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  BeardLover: Okay, I’m not sure about this, but I’ll give it a shot.

  I busy myself working through my endless email inbox, while wondering how long it will take her to knock on my door. I have the answer to that question a lot sooner than I planned. Glancing at my watch, I realize it’s only been fifteen minutes since I chatted with her. I rake my teeth over my lip and grin. Getting her to do what I want is easier than I expected. It’s like taking candy from a baby.

  13

  Avery

  I’m standing outside Wes’ office, awkwardly running my hands through my hair and then straightening my skirt. The last twenty-four hours have been crazy. Unable to sleep, I spent all night thinking about the kiss Wes and I shared. I shouldn’t have, I know this; but for a few hours I let myself indulge in the impossible. But this morning, after a long chat with Lucy over breakfast, I’ve decided to try and start fresh with Wes. Mystery guy aka BigBadWolf, may have also played a role in my decision. With a username like that, I expected an arrogant and conceited ass - actually I expected Wes. But we’ve fallen into this easy banter, hitting it off straight away. The familiarity between us has been oddly comforting, and I found myself unintentionally divulging the reason why I started the Timber account. With that came out snarky and bitchy Avery, painting Wes in a horrible light. It’s no secret he brings out the worst in me, but I need to start taking responsibility for my feelings and be the better person. With no filter the horrible words slip out of my mouth and that’s not the impression I want to give others. Like Lucy and BigBadWolf keep saying, there is more to him then meets the eye, and if I stop carrying that chip on my shoulder, Wes and I might be able to be friends. The fact he walked into work today with no mention of the kiss, gives me hope that irritating Wes has also decided to take a hiatus. With the intention to discuss secretary applications, I use this as an opportunity to put my plan into motion. Throwing out all my preconceived thoughts about Wes, I need to focus on the present and leave the past where it belongs; behind us.

  Taking a deep breath I knock twice on the wooden door, and wait for him to invite me inside.

  “Come in,” he says. His voice echoing throughout the office.

  I place my body between the door and the frame, “Hey, are you free?”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  I walk into the office and toward the desk. “I was hoping we could run through this application form, so I can have it ready by the end of the day.”

  His eyes unabashedly roam every inch of me, but the words that come out of his mouth are polite and unexpected. “I’m so grateful for the time you’ve put in here, Ave. You’ve really made a difference to my business.”

  My stomach flutters, like a teeneager in high school. Did he just compliment me?

  “Uh, you’re welcome,” I stutter.

  He stretches his arm over the desk, “Show me what you’ve come up with so far.”

  I hand him the mock up application form. It’s got a few questions about past experience, but more importantly I’ve centred questions around creativity, initiative and knowledge of social media.

  His eyes quickly scan the paper, “this looks good, but do you think all these questions are relevant?” He runs his hand through his beard, as he thinks of what to say next. “I just need someone to know how to answer the phones, Ave. Not all this rocket science shit.”

  “Did you not just tell me what I did was great?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you need someone great to keep it going." I insist.

  “Someone greater than you?”

  “Even though we both know it’s impossible, we can try and find someone just as close.” I quip.

  “I doubt it,” he winks.

  The banter becomes familiar again, and my body begins to flutter in excitement. I realize we feed off the verbal foreplay, and that’s not what I walked in here for.

  Even though Wes owns this business, he needs someone who will care about it as much as he does. I want to find a kick ass secretary that helps him get the success he deserves.

  I lean on the edge of the desk and cross my arms over my chest. Turning my head I make eye contact with Wes, and explain to him the importance of finding the right replacement, the only way he will understand

  “Listen Wes, I thought you wanted to kick Magnus’ lumberjack ass from here into next week. Did I get that wrong? Are you okay with him always being number one?”

  “Fuck no,” he says without hesitation. He gets up, walking around the desk to stand right in front of me. I straighten my body so we’re toe to toe.

  “So,” I clap my hands with enthusiasm. “We’re going to do it my way then. Find someone kick ass and then kick. His. Ass.”

