Avery’s jaw dropped. “Give it up, sista. Who is it?”
Brenda turned toward her office. “See you on Tuesday.”
Avery glanced at Liam, a sneaky smile on her face. “C’mon, Brenda. I won’t tell anyone.”
“You don’t know him.” Brenda slammed her office door.
Avery turned to Liam. “Him?” she said in a rough whisper.
Yeah, Liam wasn’t all that sure of Brenda’s sexual orientation either.
“I’m going to want details on Tuesday!” Avery yelled out.
Brenda met her comment with silence.
“You’re never going to get details out of that one.”
Avery looked at him like he was an idiot. “Don’t underestimate me.”
They parted at the locker rooms.
“Meet you outside in ten?” was all he asked. Hoping to make a habit out of an after session drink.
She narrowed her eyes. “Okay, but it isn’t a date.”
“Of course not.” Yes it is . . . kinda.
She walked out of the gym wearing the clothes she’d run in with.
Liam looked at what he was wearing. Jeans and a pullover shirt.
“I think Pug’s is a bad idea in this,” she said, indicating her dress.
Liam knew he wouldn’t be the only one admiring her curves if she walked into the dingy bar.
“Do you have another suggestion?”
“A few blocks away.”
He looked at her feet. “I can drive.”
She smiled. “I was born in heels. C’mon.”
“I thought Brenda was a lesbian,” Avery started with once they’d rounded the first corner outside.
Liam thought about that for a few seconds. “She scares me.”
Avery laughed. “Yeah, I get that. She knows her shit, though.”
“Total respect.”
They stopped at an intersection and waited for the light. “It would take a strong man to take her on. Can you imagine their sex life?”
Liam squeezed his eyes shut. “I really don’t want to think about her that way.”
“Headlocks and takedowns.”
He took hold of Avery’s elbow when the light changed and conveniently didn’t let it go. “Brenda’s sex life is not the image I want in my head, thank you very much.”
“No, really. What kinda guy is into someone like her? He either has to be a total sub to her dom or so completely badass she can just be a girl.”
Liam knew Avery hadn’t clued in that he was wrapped around her arm as they walked down the street. And like a teenage boy who felt he was getting away with something, he just grinned and didn’t let on. “You’ve given this a lot of thought.”
“Not until tonight. Brenda’s gettin’ lucky.” Avery did a little dance.
“You’re really excited about this.”
“I am.” They walked another block. “And if you think I haven’t noticed that you’re holding my arm, you’d be wrong.”
Liam nearly stumbled.
“But I’m a little cold, so I’m going with it.”
He kept silent and kept walking.
Chapter Eight
Avery took him to Bailey’s. It wasn’t upscale or a dive. It was just a neighborhood place that the locals knew about that wasn’t frequented by tourists or bums. For a bonus, they could get food. Since she’d missed dinner, a meal was necessary.
She led Liam into the bar and sat at an empty table in the middle of the room.
She dropped her gym bag under her feet and Liam followed suit. “Unlike Pug’s, it’s safe to order a drink here.”
It wasn’t long before the waitress walked up to the table. “Hey, Avery.”
“Hi, Nikki.”
“I haven’t seen you in a while.”
Avery looked at Liam. “I’ve been busy.”
Nikki took Liam in . . . from head to toe. “I can see why.”
Smiling, Avery shook her head. “Vodka martini, Grey Goose.”
Nikki winked. “And for you?”
“Maker’s Mark.”
“Neat or on ice?”
“Ice.”
“You got it.”
Liam turned to Avery. “You know the waitress?”
“I live close by.” As in one block over and one block up. If she looked hard enough, she could see her condo from the street.
“I didn’t realize you lived in the city.”
She lifted her hand in the air. “Central to everything, lots of restaurants.”
“Krav.”
“That, too.”
“How long have you lived here?”
“About a year and a half. What about you? Are you in the city?”
He shook his head. “Atwater Village. Still central but far enough away.”
Low-key, nothing too fancy. Not seedy. Funny how savvy Avery had become since she’d joined the working world.
“And you’re a handyman?”
