a long journey, but I’ve found peace here.”
I reached out and placed my hand over his, offering silent support. He looked at me, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause, as if we were the only two people in it.
Then, as if sensing that the conversation was becoming too heavy, he shifted the topic.
“Enough of sad memories,” he said, forcing a small smile. “Tell me, what made you decide to sign up on Tinder?”
I laughed, the lightness of the question a welcome relief. “Funny thing is, I didn’t sign myself up. My best friend created the account.”
“You don’t say,” Avery said, grinning.
“I swear. She did everything—from creating my profile to choosing the dates.”
“I think I like her already. She sounds like fun,” he said, chuckling.
“She really is. How about you?” I asked, curious about his story.
“Let’s just say I decided to give love another shot. Given my social apathy, I opted for a less aggressive approach.”
“And how’s that been going?” I asked, my interest piqued.
“It’s been a roller coaster, trust me,” he said with a wry smile.
“I can relate,” I said, nodding.
We continued talking, the conversation flowing easily as we shared stories and laughter. The more I learned about Avery, the more I found myself drawn to him. He was kind, genuine, and despite the pain he carried, he had a warmth that was hard to resist.
Just as I was about to dive into the story of how I became a nurse, my phone buzzed, interrupting the moment. I had put it on Do Not Disturb, but Joey’s call came through, causing a pit of dread to form in my stomach.
“I think you should take that. It might be important,” Avery suggested when he saw my hesitation.
Before I could return Joey’s call, a text message popped up:
Kevin suffered a crisis. He’s in the hospital.
Panic surged through me, and I nearly knocked over a china plate as I scrambled to grab my phone, startling Avery.
“What is it?” he asked, concern etched across his face as he quickly came to my side.
“Avery, I need to get to the hospital now,” I said, my voice shaking. “I’m so sorry to cut our date short, but this is urgent.”
“Don’t apologize,” he said gently, understanding the dawning in his eyes. “I completely understand.”
He probably thought it was a patient or family emergency, but the truth was much more complicated. How could I explain that this was about Kevin, a man who had once been more than just a friend?
“Let me drive you,” Avery offered, his tone firm and insistent.
“I can manage,” I tried to sound strong, but my voice betrayed the fear and anxiety swirling inside me.
“You’re in no condition to drive. I can’t let you do that,” he said firmly, grabbing my purse and keys. “Come on, Licia. Let me help you.”
I wanted to argue, but the truth was, he was right. I was too shaken to think clearly, let alone drive. Nodding, I allowed him to lead me out of the house, my mind already racing ahead to the hospital.
When we arrived, the sight of Kevin’s parents and Lexie in the waiting area made my heart clench with fear. The worry etched on their faces told me everything I needed to know—this was serious.
I turned to Avery, my voice barely above a whisper. “I think you can go now.”
“Are you sure? I can stay if you need me to,” he offered, his concern for me evident in his eyes.
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll call you when things settle down,” I promised, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Please do,” he said, his voice softening as he reached out to touch my arm. “I’ll be waiting. Take care of yourself.”
“I will,” I promised, though I wasn’t sure if I was saying it for his sake or mine.
As Avery walked away, Lexie came up to me, her face pale with fear. “Licia, I’m scared. What if something happens to him? What if he doesn’t survive?”
I hugged her tightly, trying to offer comfort even as my own heart pounded with fear. “Hey, listen to me. Kevin is strong. He’ll get through this. He needs us to believe that.”
“But he’s in so much pain. Mom and Dad are on edge. The doctor mentioned something about deep vein thrombosis reaching his heart. What does that even mean?” Lexie’s voice was trembling, her fear palpable.
“Lexie, calm down,” I said, trying to soothe her. “Kevin needs us to be strong for him. Where’s Melony? Have you seen her?”
“Not since Kevin relieved her of her duties,” Lexie said, her voice tinged with confusion and worry.
“Kevin did what? Why?” I asked, shocked that I was just now hearing about this.
Lexie explained, “He’s been insisting he doesn’t need a nurse anymore. You know how stubborn he can be. He’s been working nonstop with little rest. I guess it all contributed to this.”
A flood of questions filled my mind. How long had he been refusing care? Why didn’t Melony tell me? I felt a wave of guilt crash over me. Maybe if I had stayed on as his nurse, this could have been avoided.
“Where is he now?” I asked, my voice barely holding back the rising panic.
“In the VIP ward, near the conference room,” Lexie replied, her voice trembling.
“Okay, I’ll go see him. Just hang in there, okay? Kevin will be fine. I promise,” I said, though the words felt hollow in my mouth.
I didn’t know why I felt compelled to make that promise, but I wanted to reassure Lexie. I hoped with all my heart that Kevin would indeed be okay.
But when I entered Kevin’s ward and saw him lying there, pale and motionless, hooked up to machines that beeped and whirred, the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. My breath caught in my throat, and the tears I had been holding back finally spilled over.
Seeing Kevin in such a vulnerable state broke something inside me. I had always seen him as strong, invincible even, but now, lying there, he looked fragile, almost… defeated.
The man who had once been my rock, my protector, was now fighting for his life, and there was nothing I could do to help him.
The guilt, the fear, the overwhelming sense of helplessness—it all came crashing down on me, and for a moment, I didn’t know how to breathe. All I could do was stand there, my heart aching for the man I had once loved, praying with every fiber of my being that he would pull through this.
But the doubts were there, gnawing at the edges of my mind, whispering that this time, it might be too late.