Worth the Wait

by Rhonda Laurel

  “I thought my buddy Duane was on your ‘to-do’ list.” He did air quotes with his fingers.

  She shrugged. “We were never serious. We just hooked up.”

  “That doesn’t make it any more appealing.” He went into the kitchen and got a bottle of water out of the fridge.

  “We can keep it casual. Just between us. I won’t tell anyone. Not even your prissy little girlfriend.” She grinned again. “I’m surprised she’s not here now. If you were my boyfriend, I wouldn’t leave you alone for a second.”

  “Avery keeps her mind focused on what’s important. That’s why she’s finishing school a whole year early and going to med school.”

  “Figures. She’s wound pretty tight. I can see why you call her Princess.”

  His jaw ticked. “I call her princess as a term of endearment.”

  “Oh yeah? What do you call me?” She went over and put her arms around his neck.

  “Trouble.”

  * * *

  Avery waved good-bye to Morgan and Teri-Lyn as she pulled off. When Teri-Lyn had asked Avery to drop off the monogram cufflinks that Wyatt had left in Bo’s guesthouse, she’d fumbled for excuse not to do it, but nothing plausible reached her lips. How could say no to Teri-Lyn? She couldn’t. So she took the box and promised to deliver them. She was just grateful the family hadn’t asked any probing questions about her disappearance at the wedding that night.

  Despite getting hooked into making what would be an awkward delivery, a visit to the ranch had been just what she’d needed to recharge her batteries. She’d taken Comet for a ride and spent time with Morgan, something she’d been doing a lot of lately. She knew her aunt was doing a great job of managing her health since being diagnosed with lupus, but that didn’t stop Avery from wanting to be near her more lately. Besides, it was fun playing with the kids. Gabe and Owen had gotten so big and were crawling all over the place. And it was always entertaining seeing what new things Mackenzie was getting into these days. Being at the ranch had recharged her batteries, and for a little while she’d forgotten about her problems with Wyatt.

  The alarm sounded on her cell phone. Time for her weekly call with her dad. She’d been helping him plan a special night out for her mom’s birthday. But Avery had another surprise in store for them too. She’d gotten her parents tickets to a cruise for their upcoming anniversary.

  “Call dad,” She said, loud enough for the Bluetooth microphone to acknowledge the command. He picked up on the first ring. “Is this Lieutenant Robert Reed, also known as the most awesome dad, ever?”

  He laughed. “Guilty as charged. Hi, Baby.”

  “Hi, Dad. How are you?”

  “I’m just fine now that I’ve heard your voice. How’s my budding neurosurgeon?”

  “Dad.” She rolled her eyes. “I haven’t decided on what my field of concentration will be in medical school.”

  “Whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll do great. It’s going to be nice to have a doctor in the family.”

  “We do. Cousin Melissa’s husband Lawrence is a podiatrist.”

  “Lawrence is an idiot. He doesn’t count.”

  “Well, we used to have a neurosurgeon in the family. Does Aunt Taylor still count?” The car in front of her was going so slow it was painful. She checked her mirror for a safe lane change.

  “In her mind she’s still part of the family.”

  “Would you believe she sent me a congratulatory e-mail? I was kind of shocked.”

  “I’m not surprised. She still has her ear to the family grapevine.”

  Avery checked her mirror again and got into the middle lane on the highway. “Isn’t that a bit strange to be keeping in touch with your ex-husband’s family? It’s been a while since she and Uncle Jared parted ways for good.”

  “Sounds like she may still have some regrets she’s working through. According to the rumor mill, she never had that baby she claimed she wanted. I’m sure hearing Jared and Autumn are going strong isn’t helping matters.”

  “Do you think she’ll ever get over Uncle Jared?” She couldn’t help thinking of Wyatt as she asked the question, seeing his handsome face in her mind.

  “I don’t know sweetie. It depends on the person.”

