“The worst thing you could do is be shortsighted and end up blowing your knee out again.”

“I’m the face of Backtrax. I’ve got to get back out there to buddy up with the customers. I can’t just throw in subs and hope to build repeat business from behind a damned computer.” Grey kicked the desk.

Trip stood and paced, his forehead creased with concern. “Listen, I know you don’t want to hear this, but you’ve got to consider what happens if your knee never fully recovers. What if this injury takes you off the big mountain slopes permanently? Don’t you want to be compensated for that possibility, too? It’s not just about the nuts and bolts of your actual losses. We’re talking about your entire future. Don’t be so quick to lowball the money you need to cover yourself.”

Holy shit! Never cutting freshies in backcountry chutes would be like losing an arm. Grey didn’t even want to entertain that thought.

“The most I can get from the OS is one hundred and fifty grand, which—best case—translates to one hundred grand in my pocket. Andy Randall’s got nothing but the twenty-five grand insurance policy.” Grey inhaled slowly, trying to stave off the headache at the base of his skull.

“I thought your lawyer said Randall’s house would sell for more than half a million bucks.”

“Yeah, but I’d be screwing over Avery. She doesn’t deserve to be stuck in the middle of this nightmare.” Grey looked at the ceiling. “It’d screw her parents, too. Apparently they didn’t just give their kids the house. They just never formalized the loan with documents. If I get a judgment lien, they’ll be screwed, too.”

Trip whistled. “Just ’cause it sucks for them doesn’t mean it’s your fault.”

“Doesn’t matter if it’s not my fault.” Grey unwrapped a grape sucker. “If I hurt her family, it’d pretty much kill any relationship we could have.”

“I know you like her. Hell, you may even be halfway in love with her despite never having been on a single date.” Trip drummed his fingers on the desk, shaking his head in apparent dismay. “Bottom line, you’ve made no promises and have no commitment to or from her. You’ve got to look out for yourself. Don’t ignore the worst-case scenario or you could end up with nothing—no business, no money, and no Avery.”

“Did someone mention my name?” Avery popped her head in the doorway, surprising both Grey and Trip.

Trip bowed and tipped his hat. “Look how pretty you are—like a daffodil and ball of sunshine mixed together.”

Grey rolled his eyes at Trip. He grinned as he rose from his chair, scanning Avery’s yellow-and-white ensemble. Yellow must be her favorite color, because she wore it often.

“Thanks, Trip.” She glanced at the papers spread out on the desk. “Am I interrupting something important?”

“No, ma’am.” Trip stepped toward the door. “I was just getting ready to head out.”

“Should I warn all the single women in town?” She playfully punched his bicep as he passed by.

Trip folded his hands in prayer. “Please don’t.” Then his expression transformed to something more sober. “But do remind Grey of the importance of not pushing that knee too early.”

She nodded as he exited the office. Grey liked her smile. Liked the waves of energy she threw off when she talked. Liked the way her eyes reflected her intelligence. Damn, she was pretty perfect.

He waited, frozen in place by a mix of wonder and surprise at her visit, rolling the remains of his Tootsie Pop around his tongue. “What’s up?”

“Is this a bad time? Kinda sounded like I interrupted something serious.”

Grey waved his hand and threw the bare lollipop stick aside. “It’s fine. We were just having a difference of opinion on things related to the business.”

“Oh, sorry.” Avery grimaced. “Trip’s right about your knee, though. The more time you take to build strength without pushing it, the better.”

“Appreciate your advice, but ultimately it’s not your decision.” Grey stood and stepped closer, somehow refraining from grabbing her waist and pinning her against a wall or chair or other object in the office. Her cute smile made him stupid, and made the crotch of his jeans feel a little snug. “I’m happy to see you, though. Did you come by for any particular reason?”

“Well, I brought you a present for rescuing me last night.” Avery reached into her purse and pulled out a bag of lollipops.

Grey chuckled. “Thanks. I can never keep too many of these around.” He set the bag on the corner of the desk. “Anything else?”

Her cheeks turned a darker shade of pink as she tugged at her earlobe. “I wanted to let you know I spoke with Kelsey.”

Hmm. She came by instead of calling. A good sign. He stepped a little closer and reached out for her hand, twining his fingers in hers. “And?”

Her gaze drifted from their clasped hands to his face. “And if the offer still stands, I’m up for that date.”

“That’s good news.” Grey felt his smile nearly splitting his face.

“You look like you just won the lottery.”

“I feel like I did. I’ll take you and a bag of lollipops over cold, hard cash any day of the week.” He raised her hand to his lips and then wrapped his other arm around her waist.

“You’re still optimistic about the outcome of these lawsuits, right?” Her hopeful expression gutted him, but he didn’t want to risk her pulling away because of her family. Trip might’ve tossed Grey’s rose-colored glasses in the trash, but his heart was caught in a vise of anticipation, so he shoved his friend’s warnings aside.

“I’m optimistic about a lot of things,” he deflected, then leaned in and kissed her. He felt her smile against his mouth, so he pulled back. “What’s so funny?”

She licked her lips. “I’m wondering if you’ll always taste like grape candy?”

“Count on it.” He lowered his head and planted another kiss on her lips. “Just think of me as a different kind of sugar daddy.”

“Funny you should use those words. Apparently that’s exactly what Kelsey is looking for now.”

“Really?” Grey rocked back on his heels. “Actually, I can see that working out well for her.”

Avery’s mouth and nose twisted up for a second. “I’ll choose to interpret that in a positive light.”

“Interpret it any which way you like. All I care about is this, here. So don’t make any plans for Saturday.” He grasped her waist with both hands again.

“The whole day?” Her expression grew curious as she tentatively rested her hands on his shoulders.

“And night, if you’ll hold that open for me too.” He squeezed her waist.

“What did you have in mind?”

“At night?” He grinned when she slapped his shoulder.

“You’ve clearly forgotten my one-month rule.”

“Hey, can’t blame me for trying.” He had blocked it out, dammit. Another month would feel like an eternity. “I want to check out a potential bouldering site. Thought maybe we could go hike in the afternoon, then I’ll take you out for a proper dinner.”

“Now I understand Trip’s remarks.” Avery’s forehead creased a bit. “Your knee isn’t ready for heavy-duty hiking, Grey.”

“This wouldn’t be real hiking. We’ll take the van as far as we can, and then go slowly. I’m told the trail to this particular spot is fairly flat and clean, so the worst that will happen is I’ll get a little sore. No risk of turning an ankle or twisting the knee.”

“Promise we’ll turn back if the terrain is too risky for this stage of your recovery.”

Frickin’ stages of recovery. Being held back angered him, but not nearly as much as being deemed fragile or feeble did. “I’ve been working hard to rebuild my strength.”

“I know. Still, there are limitations in the healing process. You’re not superhuman.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” He yanked her up against him. “And I can prove it.”

This kiss was more demanding—almost savage. He wouldn’t allow her to see him as some kind of pathetic project. Some weakling who needed to be coddled and protected. He was a man, dammit. A strong man who knew what he wanted and how to get it. Who knew what she needed and how to give it.