Liam paused. “Kinda.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’ll do side jobs, like the ones that Brenda needed, for extra cash.”
“So what’s your day job?”
He didn’t answer right away. “I’m a contractor. Currently working on a loft space here in the city.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Why would I kid you on that?”
“You’re a licensed contractor?”
“Yes.”
So why was she wasting her time at mixers when the man who was tossing her around on a mat did the very thing she needed advice on?
“Do you work on single-family homes?”
“That’s where I started. Still do on occasion . . . why?”
She rested her head in her hands.
“Avery?”
Her head shot up at the sound of a female voice calling her name.
“Lori?”
Oh, damn . . .
Avery leaned close to Liam’s ear. “She doesn’t know about krav. I’ll explain later.”
She scooted closer and painted on a smile.
When Lori was at their table, Avery detached from Liam’s side and stood for a hug. “What are you doing here? Where’s Reed?”
Lori eyed Liam while she answered the questions. “Reed’s on his way down. We’re going out to dinner. Wanted a drink first.”
What were the chances of Lori excusing herself before Avery was forced to make an introduction?
Lori reached out a hand toward Liam. “I’m Lori.”
Liam stood; a broad smile matched his broad chest. “Liam Holt.” Once he released Lori’s hand, he pulled out a barstool. “Sit, we just ordered drinks.”
Avery wanted to elbow his ribs.
Instead, she smiled.
Liam signaled for Nikki.
“Liam, huh? Avery hasn’t mentioned you.”
He pulled Avery’s chair closer to his and waited for her to sit. “We haven’t known each other long.”
Lori sent a questioning look to Avery. Instead of adding to Liam’s explanation, she sat beside him and acted like they had a more personal relationship than partners in a krav class. Lori would expect nothing less and ask fewer questions than if Avery and Liam appeared to be just friends.
“I’ve known Lori for a few years. We live in the same building.”
“What do you do, Liam?”
Small talk . . . Is that what this was going to be?
Lori signaled Reed when he walked in the door. “This is my husband.”
Avery laughed. “You love saying that, don’t you?”
Lori nodded.
“They’re newlyweds,” Avery explained.
Once again Liam stood when Reed approached the table.
“Look who I found,” Lori said.
Reed kissed Avery’s cheek. “I haven’t seen you here in a while.”
“That’s because you two never come up for air,” Avery teased.
“This is Liam . . . Avery’s friend.” Yeah, Lori wanted more details.
The men shook hands.
“Have I ever met one of your friends?” he asked.
Avery glared. “Smooth, Reed . . . really smooth.”
Lori nudged her husband’s arm. “Stop teasing.” She turned her focus on Liam. “Avery keeps her private life private.”
Avery tried not to flinch when Liam placed a hand over hers. “I’ve figured that out recently.”
“How did you two meet?” Reed asked.
Avery said “The gym” at the same time Liam said “A bar.”
Lori’s lawyer radar spiked. Avery saw it in her eyes. “Those two things are worlds apart.”
She caught Liam’s hand and squeezed.
“The first time I saw you was at Pug’s. I approached you at the gym.”
“I knew it. That was you at Pug’s. How did you figure out where I worked out?” She’d been asking herself that question for over a week.
“That wasn’t hard. Leslie had a gym bag.”
“Who’s Leslie?” Lori asked.
Avery didn’t look away from Liam. “A friend. So your job at the gym wasn’t on accident?”
“I might have approached Brenda about a side job so I could meet you.”
Avery’s jaw dropped.
“Who’s Brenda?” Reed asked.
“The owner of the gym,” Avery and Liam said at the same time. “How did you know I was there on Tuesday and Friday nights?” She wasn’t sure if his actions were exciting or scary.
“Appointment book. Brenda’s office is always open.”
“Wait, wait, wait.” Lori placed a hand between the two of theirs. “You see Avery in a bar. You search out the location of her gym, follow her to it, get a job there, and now you’re both here having drinks?”
Liam offered a brief, unapologetic nod.
Lori grabbed Avery’s hand. “How well do you know this guy?”
Avery liked the gleam in Liam’s eyes. “He’s safe.”