Free Accidentally Hers (Sterling Canyon #1) by Jamie Beck Page B

Avery pictured Grey’s intense gaze, which made her body thrum. “He’s a ‘live and let live’ kind of guy.”
    Andy stepped closer and narrowed his eyes. “You’re blushing. What exactly is going on between you and Grey? I thought Kelsey liked him.”
    Only because Avery didn’t tell her about “Boomerang.” She’d considered it, but chose not to humiliate her friend. Yet, despite Avery’s gentle dissuasions, Kelsey continued to hold on to hope.
    “Nothing’s going on! You know I can’t get involved with a patient.” Avery ran her fingers through her ponytail. “We’re friendly. He’s a good guy. He’s got a lot riding on his recovery and I want to help him.”
    “You know I rarely agree with Dad, but I’ ve gotta admit, I ’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to be involved with Lowell until the business between him and me is finished.” Andy turned one palm upward. “Show some loyalty, for God’s sake.”
    “You’re part of the reason I decided to work with him.” Her hands went to her hips. “If I can help him recover more quickly, it’ll reduce his damages. In fact, maybe you should consider offering to help him out, too. That might go a long way with a judge.”
    “Lowell probably doesn’t want much to do with me.” Andy shrugged. “Despite your opinion , he could make things worse for me with the DA. Plus, my lawyer says the only reason Lowell hasn’t filed the civil suit yet is because his lawyer can’t assess damages until they can reasonably determine the full extent of his recovery. So it’s not a question of if, but when. You and I both know that means trouble for our whole family.”
    “He won’t take the house.” The words sprang forth without a moment’s hesitation. Why, she couldn’t say. Intuition? Or was she turning into Kelsey, making major assumptions based on her gut, or worse, her heart?
    “How can you say that? He’s got a business to keep running, Avery. A business he can’t participate in as long as he’s hurt. Trust me, that’s more important to him than his ‘friendship’ with you.”
    She scowled, unwilling to acknowledge Andy’s warning. Was it really too much to ask to be able to enjoy one or two days of peace?
    “ I don ’t want to talk about this anymore. You’re ruining my good mood.” Her stomach growled, so she grabbed a banana yogurt and spooned it into her mouth. “Stop borrowing problems. Let’s take things as they come. In the meantime, try to enjoy the peace and quiet here for a change.”
    “About that.” Andy’s expression turned sheepish. “I should warn you, I spoke with Matt yesterday.”
    “Did you?” She threw the empty container in the trash. Her spoon hit the sink with a resounding clang. “Why?”
    “He’d gotten wind of the accident. Wanted to check and see how I was doing.”
    “I can’t believe you didn’t tell him to go to you-know-where. Really, Andy, where’s your loyalty?”
    Andy’s forehead creased before he wrapped one arm around Avery’s shoulder and kissed the top of her head.
    “He acted like a jerk, but he was my friend for five years before you two got involved—against my advice, if you recall. Right now I’m a little short on friends, so I wouldn’t mind reclaiming one.” He stepped away and leaned his butt against the counter. “Besides, you never seemed all that broken up when he left.”
    At the time, Avery had put on a brave face so no one, most especially not Matt, could see how deeply she’d been hurt. But she’d privately broken down when, despite her best efforts to make him happy, Matt suddenly turned away from her and into the arms of some other woman. When he’d upended the future they’d been discussing. When he’d confirmed all her worst suspicions about men and relationships.
    “I’m your sister. Aren’t you mad at him on my behalf? He humiliated me in front of the whole town.”
    “You know I hadn’t spoken with him since. But we talked about it yesterday,