He shook his head hard. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I don’t deserve it. I’m more ashamed of how I felt about them than I ever was of them.”
She stepped in front of him and clasped his face in her hands. “That’s why you’re such a good man. You aren’t your father. You learn from your mistakes. So you were young and stupid.” She shrugged. “Your mother loves you. Not only will she understand, she’ll be so happy to see you she won’t even think about the past.”
But he would. He’d remember the real estate listings he’d sent them for mansions that required servants, not understanding when they’d turned him down. He wanted them to have anything he could afford. He hadn’t begun to comprehend at the time that money couldn’t buy happiness or fulfillment. Now he knew differently.
Now he had to face them again. And he didn’t want to do it alone. “I know I shouldn’t ask, but will you go with me to visit them? After your meeting.”
“Of course I will,” she said, her eyes suspiciously damp.
“Thank you.”
She smiled. “Now can we get dressed so I can eat my muffin?”
He was ready for a mood lightener. “Not unless I can eat your muffin first.” He squeezed her ass in his hand.
She squealed and turned, taking off for the bedroom. He followed … and it was a long while before they made it downstairs to the bakery.
He drove her home, and she kissed him good-bye and ran into her building, last night’s clothes balled in her hand, his tee shirt and a pair of old running shorts on her sexy body.
* * *
Avery made it home from Grey’s, waved to Ella, and rushed to shower and get ready for their appointment at the hospital. She was running late, which left no time for conversation about Avery’s love life on the way to the hospital. Instead they prepped for the meeting.
By the time they survived the pitch and discussion with the ever-so-pleasant Dr. McCann, Avery was exhausted. And being woken up by Grey’s tongue and other body parts last night was only part of the reason. She was sore in places she hadn’t known existed, and muscles she’d rarely used felt a sweet ache that reminded her of Grey. She’d done her best to keep her mind on task and any goofy smile off her face during the meeting. She’d have plenty of time to revisit things later and sort out her overwhelming feelings.
By the time she walked out of their meeting with Dr. McCann, she was glad she’d scheduled the meeting before Ella’s upcoming business trip, so she could have her friend there with her, pushing the cause. Ella often volunteered too, both of them having a unique perspective and understanding of both the patients and their situations. The prom was a dream they shared, and both were determined to make something special happen for these children.
Dr. McCann had been his usual dour self, but he was impressed with the idea. Avery waited until they rounded a corner, made certain they were alone, and turned to her friend.
“Well? What’s your take?”
Ella leaned against the nearest wall and groaned. “I’m cautiously optimistic. I just got the feeling that he didn’t think we could pull this off with no budget. Easier to put the load on us than to just say no,” she muttered.
Avery nodded. “That’s his M.O. But we are going to show him what happens when he challenges two determined women. At least he said we can hold the event at the hospital. I’d have been willing to ask my father for a ballroom at his hotel, but then the most critically ill kids would have missed out.”
And those were the kids whose smiles she wanted to see the most. “And this way nobody has to leave the premises. They’ll have medical staff and equipment surrounding them should they need it.”
Ella’s eyes swam with relief at that too. “So venue is one thing we can cross off our to-do list.” She glanced at her notepad. Avery had a similar list in her purse. “But now we have to find music, get the food donated, handle setup, and clean up ourselves, not to mention everything we already have to plan for pre-prom.”
Avery nodded. “Dresses for all ages, tuxedoes for the boys, the makeup, hair …” Her shoulders drooped as the list grew. “And Dr. McCann won’t agree until we have all our i’s dotted and t’s crossed.”
“In blood,” Ella muttered.
Avery blew out a long breath, meant to be an agreement. “But we can do this.” It would take every bit of persistence and connections they had, but Avery had faith.
“We can,” Ella agreed. “So now that that’s settled, tell me about last night. Because I can’t remember the last time you didn’t come home. Or remember to text or call if you weren’t.” She folded her arms over her chest and pinned Avery with her best mom stare.
Avery winced. “I’m sorry if you were worried.”
“I knew you were with Grey, so I wasn’t worried. I am, however, curious.”
“It was … amazing,” Avery admitted, feeling her cheeks blush and her body flush with warmth.
“I’m really happy for you. I knew you two had unresolved feelings,” Ella said, sounding pleased with her powers of deduction.
“Yes, well, we’re working out those feelings.”