The Magnolia Sisters (Magnolia Sisters #1) - Michelle Major Page 0,45
friend’s dedication to her late father and the town, although he understood she paid a steep price for both.
As he maneuvered past a group of teenagers huddled over their phones in the middle of the row of booths, Malcolm Grimes caught his eye. The mayor hitched his head in the direction of the alley that separated the buildings on the two main blocks of downtown.
Gray didn’t bother to wonder how the older man knew he was searching for Avery. He nodded, mouthed, “Thank you,” and headed for the alley.
The air felt a few degrees cooler between the buildings, the alley still shaded from the late-morning sun. He found Avery on the stairs behind the back exit to the gallery. She didn’t look up as he approached, but her tiny cow dog stood and gave him a quick yip before plopping to her belly again. The dog’s leash had been tied to the metal railing, although he doubted the animal would go far. She seemed to have quickly bonded to her human foster mom.
“Nice outfit,” he said, almost taking a step back at the glare Avery shot him.
“I know it’s inappropriate.” She fisted her hands on the knees of her fancy tailored slacks. “I’m too dressy. I don’t fit in. This isn’t my home.”
Gray held up his hands, palms out. “I was talking about Spot’s sweater.”
“Oh,” Avery breathed, scrunching up her nose. “She likes it.”
The dog wagged her stubby tail as he bent for an ear scratch. “Believe it or not, I can tell. Has she lost weight?”
Avery nodded, her features gentling in a way that made his breath hitch. “Meredith thinks so. Apparently, managing the weight loss of an overweight mutt is the only thing I’m not screwing up at this point.”
“Don’t forget your braiding acumen. Mind if I join you?”
She scooted over on the concrete step by way of an answer and he dropped down next to her. The muted din from the festival drifted into the quiet space, but there was still a sense of privacy, as if they were the only two people for miles.
At least that was how he felt with Avery. Close to her, the rest of the world fell away and it was easy to forget all the reasons they weren’t right for each other. He spread his legs slightly so their thighs barely touched, unable to resist but also unwilling to push her for more. Not with how fragile she seemed at the moment.
“I met Margo and her sweet-tea-sippin’ mother.”
“Violet’s nemesis,” Gray muttered.
“Monday morning your kid is going to school with the best damn braids anyone has ever seen. It’s going to be like the Oscars of kindergarten braids.”
“So you and Annalise hit it off?”
She laughed. “Instant besties.”
“Not all the women around here are like that.”
“I bet some of them are worse.”
He scratched his chin, considering that. He didn’t pay a lot of attention to the way women interacted with each other. Stacy had accused him of not paying much attention at all. “Probably, but you’re from the city and I’ve been on the receiving end of your attitude. I bet you can throw back anything they dish out.”
Her shoulders rose and fell as she sighed. “Annalise got to me. Or she was the straw that broke this camel’s back. The morning—being on display and listening to all that about Niall—it’s a lot to handle. I’m not sure I was ready for it.”
“You look beautiful,” he told her, tracing one finger along the seam of her slacks.
“I feel ridiculous in these clothes. They aren’t appropriate for a summer festival and now it seems like I’m trying too hard.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “You should take them off.”
She laughed again, only this time it sounded real, which made him ridiculously happy.
“You don’t even like me.”
“I don’t have to like you to want to see you naked.”
That comment earned him an elbow to the ribs.
“Kidding,” he amended quickly. “I like you. From what I’ve heard, everyone who’s met you so