Page 27 of Lust in Translation

“Going a little stir crazy in the house,” Leo says. “Want me to make some coffee, Avery?”

“Wouldn’t want to intrude on your coffee date.” Avery goes to put her glove back on, eyes turned down, but I see her catch sight of my wedding ring. Her eyes widen.

“I’m the new linguist at Harbour Point,” I say, demanding her attention—so I can tell her the truth. The truth I want her to believe. “I’m teaching Leo Spanish.”

Her discomfort eases, and Leo’s ratchets up. “I’m the intruder right now. I’ll see you at work, Callaway. Have lessons from last week ready to review. Okay?” Professional. I’m so damn professional. As much as I’d love all of Leo’s attention, he’s not mine. I have a husband. If Leo is trying to ignite the spark again, I will not stand in the way of his happiness. Not my business. Even if I feel like it is.

“Kendall is my friend from Bronze Bay,” Leo inserts. Avery looks at me and then to Leo. “She’s my friend.”

Avery nods, brows wrinkling. I’d be confused, too. He said it with such a fierceness, anyone would believe the definition of friend in that statement would seem to be more. “Glad to meet a friend of Leo’s?” Avery says, cocking her head. “I think.”

I nod furiously. “Yes. It is. Going to get to work now.” I walk back to the kitchen and throw on my jacket and slip my hands into my gloves. “Great to meet you, Avery. Callaway, I’ll see you in a bit.”

Avery nods at me. I pass by them and my hand is on the knob when I hear her say, “How much time do you have?”

I close my eyes. Hard. I catch Leo’s gaze before the door closes, and the same fire is there. The one I saw last night that made me uncomfortable. I set the fire that Avery is going to extinguish. The door clicks closed and I hastily make my way to my car repeating the mantra:He’s not mine. Friendship. He’s not mine.

My mood plummets as I envision Avery tasting his delicious smelling skin. Touching him places I have never touched. Not even a kitten can improve the sourpuss mood I’ll have all day long.