  “You’re kinda cute when you’re all passionate about something.”

  I ignore the compliment and stick to the plan. “You wanna win, Wes?”

  Uncharacteristically, he taps the end of my nose, “I get your point Ave, I’ll hire a kick ass secretary.”

  The rest of the day has gone off without a hitch. Wes left to check up on some jobs and I’ve finally got a spare minute to focus on the secretary ad. Only online for three hours and already it has one hundred views. Who would’ve thought something could conjure up this much interest in uninteresting Piney View. I look through the applications and narrow down the most plausible options. Sending emails, I let the handful of successful candidates know when they can come in for their interviews. I black out a few hours on Wes’s schedule and send him an email letting him know when he has to be in the office. In minutes I get a confirmation from him, and I smile at Wes’ new found friendship with technology. Soon enough I’ll turn him into a modern day tech genius, and he won’t know what hit him.

  I glance at the top of the screen and see it’s almost the end of the day. I’ve been fighting the urge to message BigBadWolf all day, but I think as far as “rules” go a few hours in between texts is sufficient. Seeing his username on my screen, it’s safe to assume he doesn’t care about the “rules”

  BigBadWolf: How did your day go?

  Me: Hey, it went better than expected. How’s your day been?

  BigBadWolf: Really good.

  Biting on my nails, I toss up between continuing the conversation or just waiting for him to text again later, when another message appears on the screen.

  BigBadWolf: You and your boss get along today?

  Me: Surprisingly, I would call today a success.

  BigBadWolf: That’s good to hear, I knew you could do it.

  Not ready for the conversation to end, I figure I can dig a little deeper and hopefully find out more about mystery guy. Well at least his name, because referring to him as BigBadWolf feels like the setup for a real tacky porn video.

  Me: I gotta say I’m curious as to why you want my boss and I to get along so bad.

  BigBadWolf: Let’s just say I know what it’s like to be misunderstood and us guys gotta stick together; help each other out whenever we can.

  Me: LOL

  Me: So, If I’m supposed to make things right with my boss; what’s in it for you?

  BigBadWolf: I get to show off my new age sensitive type of guy persona. Everyone knows chicks dig it.

  I laugh out loud at his response, feeling somewhat refreshed by his honesty.

  Me: Touché. Well I appreciate your sensitive side, your little bit of advice made my day a little bit more bearable.

  My phone rings while in my hand and I don’t finish off my message. I quickly answer the unknown number, only to hear an out of breath Lucy, on the other line.

  “Lucy, what’s wrong?” I ask. “Why didn’t you call me on your phone?”

  “Sorry, it died. I’m just at the hospital --”

  “What’s wrong?” I repeat. Cutting her off mid sentence.

  “Mom’s awake.”

  A loud breath of relief leaves my lungs. I don’t think twice as I grab my bag, with the phone still on my ear and walk straight out of the office. My mom’s a
wake.

  “I’m coming.”

  14

  Wes

  As much as I want to rush right to the hospital to be there with Avery and Lucy, I know they need this time with their mom. I was surprised when I received the call from Lucy that she’d woken up and a little annoyed that Avery didn’t reach out. We’re developing a friendship to go along with all the pent up attraction. Why is she so stubborn all the time?

  Tucking thoughts of Avery away, I finish my work, focusing on what needs to be done. Being distracted and handling a chainsaw is a bad combination and a good way to get hurt - lose a limb kind of hurt.

  On the way home, I swing by the after school program Jeremiah goes to a few days a week. Lucy asked me to pick him up and hang out with him until they get home later. She doesn’t want him to know his grandmother is awake yet until she has a better grasp on what kind of condition she’s in. The doctors made it clear she could be physically or mentally impaired as a result of the stroke. I hope for all their sakes, she’s not. I don’t know if Avery or Lucy are really prepared for that possibility.

