I turn toward the familiar Latin accent. “Yes, Quinn, unfortunately I’m still here.” I head down the stairs as Addy’s husband follows me.

“Gentlemen.” Addy eyes us both with her have-you-been-playing-nicely look as her hands stay busy preparing food in their gourmet kitchen.

“Beautiful.” Quinn presses his chest to her back, kissing her neck and whispering something in her ear that makes her blush.

She nudges him with her elbow and clears her throat. “So, Jake, you’ve found a good match, huh?”

I pull out the barstool and slide onto it as Quinn pours a glass of juice. “Avery?” I chuckle. “Just met her. I’m giving her and the dog a ride to L.A. for a friend.”

“Wow!” Addy’s eyes shoot open wide. “That’s how you treat someone you just met? You must really like her.”

“What?” I jerk my head back.

“You’re pretending that she irritates you, when what really irritates you is that she does in fact rub you the wrong way for whatever reason, yet you’re still attracted to her.”

I glance at Quinn. He eyes me over the rim of his juice glass.

“I hated Quinn … seriously hated him.” Addy twists her lips.

“Thanks a lot, baby.” He sets his glass in the sink. “I’ll be in my office. Let me know when the kiddos wake up.”

She shakes her head. “It’s summer. I don’t think we’ll see them for another hour or so.”

“You’re happy.” I smile.

Addy matches my smile. “Deliriously. But you know this, so stop trying to change the subject.”

“What subject?”

“You and Avery.”

I lace my fingers behind my head. “There is no me and Avery. I’ve known her for two seconds. She’s a diva. I prefer the dog to her, but I feel indebted to a friend, so I’m sacrificing my summer road trip to chauffeur them to L.A.”

“She’s pretty.” Addy smirks.

“She’s fake looking.”

“Does she have a boyfriend?”

“No. Yes. I don’t know. What does it matter?” Irritation strains my words.

Addy returns her attention to the plates she’s assembling with fruit, avocado toast, tomatoes, and sprouts. “Oh man … she’s way up under your skin already. This is going to get really good. You should message me with updates.”

“So remind me again why you’re home?”

“Nice diversion, Jake. I told you, Elena didn’t want to miss her friend’s birthday party, so we agreed to wait another day.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s right. So, how are the kids?”

“Jake, you’re such a guy. They’re fine. We’re fine. And don’t think we’re done talking about you.” She slides a plate in front of me. “But first, I’m going to go check on Avery.”

Avery

“Avery?” Addy knocks on the door.