Rico brushed a piece of lint from his tight, black T-shirt. He stretched his arm across his broad chest to rub the elbow of his other arm. He winced as a jolt of pain shot through it.
Before coming to the coffee shop for his date with Avery, he had sparred with his friends at Hard Drive. Dan had locked him in an arm bar for longer than he’d liked. But Rico had been able to escape, and then during the scramble, secure his friend in a triangle. He made Dan tap out, but the scrawny blond was far stronger than Rico realized. His elbow would ache for a couple of days.
He stepped up to the counter, studying the chalkboard mounted to the brick wall behind the coffee machines to find something to drink. He never was one for fancy coffees. Americano, cappuccino, double shot espresso—none of it looked appealing. The iced tea looked safe.
As he waited for the barista to return to the register, he glanced over to find Avery preparing a customer’s mocha. As his eyes locked with hers, he flashed a dazzling smile. Her cheeks flushed pink as she turned her attention back to her customer. Yep. She’s hooked.
The bushy-haired redhead with thick, horn glasses who helped Rico the first couple of times appeared behind the register. “Rico Choate,” he breathed, sounding awestruck. “What can I get you?”
Rico glanced at the barista’s nametag this time. “Well, Cody, iced tea will be fine. And get me a coffee too, for my friend,” Rico answered.
Cody typed into the register. “Awesome. I hear you’re here to talk to Avery.”
Rico watched Avery work, his eyes raking over her figure. “That I am.”
“Dude, you can’t tell her who you are.”
Rico laughed. “What do you mean I can’t tell her who I am?”
Cody glanced over at Avery warily. He looked like he was certain he would get busted. Then, he leaned across the counter and spoke in hushed tones. “You can’t tell her about being huge in the MMA.”
“Why not?”
“She hates celebrities. Doesn’t matter what kind they are. If you have any sort of following, she despises you. I’ve watched her set those celebrity magazines on fire behind the shop.”
Rico frowned. He certainly had a following. He had fans who tracked his career back from his boxing days in high school. “Great advice. Thanks, man.”
“No problem.” Cody took Rico’s grin with an adoring smile. Rico chuckled as he stepped away from the counter to wait for the drinks.
The tinkling bell on the door announced the arrival of another customer. Chloe stepped in, dressed in a T-shirt and denim shorts, her hair up in its customary ponytail. Rico took the drinks from Avery with a wink then hurried across the room to sit at the table Chloe had chosen next to the large, front window. He glanced behind to catch Avery slipping her apron off and disappearing into the back room, probably to punch out.
“Hey,” Chloe greeted, as Rico set the cup of coffee before her. “Thanks. Did you put—?”
“You can doctor your coffee in a minute,” Rico snapped as he dropped into the chair beside her. “We got to talk.”
“You don’t have to bite my head off.”
“I’m sorry. But this is important. We can’t mention my career in MMA, Hard Drive, fighting, or anything. We met at the gym. I hang drywall. That’s it. And I’m one of those crazy bodybuilders. I have never been near an octagon, other than to go watch a fight or two with buddies. All right?”
Chloe stared at him, clearly baffled. “Wait. What?”
Rico grinned as he watched Avery approach. “I’ll explain later,” he muttered as he stood to greet her with a hug then pulled out her chair.
Chloe shook her head confused. She forced a smile on her face for Avery. “Hello, Avery. This is my friend, Rico.”
Avery signed something in answer. Rico looked at her, puzzled. “She says it’s nice to meet you, Rico,” Chloe reported.
“I want to know more about her,” Rico requested.
“Then tell her that, you moron. I just talked to her, didn’t I? Just look at her so she can read your lips.”
“Oh.” Rico felt his cheeks warm. He hoped Avery couldn’t see him blushing. By her amused smile he could tell she noticed. He took a deep breath. “So, Avery. Tell me about yourself.”
Avery responded with her hands. Rico watched her long, delicate fingers as they formed the words. An urge built deep inside him to kiss the tips of each.
Chloe smiled as Avery finished and began translating. “I was a Marine. I served as a military police officer in Afghanistan. I’m now working on my Masters in Psychology at the University of Minnesota.”
Rico frowned. Instinctively, he pointed to his ear. “I didn’t think…”
He was distracted by Avery’s flying fingers. He noticed her crystal blue eyes narrow angrily as they did. The smile faded from Chloe’s face. “I lost my hearing in combat. IED.”
Rico’s heart swelled with pride. He barely knew this girl, and he could tell she was something incredible. Definitely not one-night stand material. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. Can you talk?”
Avery’s lips turned up in a small smile as she responded. Chloe spoke. “No. My vocal cords are mostly paralyzed. I’m not sure if it was from the blast or from when I was intubated for surgery. They tried to repair it. I went through months of therapy to try to make it work. I can make some noises. I can laugh a little. But when I tried to talk it didn’t work. Maybe someday they’ll work. Right now they don’t.”
Rico winked at her. “Give it a try. I’d love to hear it. I’m sure it’s music.”
“You’re sweet. But no.” Chloe laughed as she faced Avery. “He’s something else, isn’t he?”