  I grill burgers, dogs and make mac and cheese for dinner, before we play some catch. Jeremiah is getting pretty good at putting some power behind his throws. When he tires of that, we decide to take a swim. We race from one end to the other doing the dog paddle, which is a lot harder than I remember as a kid. He nearly beats me on the first two laps and the third time I quit halfway across instead, picking him up and throwing him through the air. It’s Jeremiah’s favorite thing to do and the peals of his laughter have me grinning from ear to ear.

  “Jeremiah, it’s time to get out,” Lucy calls out to him, surprising us. Neither of us even heard her sneak up in that special way that only mothers can.

  “Aw, mom. I don’t want to get out. Pleeease can I stay?”

  She stands unaffected by his begging, with her hands on her hips, shaking her head.

  “Please, please, pleeease, mom?” Jeremiah holds his hands up like he’s praying. The kid got his aunt’s dramatic gene, that’s for sure.

  Speaking of Avery...my eyes sweep the area, searching for her. I scowl when I don’t find her anywhere.

  “Okay, bud. Time to get out. We can continue this tomorrow night.” I usher him out of the pool in front of me.

  “Mom, you’re no fun,” Jeremiah announces as he takes the towel she holds out, wrapping himself inside.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard that before. Let’s go buster. Get moving. It’s almost nine o’clock and way past your bedtime.”

  “Night, Wes,” he calls out as he’s about to enter the house.

  “Night, Jer,” I say and then turn to Lucy. “How’s your mom?”

  She smiles. “Good, thanks for asking. She’s in better shape than we expected. They’re going to send her to a rehab facility in a couple of days.”

  “That’s great. I’m relieved for you guys.” I pick up my towel, running it over my face and hair.

  “Yeah, tell me about it. I’m going to get Jer to bed.” She gives me a tired smile and runs a hand over her ponytail.

  “Luce, where’s Avery?” I ask running a hand through my overgrown hair.

  “I’m not sure. She was quiet all the way back from the hospital and she wouldn’t tell me why. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Once Lucy is gone, I finish wiping my chest down and wrap the towel around my hips. I slip my slides on, then grab my shirt, phone and keys from the chair. Once inside the house, my mission is to find Avery and see how she’s doing. When I don’t find her in the kitchen or the dining room, I move on to the living room. She’s sitting in the middle of the couch, curled into a ball. I can tell even in the dim lighting with only one lamp switched on that something’s bothering her. I take the seat next to her, dropping my things on the end table. Patiently I wait for her to say something to break the silence, but she doesn’t.

  “What’s wrong, Avery?” I need to know so I can make her feel better.

  She shrugs her shoulders and sighs.

  “Tell me what’s on your mind,” I encourage.

  She chews on her bottom lip and then glances in my direction. Her eyes are shining with unshed tears. “I’m relieved my mom woke up and I had a chance to talk to her again.”

  “And that’s got you upset?”

  “No, that’s because of all the time I’ve been away. I haven’t been home in eight years and I’m drowning in guilt thinking about it. What if my mother had died?” she whispers, a tear slowly trailing down her cheek.

  I catch her tear with my thumb and wipe it on my towel. “She didn’t die, though,” I say, then lift her into my lap. She collapses against me with a sigh, wrapping her arms around my neck. I cradle the back of her head as her cheek rests on my chest. “Your mom’s going to be fine, Avery. There’s nothing for you to worry about. She needed you and you came.” My fingers slowly move up and down her spine in a soothing manner. Her breath is warm on my skin. Holding her like this, comforting her is strangely satisfying.

  “I don’t know how I’m supposed to return to California. She’s not getting any younger and it’s not fair to dump everything on Lucy. She has her hands full with Jeremiah as it is.”

  “You’re worrying about things that you don’t need to. Why don’t you take it one day at a time and

  see what happens. I bet you’ll know what to do when the time comes.”

  “I hope so,” she murmurs, nuzzling her soft cheek against me. My chest squeezes with longing. I wish she’d stay here and never return to California. We could continue to get to know each other better. Maybe something romantic would develop between us.

