The Magnolia Sisters (Magnolia Sisters #1) - Michelle Major Page 0,70
“Okay, then.” She glanced around the darkened room, like she was as reluctant to leave as he was to have her go. She took a few steps away, then turned back to him. “Call or text if you need anything. I’ll keep my phone turned on.”
He gave a small nod, not trusting himself to speak. He’d probably do something really stupid like beg her to stay.
She scooped up Spot, who was blissfully snoring from her place on a blanket that had been arranged like a bed on the rug.
“Do you have a guest room?” she asked, her voice hesitant.
“Upstairs, second door on the right as you head down the hall.”
“Would it be weird if I stayed there tonight? I’d feel better if—”
“Please do,” he blurted, then cleared his throat. “I mean, it’s not necessary but in case Violet wakes up. She usually doesn’t, but I’m not exactly at my best if she needs anything and—”
“I’ll stay,” she whispered.
He wanted to insist she join him in his bed again, but as much as he craved her touch he’d be fairly useless at the moment.
“Thank you,” he answered instead.
“Good night, Gray.”
He wasn’t sure why it made him so damn happy to have her here. She was seeing him at his weakest, but he couldn’t have cared less. It didn’t even bother him if pity led her to make the offer. He’d gotten used to being alone since his divorce, but Avery changed everything. He should head up to his bedroom but instead adjusted the sofa pillow behind his head and closed his eyes. Somehow knowing she was under the same roof made it easy to fall asleep.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
AVERY WAS IN the kitchen braiding Violet’s hair the next morning when she heard a car door slam. She was almost to the door when it burst open and she stood face-to-face with Gray’s ex-wife. His narrow-eyed, angry-looking ex-wife.
“Uh-oh,” she muttered.
“Hi, Mommy,” Violet said but didn’t move from where she sat on the stool at the island. “See my fishtail braids?” Avery had given the girl strict instructions on fidgeting or getting down from the stool until she finished braiding. Violet took her braids seriously.
“Who are you?” Stacy demanded of Avery, ignoring her daughter’s greeting. “Where’s Gray?”
“He’s sleeping,” Violet reported. “Avery had a sleepover. She doesn’t like childrens but she’s the best at hair.”
Stacy’s nostrils flared.
“Not exactly a sleepover,” Avery explained. “Gray was injured in an accident and—”
“Why do you think I’m here?” Stacy asked, a steel edge to her voice.
“Honestly, I have no idea.”
“You’re his girlfriend?”
Avery opened her mouth to deny it, but changed her mind. This woman had cheated on Gray and broken his heart. Avery knew the kind of damage that could do. Hell, she’d been part of inflicting it. She had no sympathy for a woman who had done the scorning.
“That’s not your concern,” she replied.
“It is.” Stacy stepped closer. “If your involvement with Gray involves my daughter.”
“Put away the claws, Stace.”
Avery turned to see Gray slowly making his way down the staircase. He’d showered and wore a white T-shirt and athletic shorts. His color was better than it had been yesterday and he didn’t seem to be wincing with every breath. She wondered how much was feeling better and what part of the seemingly quick recovery was for his ex-wife’s benefit.
“I heard you were at the hospital yesterday,” Stacy said, stepping around Avery like she was a pile of dog poop. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“Mommy, I got a hundred on my spelling test.”
“In a minute,” Stacy said, holding up a finger toward the girl.
Violet’s expression turned mulish as she glared down at the granite counter.
Avery quickly slipped over to Violet. “Maybe you’d like your mommy to finish your hair?”
“You.” Violet breathed out the syllable through pursed lips.
“Then we should give your parents some privacy.” She wanted to be a part of this scene like she craved a root canal,