AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Yes, sir, Lieutenant, sir. JK. See you then. Can’t wait.
Even after several weeks of being back in LA and dating, I absolutely loved being able to send Avery that sort of text, knowing full well that he loved surprises, directions, and the opportunity to be sexy and sassy, not always in that order.
“Well, I’d ask how you’ve been, but one look at your face tells the story.” Harley appeared at the edge of my desk. I had been finishing up paperwork from my latest assignment at A-List headquarters, and I discreetly moved my phone to under a pile of reports, not that Harley likely missed a damn thing.
“Nah. I can play poker as well as you, Chief.” I teased back. It was good to see him back in the office. Another season of the filming of Ambrose’s show was complete, and they’d returned in time for Harley to keep us all in line for the summer while Duncan was back and forth managing security for Ezra’s latest tour.
“So that wasn’t you texting with Haskins?” Harley gave me a pointed look. “Making Friday-night plans?”
“Not gonna lie, Chief.” I chuckled because he so had my number. “And please tell me those plans don’t need to include overtime. We’ve got reservations.”
“Because, of course, you do.” He rolled his eyes like his guy wasn’t as big a foodie as me and as if the two of them weren’t trying new places all the time too. He handed me a paper with a colorful invitation featuring several dogs. “Make room in your busy planner for Danny and Cash’s latest party coming up. Bring Avery.”
“That won’t be weird?” I’d bring him no matter what, but probably good to get the question out in the open, make sure there were no hard feelings. Avery had been working on the new movie with Liam and Andre for a few weeks now, and his exit from A-List had been on good terms with a jolly going-away breakfast full of donuts and joking around. Everyone in the office knew we were dating, but actually showing up together as a couple versus keep-it-professional at work was a little different.
“You dating a former coworker is the least weird relationship thing to happen to A-List.” Harley laughed so hard he needed to lean against the desk to catch his breath. “Yes, bring Avery. Tell him everyone misses him, but Cash is working stunts on that movie he’s helping with, and reports are Haskins is doing great with the costume crew.”
“He is.” I didn’t bother to keep the pride from my voice. “He did a couple of OT sessions focused on using his prosthesis effectively with a sewing machine, and now he’s even more of an asset to Liam. He’s learning inventory and design software too.”
“See? Told you.” Harley clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re lit up like Times Square. I don’t have to ask how you are or if you’re sleeping, and I assume Avery would kick your ass if you ditched your therapy.”
“I’m good. Really, really good.” I grinned at him. PTSD was always going to be a part of my life, but now it was a smaller slice, a more manageable piece, and for that, I was grateful. “And I start a new therapy Sunday, actually.”
“The LT told me. You, a group of younger vets, and a bunch of horses. What could go wrong?”
“You wanna join us?” I waggled my eyebrows at him. My ribs were fully healed and my boot was finally off, and I was ridiculously excited for the horse therapy veterans-only class Cole had helped me find. Surprisingly, getting kicked by the horse hadn’t made me afraid of horses. If anything, it gave me new sympathy for the animals. Being scared and helpless was the worst, and if I could help the horses, maybe I could help myself and others like me as well. “Bet the organizers could find a spot for you.”
“Me? I’m a cranky old chief who likes sleeping in when the dog lets us. But you go fight the good fight. Proud of you.” He gave me a sharp nod, and his approval was worth even more than him volunteering to come along. He and Duncan both knew how important my outreach efforts were to me, and their support was making it possible for me to achieve my goals of serving other vets.
“Thanks.”
“You getting Haskins on a horse?” Harley sounded as skeptical about Avery on a horse as Avery had looked when I’d suggested it.
“He’s letting it be my thing.” Honestly, that was healthy, us having a few separate hobbies. We ate together, gamed together, and watched plenty of TV on my couch, so a few hours apart wasn’t a big deal. “Besides, he’s been summoned for more wedding shopping by his sister.”
“Has he figured out yet that she’s gonna keep finding fault with every wedding dress in LA until he designs the damn thing himself?” Harley must have heard me joking with Duncan earlier in the week. I was convinced Megan had reached new heights of pickiness to keep Avery involved in the wedding dress selection process. She praised all his sewing samples like he’d invented the machine himself, and her big-sister cheerleading was adorable, regardless of whether she had an ulterior motive.