  “Ah.” She cleared her throat. That was depressing, in more ways than one. “Did you get the e-mail confirmation for the concert tickets I ordered you and mom for her birthday?”

  “I did, thank you very much. She’s going to love seeing her favorite old groups on that nostalgia tour.”

  The house had always been filled with music and laughter when she was growing up. Her dad even liked to serenade her mom while cooking dinner. So when Avery saw the advertisement for her parents’ favorite yester-year singing group, she knew it would be the perfect evening out for them.

  “I thought you could make a night of it, so I booked the romantic champagne package for you—a room at that fancy hotel near the arena.”

  “That was very thoughtful of you. And to think there was a time when you thought romance was gross.”

  She laughed. “Oh, it’s still gross for people your age.”

  “Watch it, young lady. I am not above hopping on a plane to give you a spanking.”

  “You’ve never spanked me a day in my life.”

  “I know.” He sighed. “Because you were a perfect child.”

  “Dad. I am not perfect. Not by a long shot. The higher you build that pedestal, the farther I have to fall when I finally become human in your eyes.”

  “You are perfect to me. And if you ever fall, which I doubt, I will be there to pick you up and dust you off.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled. He always made her feel like she was twelve, but it was as sweet as it was annoying.

  “So I talked to Morgan last night and she said you visited the ranch by yourself this time. No Wyatt?”

  “No Wyatt. We’ve been out of touch lately.”

  “He still doesn’t know what he’s going to do after college? The kid’s got a lot of raw talent he could put to good use.”

  “I don’t know. What kind of raw talent?”

  “He’s funny, charming, smart, and quick on his feet. These are qualities of a successful person.”

  Avery was dumbfounded, surprised her dad had been paying attention. He wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t like her dad to actually say nice things about Wyatt. As a matter of fact, he usually grunted at the sound of his name. Now he was giving a detailed assessment of his character? Clearly the world had gone crazy. “And since when are you on team Wyatt?”

  “He’s taken good care of you for the last three years. He can’t be all that bad.”

  “You mean he’s abided by the threats doled out by the male half of the family to keep his distance from me.” She put her right signal on for the upcoming exit and tried not to speed, even though she was getting a little worked up.

  He chuckled. “There’s that too.”

  “What have you done with my father? The intimidating cop who never cut any guy a break? The man who was conspicuously cleaning his gun every time I had someone over to the house? Or worse, unleashed his nephews on some unsuspecting soul.”

  “I’d like to believe I’ve matured over the years.”

  “I don’t know about that.” She’d love to believe that her father was no longer an overprotective nut but the truth was that her attending school in Texas amped up the Blake’s family campaign to watch over her. “You still put Uncle Charles and Uncle Jared into headlocks when they disagree with you.”

  “I have to remind them that I’ll always be the big brother.” He laughed.

  She laughed too. “Luckily, as an only child I never had to worry about things like that.”

  She pulled into Wyatt’s section of the apartment complex. Her apartment was on the other side of the property. “Dad, I have to go. I e-mailed you all the confirmation details for your special night with mom. Call me if you have any questions.”

  “I will. Have I told you how p
roud I am of you?”

  “Yes, but thank you for saying it again. Love you.”

  “Love you too, sweetheart. Be careful.”

  “I will.” She disconnected the call, turned off the car, and grabbed the jewelry box that held the cufflinks from the passenger seat. She put her hand on the door handle but hesitated before opening it. She could do this. Sure the last time they saw each other they were hot and heavy and in the throes consummating their relationship. Before he’d completely rejected her and tried to get her out of the guesthouse as if he was embarrassed by her lack of experience. Or worse, that he didn’t want her at all…

  She pushed away her nervousness, took a deep breath, and got out. She bounded up the walkway leading to his apartment before she could have any second thoughts. His door was open. That wasn’t like him. She turned back and searched the parking lot for his Jeep Cherokee. It was there. Avery put the jewelry box in her purse then fished out her pepper spray and her cell phone, just in case something was wrong. As she eased in, she called out, but Wyatt didn’t answer. She went toward the kitchen, not knowing what to expect. But her stomach dropped when she saw his neighbor Kelly with her arms around his neck.

