28. Grayson
TWENTY-EIGHT
Grayson
I ’ve been forced into the office today, under the guise of having things to do that need my approval, but all I’ve done is stare at my emails for the last hour, wishing I was out in the pastures doing something with my hands. Or better yet, at home with Avery.
It’s quiet, with just the gentle hum of the air conditioner and the occasional tap of someone’s keyboard somewhere on the floor. Not much of the ranch’s business is done here; we’re not office people. At least I’m not .
Resigning myself to at least getting through my emails, I click into one from Bob Russell. He owns one of the ranches we’ve partnered with in Texas. I open the attached spreadsheet, scanning my eyes over the quarterly projections and making notes for Reed to double check.
When that email is done, I open the next, sighing heavily. This one is about the equipment leasing program we set up in the spring.
“That’s a mighty loud sigh for a man that runs the show.”
I look up and find Avery leaning against the doorjamb, a teasing smile on her face.
“Hey,” I say, sitting back in my chair as my eyes roam over her from head to toe and the curves that her soft gray thigh-length dress clings to. “You lost, sunshine?”
She laughs, stepping inside and rounding my desk to sit on the edge. “Nope. I just missed you.”
Now that she’s not on the other side of the room, I see the tension in her features. There’s something she’s not telling me. I’ve felt it ever since the day in the grocery store, but I haven’t wanted to push her.
“You okay?” I ask, smoothing my hands up her thighs.
Her smile falters for a second before it’s back in place. “Yeah, everything’s great.”
I search her face, weighing up if it’s a good idea to try and get her to open up to me.
“I’ve known you a real long time, Ave. I can tell when something’s bothering you.” She tenses but doesn’t deny it. “You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to, but I just need you to know that you can, okay?”
She looks away, staring out of the floor-to-ceiling window at the mountains. “I don’t want it to ruin what we’re doing.” Her voice is small, a hint of fear and a whole load of tension following the words.
An emotion I can’t quite pinpoint flairs in my chest; it’s a mix of pain and panic. “Are you leaving soon?” I ask, keeping my tone neutral.
She nods, the action sad, like she doesn’t want it to be true.
We both knew this was coming. I just thought I’d have time to sort things out so I can present her with my plan. The one that means I don’t lose her again. “When?”
“In a little over a week.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. That’s okay. I still have time. Things can be put in motion.
Standing, I cup her face in my hands and lean down until we’re inches apart. Her eyes flutter closed. “Let me take you out to dinner.”
She leans back, her eyes flying open. “Like, now?”
“Tomorrow, I want to spend as much time with you as I can before you leave.”
Her body relaxes, and she grips my hips, pulling me closer. “Okay.”
I grin before capturing her mouth with mine and kissing her like my life depends on it. If Avery is leaving in a week, then there’s no more wasting time. I need to put my heart on the line and beg her to let her leaving not be the end of us. Not this time around.