The Magnolia Sisters (Magnolia Sisters #1) - Michelle Major Page 0,51
high enough to keep the air sticky. As much as he liked to eat on the back patio, he’d set two places at the kitchen table, grateful for the central air he’d installed in the house when he bought it after the divorce.
She glanced toward his kitchen window at that moment, like he’d drawn her gaze to him with the force of his need. He could almost feel her breath hitch as she lifted a tentative hand to wave.
At least he wasn’t the only one oddly nervous about tonight.
“That’s quite a brave guard cow you’ve got,” he said with a grin as he opened the back door.
“Did you see the cojones on that squirrel?” Avery asked as she followed Spot up the stairs. “It was traumatic even for me.”
Gray chuckled. “No cute clothes tonight?”
Her blue eyes widened for a second before she relaxed again. “You’re talking about Spot.”
He stepped back to let her into the kitchen. “Yes, but you look beautiful as always if you were interested in a compliment.”
“I’m not.”
“Liar.”
She shot him a glare that made him laugh again.
“All those women lusting after you at the parade has gone to your head.”
“I could care less about ‘all those’ women.” He pulled two wineglasses from the cabinet. “White or red?”
“White, please. What about your ex-wife?”
He paused, his fingers tightening on the refrigerator door handle. He didn’t want to talk about Stacy. His failed marriage was a subject that even his closest friends didn’t bother to bring up at this point.
“What about her?” He made sure his tone stayed neutral.
“Do you still love her?”
“Wow. I haven’t even poured the wine, and already we’re going heavy.”
“I’m sorry.” Avery bit down on her lower lip, pink coloring her cheeks. “It’s none of my business. Forget I asked.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He drew in a breath, surprised to find his stomach wasn’t clenching at the thought of discussing the demise of his marriage. “We wanted different things.” He uncorked the wine and poured the gold liquid into the two glasses. “Or more specifically, she wanted something different. Someone who wasn’t me.”
“I find that hard to believe,” she said with a laugh.
He handed her the glass of wine, arching a brow in question.
“First...” She took a long drink, then held up her free hand, one finger at time. “You’ve got the whole hot firefighter thing going for you. That’s sexy as hell for lots of women.”
“Any women you care to mention by name?”
“All the women, probably. I mean, you’re kind of sexy firefighter calendar material.”
He choked out a laugh and studied his wineglass.
“You were on a calendar?”
“Years ago when I joined the department in Raleigh,” he admitted, feeling almost sheepish. He usually didn’t give much thought to the way he looked. Hell, he’d been staring at his own reflection in the mirror for nearly three decades. As far as he was concerned, there was nothing special about it.
But Avery’s grin did funny things to his insides.
“What month were you?”
“April.” He rolled his eyes. “I needed the money and it was a painless couple of hours.”
“Do you have a copy?”
“Uh, no. And even if I did I’d burn it before I showed it to you.”
“I’m going to track it down,” she threatened with a giggle.
“Can we stop talking about this? Let’s discuss your romantic history.”
She shook her head. “I haven’t even gotten to number two on the list of reasons your ex-wife was a fool to let you go.”
“I’m sure I can live without hearing it.”
“You’re an amazing father.”
Four little words but they hit him with the force of a bullet. He placed his wineglass on the counter when he realized his hand was shaking. “I’m lucky I’ve got a good kid. Violet is—”
“A handful,” Avery said. “Don’t bother denying it. It’s going to serve her well one day,