  “Wyatt,” she said so softly it was a miracle he heard her.

  He pushed Kelly off him, his eyes wide with shock. “Avery!”

  “This is awkward,” Kelly said and smirked.

  “I was dropping something off for Teri-Lyn. I’ll leave it on the coffee table.” She backed away as she fought to hold in her tears.

  “Avery wait.” He walked toward her. “Let me explain—”

  But she kept going. She had to get out of there now. “I don’t want an explanation. I don’t want to talk to you.”

  He caught up with her and gently grasped her wrist. “Avery. Stop.” He turned to Kelly. “Kelly. You need to go. Now.”

  “I’ll talk to you later, Wyatt.” Kelly sauntered past them both and exited the apartment.

  When she was out sight, Avery wrenched out of his grasp. “Now I know why you hurried me out of the guesthouse. Why fool around with me when you have some with way more experience to play with. I can’t believe I wanted to be with you that night.”

  “I didn’t want to fool around with you.”

  Avery furiously dug into her bag and found the jewelry box. “Teri-Lyn asked me to give these to you.” She threw the box at him and stormed out.

  “Avery!” Wyatt reached down, picked up the box, and threw it on a chair. He caught up with her and jumped in front of her to block her path. “Avery, please stop. I need to talk to you.”

  “Now you have something to say? Funny how you like to talk when it’s convenient for you. But I don’t want to listen.”

  She scurried to her car before he could catch up with her. She didn’t want to hear another word he had to say.

  * * *

  Wyatt was gripping the wheel so tight, his hand was cramping. How had things gone so wrong, so quickly? When he got on the road for his trip home to New Mexico to visit his family, he hadn’t wanted to leave until he’d explained things to Avery. Until he’d set things right. But he’d searched for Avery for the rest of the day after she stormed out of his apartment in hopes of explaining what she’d seen and had no luck finding her. She wasn’t taking his phone calls either. He knew what Avery had seen looked bad. No, it looked terrible.

  Today he’d caught a break. After some cajoling, Kendrick, Sam’s partner at Regency who also oversaw the security for the Blake family, informed him Avery had gone to see Parker. He assured Kendrick he wouldn’t tell where the information came from and was on his way. He’d called Avery again, but she still wouldn’t pick up. A half hour later and thirty miles out his way to New Mexico, he made the turn when he saw the Twin Oaks gated community sign on his way to Parker’s house. It figured she’d live on a Blake property. He’d remembered Bo saying this was a property in Connor and Colby’s real estate portfolio. He told the security guard in the shack he was here to see Parker. The man got on the phone and made a call. A few minutes later, the guard raised the security gate and gave him instructions to get to Parker’s place.

  Twin Oaks was a nice property with manicured lawns and gorgeous homes. He saw Parker’s car and pulled into the driveway next to Avery’s car. She wasn’t standing outside wielding a weapon and Parker had allowed him through at the gate, so he took it as a good sign he was welcome. He got out of the car and rang the doorbell. Parker opened the door with a bright smile.

  “Hi, Parker.” He hugged her.

  “Wyatt. So nice to see you.” She hugged him back and ushered him into the house.

  He whistled as he surveyed the foyer area. “Nice place.”

  “Thanks. Avery’s in the living room.”

  “Do I need to borrow your bullet proof vest?”

  “I hope not.” She smiled and continued into the living room.

  As soon as he locked eyes with Avery, his heart skipped a beat and his body tensed. She was standing near the coffee table with her arms folded across her chest. She looked sexy in a pair of jean shorts and turquoise blouse. That was one of his problems these days. Since that steamy kiss they’d shared, he had trouble keeping himself composed around her. He thought about puppies. Rainbows. Images of his mom and her friends doing yoga on their deck wearing those unitards from the eighties usually did the trick. Anything that would cool his overactive libido. Because now all he wanted to do was finish what they’d started that night in the guesthouse before he’d come to his senses.

