Thursday night after Avery dropped me off, I defrosted my freezer money.

Friday the entire gala team was working out of Jefferson, doing a last-minute push on attendee numbers for next week. With Mallory looking over my shoulder, I’d designed a social media blitz that Redpath and our board agreed to share to encourage hold-outs to sign up. I barely saw Avery, who was in meetings to prepare for his TV appearance Monday, except for a look exchanged in the hallway.

When I counted the bills Saturday, I decided I could afford the trip to New York. It wouldn’t leave me a lot extra, but this was worth it. I talked to Grams about it, and her eyes had lit up in a way I hadn’t seen in years.

I spent the rest of the weekend working out the details. I loved having something to work on. I might not have done it for me, but I’d do it for her.

I also found my thoughts drifting to Avery. We’d had the best conversation walking down the street like equals. Like we both wanted to be there. I loved how he listened. His questions. How he’d opened up for me even if he wasn’t willing to admit it.

The way he’d looked at me in the tent, like he wanted me more than his next breath.

And then…the reminder that it was just physical.

The more I learned about him, the more I liked him. I got that he’d been forced to take control when his mom couldn’t. When she wasn’t trustworthy. Second-guessing himself was probably a liability when he had to take care of himself and his sister.

After hearing nothing all weekend, I caved and texted him Sunday night.

I hadn’t gotten a response by the time I arrived at Alliance Monday morning. Avery was at his desk when I arrived, his suit smooth and perfect.

“Hi. You ready? You look good. I was thinking we could call a car, so we don’t have to worry about parking at the other end, and…”

His gaze met mine, and I knew something was wrong. Even before he said, “Shut the door.”

I did.

“Is there something you want to tell me?”

“How many syllables? Rhymes with…” I lifted a shoulder. My teasing faded at his expression.

I followed his gaze to the stack of papers on his desk.

Not papers. Calendars.

I swore softly.

“Facilities left them when they moved your desk back outside. Thought they were mine.”

“I can explain—”

“Where did you get the photos?”

“Your social,” I said under my breath.

“My sister posted those pictures. You found them, copied them. Distributed them.”

I winced. “Come on. You got July.”

He stared back at me and my gut twisted.

“Avery, it was a joke. It happened awhile ago.”

“Then why do you still have a full box of these by your desk?”

I blew out a breath. “Fair point. But don’t overreact—“

“Overreact.” He snapped the word. “How would you react if you’d been put in a calendar half naked without your knowledge.”

“It’s not the same. It’s only funny because of the divide.” At his blank stare, I went on. “You know, because you’re guys. And you have power. And we thought…”

“Who’s we.” My stomach twisted. “Charlotte, you’re going to tell me who else was involved.”

“It was just me.”

He studied me for a long moment.

“I shared things in confidence. Hell, I introduced you to my sister. And this is how you treat personal information. You display it to the world for your own benefit.”

I was starting to get where he was coming from.

This was worse than the time he’d fired me. The way he was looking at me. Like I’d hurt him personally. Violated his trust.

It felt like all the ground I’d gained had vanished in an instant.

“I’m sorry,” I managed.

“I don’t care.” Avery shoved his hands in his pockets, staring at me like he wished I’d melt into the floor.

“Look, let’s talk about this after your TV interview. I made some notes,” I held up my phone, “And we can go over them on the way over.”

“You’re not going. You’re going to stay here and destroy every copy of that.” He glanced toward the calendar.

“But I can help you.”

“I don’t want your help. You will continue to work with Mallory on the gala. I don’t want you scheduling my meetings. Talking to my clients. I don’t even want you getting my lunch. From today until you leave, you are going to make yourself invisible.”

Avery shrugged into his jacket. Fastened the button lightly with one hand before his hard gaze came back to mine.

“This is about last week,” I realized. “It’s not about the calendars. It’s because of the things we talked about. The fact that you want an excuse not to let people in.”

“This is about trust.” His voice had an edge beneath the surface. “You abused mine and this time I won’t forget it.”

He walked out, pulling the door after him.