Lover Boy: All American Boy

He knows we're just friends. He knows I have boundaries.

"Would you like to come up? I can make us something to snack on and we can watch a movie or play a game, or whatever," she says nervously, wringing her hands in her lap. "Never mind,” she whispers, shaking her head. “I was just being dumb."

"Avery," he says in a low voice, placing his hand on top of her own. "Avery," he says again, this time more forceful, garnering her attention. "I'd love to join you. I'm having a good time, too."

And then he smiles. Even in the dark, Avery can make out his perfect, pearly white teeth. His smile disarms her. She would do just about anything to see that smirk every day.

They walk upstairs to the third-floor apartment and she can't help but rub her hand against her chest, right where her heart used to beat. A sudden pain shoots from the spot she’s rubbing, down through her extremities - the pain so sharp and severe that it steals her breath. Logan glances back when he notices her movements have stopped and asks if she’s ok. Assuring him that she’s fine, they continue to walk up the stairs. The moment he grasps her hand in his own again, the pain evaporates - it completely fades into oblivion.

The landing falls beneath their feet and Avery searches through her bag for the key Nikki handed to her at the bowling alley. Finding the molded piece of metal, she tries to insert it into the lock.

Why is my hand shaking?

After a few fumbling attempts, she finally unlocks the door and leads Logan into the apartment.

"Do you…" she begins with a high-pitched shriek. Avery coughs lightly to clear her throat and attempt again, "Do you want something to drink?"

"Sure, water would be great. Thanks," he says, peering around the apartment.

The apartment looks vastly different from the way it did when he was here last. Avery has clearly spent some time rearranging the furniture and cleaning. He notices a few pictures dangling upon the wall: mostly Aria's drawings.

"These are amazing," he points out, captivated by the small collage Avery designed for Aria's creations.

"Thanks. My, um...” She clears her throat. “My sister drew them. She was really talented."

"Was?" he asks, looking at her with sympathy swimming in his eyes.

Not ready to talk about it, Avery simply nods her head and changes the subject quickly by asking if he wants to play one of the old-school board games she brought with her. They decide on a game of Guess Who and play a few rounds before switching to a game of Uno.

"You should know that I'm extremely competitive."

"That's alright, Logan. You may be competitive, but you'll still lose." Avery chuckles.

"Want to make a wager on that?"

Cheekily she replies, "Maybe," as a blush creeps up her neck.

"Ok, how about whoever loses has to do whatever the winner wants all day tomorrow."

Looking into his eyes, Avery can see the desire swarming behind them, ready to burst free. The spo

t beneath her breast begins to thunder again and she instantly places her hand against her chest.

He continues to stare at her before raising his hand for a shake. "Deal?"

Avery looks at his outstretched hand and then returns his gaze.

"Absolutely," she says, shaking his hand and trying to hide a shiver that races down her spine when their hands connect.

After playing the best two out of three, Avery wins. Logan was angry that she hoarded her "collect" and "skip-a-turn" cards, but she merely insisted that she never claimed she wouldn't play dirty.

Turning her attention to the clock on the wall and realizing that it's still fairly early, they decide to make some popcorn and settle in to watch television.

When Avery returns from the kitchen, she notices two things instantly. First, Logan has tattoos on his biceps that just show past the arm of his shirt. Second, his interest is set on the angel picture of Aria's that she had found when she moved.

She coughs quietly to alert him to her presence and he follows her to the couch.

"I haven't seen anything like that drawing before. The perspective is incredible."