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“Pub on Friday?”
“Yes, mate!” Luke grinned. “Eth?”
“I’ll be there. Hopefully.”
“You’d better be.” Alex prodded me with a finger. “If you don’t sort all this shit out with your woman, I’m setting you up with one of mine.”
“Please don’t.”
“The best way to get over someone is by getting under someone else, remember.”
“Alex. Please.”
“You can set me up, just saying,” Luke interjected.
“Already on it.” Alex smirked at him. “See ya later.” He disappeared with an exaggerated salute, and after saying goodbye to Luke, I headed to my SUV to make the drive home.
Back in my apartment, I scrolled to Delia’s number and sent her a quick message, asking her to see me in my office as soon as she arrived at work on Monday morning. Now all I had to do was wait and hope I could work something out with her help. If Avery would even consider giving me another chance.
“I see.” Delia eyed me, her lips pursed in thought, as I leaned forwards, elbows on my desk, having finished bringing her up to date on the situation. “You know, it’s quite clear to me. You want to be with Avery. She wants to be with you, other than her completely justified reservations about you not having time for her. Am I correct so far?”
I nodded.
“The only obstacle in your way is your…let’s call it…‘obsession’ with work.” She gave me a severe glare. “Remove the obstacle.”
“Remove the obstacle,” I repeated slowly. “How?”
“That, my dear, is something you will have to work out on your own. But if Avery means that much to you, I have faith that you’ll find a way.” She stood, patting my shoulder. “Good luck.”
In the doorway she paused, turning back to look at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I had a premonition that this was what you wanted to talk to me about, so I took the liberty of rescheduling a few things on your calendar. You have the next two hours to come up with a plan.”
As the door closed behind her, I sprang into action, Delia’s comment repeating itself in my head. Remove the obstacle. But how? I paced my office, my mind on overdrive as a plan began to formulate. Avery was mine, and I was hers. It was time to show her just how much she meant to me.
I spent the next hour on the phone making arrangements, then called Luke into my office.
“What do you think?” I watched him carefully as he mulled over my proposal.
“Sounds good to me, mate. I’m happy to go ahead, if you’re sure.” He smirked at me. “I assume this means you’re planning on actually having a life outside of work now? Anything to do with a certain colleague of mine?”
“Yes and yes. Is it that obvious?”
“Other than the fact that you already told me and Alex how you fucked up, and I’ve been waiting to see how you’d redeem yourself? Because I know you, and I know Avery.”
“In that case, yes, it has everything to do with Avery. I can’t get her out of my head. We owe it to ourselves to give it a shot.”
He shook his head at me. “I can’t imagine feeling like that about a woman, but the best of luck to you. You deserve it, and you know I’m always telling you that you work too much. This’ll be good for you.”
“Thanks, I appreciate the support.” I stood, crossing my office to the door. “Time to make the announcement.”
Out in the main office, my eyes went straight to Avery’s desk. She was sitting with her back to me, typing furiously on her computer.
“Good luck, mate. I’ll be at my desk if you need me.” Luke gave me a reassuring nod and strode past me, slipping back into his seat.
I clapped my hands loudly. “Could I have everyone’s attention for a moment, please?” Heads turned, all eyes on me. Avery’s bright blue gaze met mine, a world of pain in her eyes that I hoped beyond anything I could take away.
Here goes nothing.
Clearing my throat, I began.
