He notices the tears beginning to shimmer in her eyes and moves from behind his desk. He stands by his door with the paperwork in hand, effectively ushering Avery out.
“I don’t plan on sharing this with anyone, Avery, and I can assure you that your worth is measured not by those dollar signs, but by what you do with them. Here is the paperwork: feel free to take it home and finish it up. You can bring it with you when you start tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Al. I’m really looking forward to joining your team.”
By the time Avery exits the office and makes her way to the front desk, her nerves are shot. Earlier this morning, Nikki had offered to bring her back to the apartment during her lunch break. Avery had planned to take a cab from the apartment to go see about purchasing a car of her own, considering her bucket of rust refuses to move from its current parking spot.
As she searches for Nikki, she finds her tied up with a group of patients and a ringing phone. Knowing she is swamped, Avery indicates that she is going to wait for the bus by holding up her pass. Nikki nods in her direction in understanding.
Walking absentmindedly through the sliding glass doors, Avery suddenly whacks into a large and stiff object. Glancing up, she realizes she’s run into the back of Logan as he was chatting with a patient outside.
“I am so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention,” Avery says, embarrassed, as she nervously bites her lip and tucks a stray hair behind her ear.
“Don’t worry about it. Wait there for a second?”
“Um…sure?”
As he finishes speaking with the elderly woman, Avery can’t help but let her gaze travel over his body. He is remarkably handsome, model-worthy even. He stands tall, about six-feet-four. His light gray button-down shirt is pulled taut against his arms and chest, showcasing his well-developed muscles. She can tell he spends quite some time at the gym. He has changed out of his black slacks from earlier and replaced them with well-worn, dark denim jeans that fit snugly against his legs and behind. Avery returns her eyes to his face and realizes his attention is back on her, and that he has caught her ogling his body.
“See something you like?” he asks, a smirk flitting across his face and a small dimple forming on his left cheek.
Words don’t begin to infiltrate her mind. All Avery can think about is how she wants to gaze into his comforting hazel eyes, run her hands through his short, slightly wavy dark hair, and divulge all her deepest secrets.
Realizing he is casually waiting for her response, Avery quickly stutters, “No. I was just staring off into space. I do that sometimes.”
Avery mentally chastises herself.
Great. He’s going to think I’m a loon and who wants a loon working at a medical practice?
He cocks his gorgeous head to the side, looking at her intently before coming to his own conclusion.
“So, Avery,” he pauses. A breath, then he continues, “did you pass the test?”
“I did. I start tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Congratulations. Welcome to the team. I’m heading out for some lunch; would you like to join me? I can give you a ride home.”
Avery hesitates when he offers lunch. She’s sure he means it as a simple, innocent invitation, but she can’t ignore her heart pounding in her chest.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Sure it is. Come on. Nikki’s tied up and I know you want to celebrate. There’s a great place right up the road.” Holding out his hands in mock-surrender, he continues, “Completely harmless, I swear.”
The adorable pleading look he gives her is her downfall. Avery doesn’t think anyone could say no to that face.
“Alright. I’ll go with you.”
“Awesome,” he says as he moves toward the parking lot, Avery following closely behind like a lost puppy.
He stops at a beautiful bike and she excitedly looks around, hoping that he isn’t yanking her chain.
“Is this yours?” she asks gleefully.
“Yep, I ride her whenever we have nice days like today. I only have the one helmet so I’ll let you wear it.”
Avery claps her hands excitedly as she walks around the parameter of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S. It is white with black and chrome accents, beautiful in every way. And boy does the bike fit the man. As he straddles the bike, igniting the engine, Avery gazes at him in awe. Logan puts all those bad boys in romance novels to shame.
It’s quite tragic, really, that she can’t act on her attraction to him.