The Merger by Bernadette Marie Read Free Book Online

survival.”
    “I could loan you…”
    She shook her head. “You’ve done more than I ever could have expected. I won’t be taking a loan too .”
    “Too bad my mom’s garden hasn’t started to produce yet. I could have loaded you up. Give it a month or so.”
    She nodded. “Thanks.” She looked over at the redhead who was leaned over the counter speaking very seductively to the man in the white jacket. “Planning a nice dinner?”
    “I don’t know what she’s doing. She’s lost her mind,” he said loud enough that the woman turned and smiled.
    “I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I’d better get going.”
    She turned and walked as quickly as she could to the front to pay, and then out of the store.
     
    Spencer watched her nearly run from him. What was that all about, he wondered.
    “Okay. What should I make to go with it?”
    He turned back to Tiffany. “Does the guy even like steak?”
    “What guy doesn’t like steak?”
    “A vegetarian.”
    Tiffany’s eyes widened. “Oh. I don’t know.”
    “This is why you don’t cook for someone you spent an hour with.”
    “You do if he’s as sexy as Clark.”
    “I think you’re insane,” he laughed as he pulled the cart from her. “Are you almost done?”
    “Yes. I need some pasta and some salad. I’ll just cover my bases.”
    “I can’t believe I’m going to let you use my place for cheap sex.”
    “Well, you’re too preoccupied to let me have sex with you. I’m going after the accent.”
    He laughed. He loved Tiffany because she was just like one of the guys, only with perks.
     
    ~*~
     
    Tiffany had, in fact, scored the date with the accent. All Spencer could hope for was that she’d either go back to his place or she’d wash the sheets when she was done.
    She was very sure they were going to stay at his place since the corporate apartment Clark was staying in had two tenants.
    Usually, Spencer would call up his brother and hang out with him and his wife, but he knew Courtney was going to ask questions.
    He’d tensed under her touch yesterday. He’d never known a blind woman could see so much, but she did.
    Spencer wasn’t ready to explore what he was feeling. He’d wait to see his brother another day.
    So, the question remained, what was he going to do for the night since his place was otherwise occupied?
    As he drove through the streets of Nashville, he thought about calling Clara and seeing if her husband was performing. But, Clara was pregnant too. She wouldn’t want to go out. Ed and Darcy had their hands too full to entertain him and so did his other cousin Christian. He let out a grunt. When did everyone grow up?
    They were all married and having babies. Well, everyone but him and Avery.
    That settled it. He’d go to Avery’s and hang out. Maybe he could convince her to not have a pink and black cake for their birthday.
    Since he hadn’t gotten his Chinese food the night before, he stopped and picked up carryout. Oh, Avery would squawk over it. It would make her ankles swell and she’d have to do another few hours of yoga to combat the sodium, but he was confident she’d still eat it.
    He parked out back next to her Mercedes and walked up the back porch to the back door. Julie’s car wasn’t in the drive. That was probably better. He didn’t need to have her there, or even as near as the basement.
    Spencer knocked on the door before pushing it opened. He really wished she’d keep it locked.
    “Hey, you here?” He called out.
    “I’m upstairs. I’ll be down in a few.”
    He set the bag on the table and retrieved two plates.
    When Avery walked into the kitchen, still putting on her earring, she wasn’t dressed in the usual yoga gear he’d expected. Her long black hair was curled and her makeup was fresh.
    “Ah, are you going out?”
    She adjusted her necklace. “Yes. What are you doing here? What is this? You brought Chinese food? You know I don’t eat that and I can’t stay away from it.”
    She sniffed at