  “Hey, Princess.” He smiled.

  “Stop calling me that,” she huffed. “How did you know I was here?”

  “I have my ways.”

  Avery and Parker looked at each other. “Kendrick.”

  He winced. “He was just doing me a favor. Don’t rat him out to Sam.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “You left before I could explain what you saw.”

  “I told you I didn’t want an explanation.”

  Parker cleared her throat. “I’ll give you two some privacy. Wyatt, the fridge is fully stocked if you want anything. I’ll be upstairs if you need a referee.” She waved at Avery as she left, ignoring Avery’s hand signals telling her to stay put.

  He launched into his speech as soon as Parker left. “I didn’t sleep with Kelly.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Have I ever lied to you? I don’t intend to do so now. Kelly’s been flirting with me for three years, and I’ve been turning her down for three years.” He looked her in the eyes. “I don’t want her.”

  She sighed. “Am I supposed to be happy about that?”

  “Honestly. I don’t know.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets, sank down on the arm of the white leather couch, and tilted his head back and closed his eyes.

  “What’s going on with you lately?” she asked, her voice almost gentle.

  That was a really good question. But he didn’t want to talk about it right now. “I’ve got some stuff to figure out about my future. I’m afraid I won’t live up to everyone’s expectations.”

  She looked relieved—and he was relieved to see anything but anger on her face. “Oh. I know how you feel.”

  “No, I don’t think you do.” He shook his head. “You accelerated your course load and now you’re graduating with me and going to med school. Do you know how embarrassed I am about that?”

  She frowned. “Why would you be embarrassed?”

  “Because you’ve been working hard for three years and I’ve been messing around.”

  She closed the distance between them. “You’ve been doing great. Maybe you have a balanced college life. Maybe I’m the one who’s wound too tight.”

  “You’re fine.” He looked into her eyes and pulled her closer. “As a matter of fact, you’re more than fine. You’re going to do great things in your life. I’m counting on you to be a kick ass doctor.”

  She laughed. “No pressure.”

&nbs
p; “I’m serious. Whenever I do get a respectable job, I’m going to refuse the health benefits because I will insist that you be my doctor.”

  “I don’t know. Being your physician would require you taking your clothes off in front of me so I can give you a thorough exam.”

  He stood, taking her face in his hands. “I’m counting on it.”

  “Wyatt?”

  He leaned in and kissed her. Now that he had the delicious taste of her lips etched into his memory, he had to have more. His body thrummed as Avery leaned into him and put her arms around his waist. He knew she wanted to talk about that night at the guesthouse, but he wasn’t ready. Sure, they could’ve had sex. But it wouldn’t be just sex with Avery. It would mean something much more, and he was trying to understand why it terrified him. He felt himself getting hard again. It was time to get on the road. He reluctantly pulled away from her and touched his forehead with hers.

  She caressed his hands. “Parker and I were going to have pizza for dinner. I can order a pie with anchovies and pepperoni for you.”

  “No. I can’t stay. I’m on my way to New Mexico to see my family. I think something’s going on with Corbett.”

  “Oh. OK.” She sighed. “How long will you be gone?”

  “Just a few days. I have a shift at the Bright Star this weekend.” He caressed her face again and reluctantly walked to the door with her hand in hers. “Can you tell Parker good-bye for me?”

  She laughed. “Sure. You be careful. Tell your mom and Corbett I said hello.”

  “Not Courtney?”

  “Yeah, her too.” She smiled.

  “So we’re good?” he asked, hopeful.

  “We’re getting there,” she sighed. “Whatever it is you’re going through, I know you’ll figure it out. Don’t put a time limit on yourself. Sometimes things that are worth fighting for take more time.”

  “Yes, they do.” He kissed her again before he left. “We’ll talk when I get back. I promise.”

  “OK.”