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“Sorry, I was distracted.”
Rhys was silent for a few beats, then he grunted, “Why do I have the feeling this is about a woman?”
I grinned wickedly, glad he couldn’t see it. “Some of us aren’t afraid to go after the woman we want, Rhys,” I needled.
Rhys had been in love with the same woman for the last eight years, but he hadn’t done one fucking thing about it. I wasn’t sure if he’d deluded himself into believing he didn’t have feelings for Emma or if he was just too chicken shit to act on them.Or both.Granted, she was his step-sister, but they were adults now, no one would care about their familial ties—okay, her twin brother might have something to say about it. Still, I gave him grief over it from time to time, just to see if he was ready to get his head out of his ass.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but if that’s your way of telling me you found yourself a girl dumb enough to fall for your charms, I’m happy for you.”
“Found her. She’s my new assistant. Haven’t quite gotten to the falling for me part yet,” I admitted. “But, back to Emma…”
“No one is discussing Emmaline,” Rhys growled.
He sounded particularly irritated, and I grinned, knowing he was grumpiest when he’d spent time with his step-sister, Emma.
“Miles in town?” I asked about Emma’s twin, the quarterback for the Phoenix Dragons.
My older brother, Hunter, was his agent, and he’d mentioned that Miles was in New York City for a charity event. Whenever Miles was in town, it was difficult for Rhys and Emma to avoid each other.
Rhys just grunted and I chuckled, earning myself another growl from my friend before he launched into a discussion about a new account. Rhys and I had met during our freshman year at Columbia University and although he stayed in New York, and I’d gone home to Florida after graduation, we started this company together. He’d commuted between Miami and NYC, but as MC Creative Agency grew into a Fortune 500 company, we opened an official office in New York City. Besides handling the business there, he was involved in politics and was considering a run for Mayor of New York City.
We were wrapping up our conversation when Avery appeared at her desk. As usual, my door was open, so when she peeked into my office, I waved her in. “Come in. You don’t have to knock on my door, Avery,” I told her with a smile. “Even if it’s closed, you can always come in.” She frowned, so I added, “My assistant needs to have full access to me.”Especially if she’s my wife.I kept the last part to myself.
Rhys snorted, reminding me he was still on the line.Jackass.
If Avery noticed, she didn’t mention it. She just nodded, seeming to accept my bullshit explanation.
“Rhys, I’ll call you after the pitch. I need to go.”
Before I could hang up, Rhys asked, “Avery? Your new assistant?”
“Yes,” I muttered, annoyed that he was taking up my time with her.
“Avery Williams?”
“Hey, Rhys,” Avery mumbled, shuffling her feet awkwardly.
“Well, this is a coincidence,” Rhys chuckled.
My brows rose to my hairline at the familiarity in their exchange. “You two know each other?” An irrational surge of jealousy rushed through me. I didn’t like that Rhys had a history with my girl. But I stamped it down and forced myself to appear unruffled by the situation.
“Avery grew up a few blocks from us,” Rhys explained. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, freckles.”
Irritation flashed on Avery’s face at the nickname, but then she smirked. “What he meant to say was that his sister is one of my best friends.”
“Step-sister,” he emphasized in a gritty tone—probably from clenching his jaw.
I stifled a laugh and Avery grinned, her pretty green eyes twinkling with amusement. “Oops,” she chirped.
Rhys sighed, but his voice was lighter when he spoke again. “We’ll have to catch up next time I’m in town. Congratulations on your new job, freckl—Avery. If you have any trouble working for that asshole, if he crosses a line, you let me know.”
I glared at the phone and Avery laughed. “Thanks. But I think I can handle him.”
My lips curled up and I quirked an eyebrow, making her blush crimson when she realized the other ways her comment could be interpreted.
“I’m sure you can,” Rhys replied with a chuckle. “Never-the-less, I expect you to behave, Gabe.”
I rolled my eyes and grunted, “Goodbye,” then disconnected the call.
