I look at her in surprise. “I’m a bit more tired than usual, but it’s a good thing. I haven’t been sick. Do I look like I have?”
She shrugs. “Last night you looked out of sorts, especially after the phone call you had.”
I force out a breath. “It was a call from my father.”
“I take it you don’t have a great relationship?” Avery asks.
“I wish I could say things were different, but over the years, it’s gotten even worse. He’s used to bossing me around with certain things, and he’s found a way to take it to another level.”
“Are you okay? What can I do to help?”
I smile. “I’m good for now, but thank you, Avery. I appreciate it. There are a lot of things I want to do, and I’m learning how to navigate that with a very controlling father.”
“That’s hard,” she says, shaking her head. “What are you going to do?”
“He gave me an ultimatum a few days ago, and last night I told him I couldn’t go through with what he wanted. He hung up.”
“Standing up for yourself is uncomfortable, but necessary. I know the advice you gave me has helped me find more confidence in my business.”
I laugh. “I’m not sure I want the world to know about yourcoffee shop now,” I say teasingly. “I’m not going to be able to make it to the front of the line before you run out of things.”
She nudges me with her elbow. “As nice as that sounds, I don’t think it will get to that point.”
There’s a comfortable silence between us, and I’m feeling grateful. Sure, I came out here on a whim because of what Wolfgang demanded, but it’s the exact thing I needed in my life.
“Hello, Max,” says a female voice. I glance up to see Maria Matthews walking toward us.
There’s a shift in Avery’s posture, and I turn to see her glaring at the woman.
“Has your boss given you the green light for anymore purchases?” Maria asks. It’s only then that her gaze shifts to Avery, and the smile is gone, replaced by a stony expression. “Do you two know each other?”
“We do, actually. How is Joey doing?” Avery asks, an edge in her tone.
“Keep my son’s name out of your mouth,” Maria says, and I’m surprised how quickly her demeanor changed.
“As long as he’s not bullying my niece, I have no problems with you,” Avery says.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Maria says, taking a step forward. “I have things to do.”
I glance at Maria and then Avery, trying to put the pieces together of what just happened.
Avery sees my curiosity and says, “Joey is the kid Lila punched.”
Light bulb moment. “I forgot. Then again, I wonder if he’s trying to get attention because of…her?” I tilt my head to where Maria had gone.
Avery’s irritation fades. “Probably. I mean, I can understand it. But, ugh. When we were in the principal’s office, she said, ‘Do you know who I am?’”
“People like that tend to be more insecure than most.”
“What did she mean when she asked about your boss purchasing more properties?”
I let out a slow breath. “I think she was the one who put the deal together for your building. And a few others.”
Understanding seems to hit Avery. “That’s interesting.”
We head upstairs, and I open the door to the apartment. We walk in, and I set the bags on the dining table.
“Oh, I was going to text you last night, but I don’t have your number,” he says, with a sly grin. The way he says it isn’t in a pushy way, more teasing. “Did you send those invoices already?”
