Free Reckless by Cheryl Douglas Page B

details later. Andrew’s a very busy man; please don’t be late.”
    Jeff laughed. “Sweetheart, you should know these musicians by now. They rarely wake up before noon.”
    Ty glared at Avery’s date. “I grew up on a ranch. We had to wake up before the sun to get the chores done.”
    Jeff raised an eyebrow. “A rancher, hmm. I’m thinking that could work in your favor, Avery. Most musicians just play at being cowboys with the boots and the hats. Looks like you’ve got yourself a real live cowboy here.”
    Avery looped her arm through Jeff’s. “Yes, well let’s get back to our table, Jeff. Gentlemen, nice to see you.
    Ty barely waited until they were out of earshot before he said, “Okay, I hate that guy.”
    Luc laughed. “Really, I couldn’t tell.”
    Ty scowled. “Was I that obvious?”
    “Jeff’s a pompous S.O.B., but Avery seems to like him so I guess that’s all that matters, right?”
    “He’s a little long in the tooth, isn’t he?”
    Luc laughed. “Avery likes older guys.” He winked. “Maybe she’s got a daddy complex.”
    “How old is she?”
    Luc thought about it for a minute. “Thirty-five, I think.”
    Ty knew Avery would use their five-year age difference as another con on the mental list she seemed to be compiling to talk herself out of getting involved with him. No matter what she said, or how much she protested, he knew women well enough to know she wasn’t faking her response to him last night. She still wanted him as much as he wanted her. He just had to find a way to convince her to overlook the fact that there was a woman out there somewhere sharing his last name.
    After enjoying a delicious steak dinner, Ty sat back in his seat and glared at the couple who had been at the forefront of his mind all night.
    Luc took a sip of the espresso the waitress set down before him. “Man, you’ve got it bad. You’ve barely taken your eyes off of her all night.”
    Ty shook his head. “Man, I’m sorry, Luc. I hope you’re not pissed that I brought you here to do a little spying on Avery. I overheard her making plans with him and I was curious.”
    Luc laughed. “It was no surprise to me or Avery, Ty.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You don’t think she wore that dress for Jeff’s benefit, do you?”
    “Why else would she wear it?”
    “She called me earlier to give me a progress report. I asked her about her plans for the evening and she told me she was coming here with Jeff. She didn’t seem all that surprised when I told her we were dining here as well.”
    Ty shook his head and smiled. He should have known better than to think he’d be able to get one over on Avery. She was too sharp to believe that his choice of restaurants was merely a coincidence. Not that he minded being outwitted. He wanted her to know that he was willing to go to any lengths to be with her again.
    “What do you know about this Jeff guy?” Ty asked.
    Luc shrugged. “Not much, just that he’s an entertainment lawyer. Some of my clients have used him in the past. He seems okay, not a shyster if that’s what you’re asking.”
     “You said you thought Avery liked him?”
    “She seems to. I don’t think it’s serious, though. Avery dates a lot of guys.”
    Ty didn’t like the sound of that. How many times would he have to sit across a crowded restaurant from the woman while another man took her home? “When you say a lot, how many are you talking about?”
    Luc chuckled. “Being seen in the right places with the right people is part of her job. That doesn’t mean she’s into any of the guys she goes out with.”
    Somehow that did little to put his mind at ease. “She dates a lot of celebrities?”
    Luc finished the cup of strong coffee and set his napkin on the table. “This is Nashville, my friend. Most of the celebrities are country singers.”
    “Which doesn’t answer my question.”
    Luc stood up. “I’m not gonna act as your go-between. If you want the dirt, you’re gonna have