Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 68247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
He parked at the end of the long drive, with the house right in front of them. Lola and Rep had purchased a white Spanish-style home that suited them.
“The landscaping is gorgeous,” Avery murmured, forcing him to see it from her perspective.
Tropical pink flowers, green plants, and palm trees covered the front and allowed for privacy from neighbors who weren’t close by anyway.
“It’s beautiful.”
“So is the house,” she murmured. “It’s not too modern. And I love the stucco and the adobe-colored roof.”
“Me too. But inside? Lola’s taste is . . . eclectic. Wait until you see.”
He rang the doorbell once and opened the unlocked door, letting them inside as Lola would expect him to. “Hello?” he called out.
“Grey!”
Lola ran toward him, a flash of dark hair and crop top as she jumped into his arms and hugged him tight. “It’s been so long!”
A sharp spike of possessiveness ran through Avery, striking her directly in the heart and taking her off guard.
“Lola, let the guy breathe,” a deep voice said as a large man with dark hair and plenty of muscles joined them. “Otherwise I’m going to have to hit your best friend, and I know you don’t want blood on your freshly painted walls.”
Lola jumped down and laughed. “It’s so good to see you!”
“Same here,” Grey said, immediately reaching for Avery’s hand.
The gesture helped calm her nerves and emotions. A little. She really wanted to give the woman a chance, for Grey’s sake.
“Lola and Rep, meet Avery Dare. Avery, this is Lola, she’s insane, and Rep Grissom.”
“It’s good to meet you,” Rep said, capturing her other hand in his.
She met his blue eyes, struck by how good-looking he was . . . in a bulked-up, beefy-football-player way. “I’m sure we’ve been in the same room at a Thunder party, but it’s good to actually be introduced,” she said.
“That’s right, you’re Ian’s little sister.”
“It’s been a burden,” she said, laughing.
Rep glanced at Grey. “I like her.”
“I do too.” Grey pulled Avery close, wrapping one arm tightly around her. She felt his affection, and more, straight down to her toes.
“I’m so happy you came!” Lola said, still bouncing in excitement, her voice smoky, her Alabama accent obvious. “I’ve heard so much about you for so many years. I wasn’t sure this day would come.”
“Give it a rest, Lo,” Grey muttered.
Avery melted a little at the knowledge that he’d spoken of her at all. “Thanks for having me over.”
“Like I said, it’s a pleasure. Now come on in, and let’s get to know each other.” Lola pulled her away from Grey, and Avery had no choice but to follow the spitfire through her eclectic house, passing a huge set of painted lips on a long hallway wall.
Avery had a feeling she was in for an interesting evening.
Chapter Four
Despite Avery’s brief flare of jealousy, she liked Lola. Her bubbly personality and genuine warmth were contagious, and it was obvious she only had eyes for Rep and a sisterly affection for Grey. And true to his prediction, they were the only other couple there.
As Lola explained while the men were outside grilling, “I really don’t have a lot of friends in Miami, but Rep is based here. I’ve met a lot of the football wives and significant others, and I like them, but I’m still looking for my own crowd, if you know what I mean.”
“I totally do. I have my sister and sisters-in-law, whom I’m close with, and my best friend, Ella, but I like doing my own thing. Next time we all get together, you should join us.”
“I’d love to!”
And just like that, a huge rock star was going to hang with Avery and her family. Life had really weird twists and turns.
“Come. Let’s get comfortable.” Lola gestured toward the oversized sofas. “I’ve read your blog and watched your videos and I have to say I’m impressed.”
Avery was thrilled that someone of Lola Corbin’s stature would be interested and find her work good. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”
Lola waved away the comment. “I’ve used many of your suggestions, and they’re great. Seriously.”
“Well, I bet I can learn a lot from you too.” After all, the woman was often onstage, photographed for magazines, and lived a life in the spotlight, so she always had to worry about her appearance.
“We can trade knowledge,” Lola said with an easy grin.
“I’ll take you up on that.” Avery glanced around the large room. A baby grand piano sat in one corner, the sofa was a gorgeous cocoa color, and behind her was yet another mural, this one an abstract of colors washed across the entire wall.
“Your taste is so eclectic,” Avery said.
Lola laughed. “That’s Grey’s word. I’m sure you mean it’s all over the place and what the hell were you thinking when you decorated the joint!”