  Unfortunately, that’s never going to happen. She’s not the type of girl who’d be happy living here. She needs the bright lights and excitement of the city, not the simple pleasures of country living.

  Sinking back against the cushions, I pull her with me, keeping her close in my arms. The silence only broken by the sound of our breathing is oddly comforting. I don’t want this moment to end.

  Avery’s breaths slow and I can tell by the way she’s relaxed into me, she’s asleep. Knowing she’s comfortable in my arms does peculiar things to my stomach. I’m on a roller coaster with her and I never want to get off.

  After holding her for another hour, I know it’s time to put her to bed when my leg begins to tingle from sitting in one position too long. Sliding an arm under her knees, I rise to my feet with her secure in my arms. My towel falls to the floor and I kick it out of the way. Carefully, I climb the stairs, then move down the hallway to the guest room at the far end.

  Avery, doesn’t even stir as I flip the lamp on next to the bed or as I pull her comforter down, not

  even as I gently place her on the sheet. My eyes trace over her, hungrily drinking in her slumbering form. What would it be like to go to sleep beside her - to wake up with her beautiful eyes the first thing I see? I hope I get the opportunity to find out. Even if it’s only temporary, I’ll take it. I’ve never wanted anything so much.

  Leaning down, I brush a kiss on her beautiful lips and then her forehead. “Sweet dreams, Ave.”

  15

  Avery

  My body jolts up in a panic, my alarm should’ve gone off by now. I look down and notice I’m in the same clothes from yesterday. The last thing I remember is sitting on the couch talking to Wes, but how I got from the living room to my bed is still a mystery. Throwing the covers off my body, I go to find my cell and figure out how late I am to work.

  I bump into Lucy just as I step out of the doorway.

  “Morning,” she says, stopping me in my tracks.

  “Hey, have you seen my phone?” I ask. “It wasn’t in my room and my alarm didn’t go off. I’m sure I’m late for work.”

  “I was just coming to tell you I spoke to Wes, and we agreed you can have the day off.”

  I push past her, “I can’t, those phones can’t afford to be unattended.”

 
“Wes said it was ok,” she calls behind her.

  I find my bag, and pull my cell out. There are a million notifications on my screen, but I swipe the screen and find Wes’ number and call him.

  “Avery, you okay?” He says quickly.

  “Yeah, I’m just letting you know I’ll be at work in forty five minutes.”

  “No, you won’t.” He argues. “I’ve got it covered.”

  “You’ll fall behind answering phones all day, I know how much you hate it.”

  “I called Maria and she’s coming in for the day,” he explains. “You needed that sleep in and I want you to go spend the day with your mom. After all that’s what you came for.”

  At the mention of my mom, the conversation we had last night pops into my head. I’m grateful for Wes’ unexpected kindness, because a day with mom sounds perfect.

  “Are you sure Wes? We’ve got interviews tomorrow and I don’t want work piling up for you.”

  “Ave, I got this. Spend the day with your mom, okay?” I hear a few more voices come closer, interrupting Wes. “Can you hold on a sec?” he asks. I wait for a minute and his voice seemingly closer, signals his return “Hey. Sorry about that, but I got to get back to it. Enjoy your day and call if you need me.”

  He hangs up quickly and I realize he never says bye. Taking the phone off my ear, I decide to send him a text, to show how appreciative I am.

  Me: Thanks again. It means alot.

  His response comes fast, and has the butterflies swarming in my stomach.

  Wes: Anything for you.

  After getting Jeremiah ready and dropped off at school, Luce and I make our way to the hospital. As we walk in the room, it’s evident the mood has changed. Mom’s regular upbeat presence warms the usually sterile room. Laying down with her eyes closed, but the smallest hint of a smile, a lump in my throat forms and that feeling of simultaneous regret and relief returns. Lucy nudges me in the back, giving me a much needed push. I walk in and sit in the chair closest to the hospital bed.