Dare to Hold (Dare to Love 4)

“Toss me that before you go?”

Ella grabbed the phone from beside the computer and squealed as she handed Avery the cell. “Looks like Mr. Tangled Royal surfaced.”

Avery’s eyes opened wide as she stared at Grey’s name on the screen.

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nbsp; “I’m calling later for all the details,” Ella called out with glee, before heading out of the room.

* * *

Grey listened to the cell phone ring, wondering if Avery would answer or if he’d waited too long. Tangled Royal had finished up their tour, throughout which Grey had sent a steady stream of gifts corresponding to the things Avery said she liked on her blog, Avery’s Attitude. He wished he could take credit for being so creatively smart, but it had been Lola’s idea, as a way to get back into Avery’s good graces. Or at the very least, it was a start.

The first gift and card he’d sent contained his private cell and he’d asked her to text him. She had. Which had started a stilted and hesitant back and forth between them. Lola was right, it had been a good opening gambit. Then Milo had OD’d and everything in his life had screeched to a halt as they’d tried to help their friend. The early days of rehab hadn’t been easy. He’d threatened to leave, Lola had cried, Grey had begged and done everything short of taking his best friend’s place himself, to get him to stick it out.

By then the band had fulfilled their concert commitments. Lola had cemented her relationship with Rep and decided to buy a place on secluded, private Star Island, and Grey had put in motion the process of buying out both Lola and Rep’s leases. The condo board had finally approved his application, speeding things up because of his interest in the two apartments on the same floor. Lola’s side, he intended to turn into a sound proof studio.

He was finally ready to come home.

All of which had occupied his time. Not to the exclusion of Avery. Never that. He just wanted to be settled before approaching her again. If they had any chance of seeing what could be in the future, she had to believe the life he desired now wasn’t the one he’d wanted then. Or the one she’d seen backstage.

Just as he thought her voicemail would pick up, he heard her familiar voice. “Hello?”

The soft, dulcet tones settled something deep in his bones. “Hey there,” he said, suddenly at a loss for how to handle her.

“This is a surprise.”

“I told you I’d call when I got to town.” And she hadn’t believed him. The thought showed him just how much work he had ahead of him. Good thing he wasn’t afraid of working for what he wanted.

She cleared her throat. “So you just got back?”

“No, I’ve been here for a week or so. I wanted …” Fuck. How did he say this? “I’d rather fill you in in person.”

“Grey, I’m really not sure –”

“Give me a chance to just talk to you. If after that you don’t even want to be friends, I’ll back off.” He was lying through his teeth but that was okay. All he wanted, needed, was the opportunity to test their chemistry again. To let her see that what they’d shared as kids could be even more solid as adults.

The silence on the other end of the phone nearly killed him. But he waited, opting not to pressure her.

“Okay,” she finally agreed. “But someplace out of the way. Quiet.”

“I already made a reservation at Quinto’s,” he said of a mom and pop Mexican place they’d frequented as kids. “Saturday night if you’re free.”

“I loved that restaurant. And I haven’t been there in years.” She blew out a long breath he heard over the line. “Pretty sure of yourself,” she finally muttered.

“Pretty hopeful,” he corrected her. “Can you make it?”

She hesitated before answering. “Yes.”

He refrained from pumping his fist in the air.

“What time?” she asked.

“How is eight?”

“That works. I’ll meet you there.”

“No. I’ll pick you up at seven thirty.”