Page 15 of One Little Favor
Avery
Sorry, boss. Can’t do that. I teach skating at 8:30 a.m. I’ll be in as soon as I’m done.
Tom
You teach skating? How many jobs do you have???
Avery
Just the two. And yes, every Sunday morning. It’s an intro to hockey class for little girls.
Tom
You played hockey?
Avery
I am a woman of many hidden talents.
Tom
I feel like I don’t know you at all.
Avery
Maybe because you don’t, really ??
I’m only halfway teasing, but something about texting with him instead of saying this face-to-face is giving me the courage to be honest, instead of deferential.
Tom
We’ll have to change that, won’t we?
I glance around my tiny apartment, wondering if there are hidden cameras and I’m being punked, because Tom has never once given me any indication that he sees me as anything other than his executive assistant.
Avery
We’ll see.
I’m not sure how else to respond. Ithinkhe’s flirting with me, but it’s hard to tell. Maybe he means he needs to know me better if we’re going to be able to pull off this whole fake girlfriend thing tomorrow night?
Avery
Anyway, the deliveries for Monday morning are all set, so we’ll get that second coat of paint on the walls tomorrow and be done in plenty of time to go to dinner with your brother and sister-in-law.
Skating is over at 9:30 a.m. and the rink is just over at the Chelsea Piers, so I should be into the office no later than 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Tom
All right, see you tomorrow.
CHAPTER6
TOM
The look of shock on her face as she steps off the ice and sees me sitting in the bleachers is worth the trip halfway across Manhattan. And even if it wasn’t, the way she looks at me when I hold up the coffee and the bag with her pastry definitely would be.
“What are you doing here?” she asks as she takes a seat next to me.