“Hey now,” Rico scowled at Chloe then turned to Avery with a smile. “That’s too bad. I’m sure your voice would be as incredible as the rest of you.”
Avery blushed as her fingers flew. Chloe laughed before she translated. “You’re a smooth talker, aren’t you?”
“For you, baby, it’s only the truth.”
Avery shook her head and stood. She signed then held her hand out to Rico. “Right. I have to get to a study group. It was nice to meet you, Rico.”
Rico leapt to his feet. “Let’s go to dinner tonight.”
Avery picked up her back pack. She slipped it on her shoulder then signed.
“I don’t know.” Chloe frowned at him. “This one’s from me, not her. How do you plan on pulling that off?”
“You can come with. Bring Max. We’ll double.”
Chloe rolled her eyes. Rico turned back to Avery. “So, are you interested? I would love to take you to dinner. Maybe at eight at that little Italian restaurant two blocks over?”
Avery looked apprehensive at first, but then she nodded. She pulled her hand back, and then waved to both of them before she slipped out the front door of the café.
It took all of Rico’s self-control to keep from dashing off to his vehicle and breaking every speed limit between the cafe and his apartment to get ready for their date. However, the death glare he was getting from Chloe told him to root himself in his chair. He plastered on a smile for her as he sipped his iced tea. He would owe her big for all this. He grimaced. Unfortunately, she knew that.
They plotted out how Chloe would translate between them that evening. They would go to the nice Italian place Max liked. Chloe could sit in the corner by the wall where both could see her. And Max…
Rico sighed. On second thought, he would owe Max huge too, for commandeering his wife for the evening. And he didn’t even want to know what Max would demand. Max kept mentioning that he’d like to tear down the wall between the office and the conference room at Hard Drive to make one big office. It’s good I like to do demolition work. Reframing the wall is going to stink.
Chloe took the final sip of her coffee. “Thanks for sticking around for me. You can go, though.”
“Hey,” he replied, “I was just spending time with my sis. Besides, if I wanted to go, I would just go. I’m a big boy.”
“No, you wouldn’t.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You’ve been fidgeting in your chair since Avery left. Go. Go home. Get pretty for your date.”
“I don’t need to get pretty,” he scoffed. “I’m drop dead gorgeous. But thanks.” He pecked Chloe on the cheek and slipped out the door. He knew she was watching him sprint to his Jeep. Whatever. He’d deal with her teasing later.
He raced home, not stopping until the shower water was running and sweaty gym clothes littered the floor. He normally camped out under the hot stream for at least a half hour, especially after being at Hard Drive. He couldn’t risk being late, though. He scrubbed as quickly as he could then rinsed and toweled dry. Then, he tugged on a blue shirt that matched his eyes and black slacks.
After running his fingers through his thick, dark hair a couple of times, he slipped on his shoes, locked his door, and jogged back to his vehicle.
»»•««
Rico paced the foyer of the restaurant as he waited for everyone else. His stomach was in knots as he glanced around the dining room at the checkered tablecloths and the brass lamps over each table. He had been out with hundreds of girls lately. There was something about this one though. Avery wasn’t the kind of girl he could wine and dine and take back to his apartment to stay the night. She was the kind of girl a man built a future with.
He stopped moving and frowned. Am I ready for that?
As he turned toward the door, the question disappeared from his mind. His eyes flew open wide, and his mouth went slack. He was certain he looked like a complete idiot. Even worse, he didn’t care.
Avery stood in the doorway dressed in a mint green, floral sundress with brown leather sandals on her feet. Her long, blonde curls were held up in a ponytail that cascaded down her back. She smiled shyly at him. Awestruck, Rico took her hand in his and kissed the back of it. He didn’t let it go as they followed the waiter to a table. As they settled into their chairs, they looked up, and their eyes met.
Then, it struck Rico like lightning—they couldn’t communicate. He growled. He wanted to learn everything there was to know about this woman. Yet, he couldn’t understand the way she spoke. She could read his lips but it would be a one-way conversation. He wasn’t going to just talk about himself. He wasn’t that conceited. He looked up to see Avery watching him waiting for him to speak.
Just as Rico reached for his phone to open his notepad app he felt something brush his arm.
“Sorry we’re late,” Max grumbled. “Mustang wouldn’t start.”
Rico looked up to see Chloe quickly signing to Avery. Avery smiled brightly and responded. After they sat down, Chloe introduced Max to Avery. Rico watched, dumbfounded, as Max also communicated with her. Chloe nudged Max to remind him that Avery could read lips.
“Whoa. Wait. You can sign?” Rico demanded.
Max laughed. “Yes, a little.”
“Since when?”
“Since they needed someone at Roadie’s Gym to work with a couple of deaf clients. I put myself through a crash course.”
“Wonderful.” Rico deflated a little. He was the only one who couldn’t understand what the beautiful woman across the table was saying. “Did Chloe explain the situation to you?”
“Yeah. I can’t talk about my job. Or how we met and became friends. Or what I do for fun. Really, I just shouldn’t talk.”
Rico blew off Max’s glare as he turned back to Avery. “You’re beautiful,” he told her.
Avery blushed as she responded. Chloe spoke for her. “You aren’t bad, either. Tell me about yourself.”
“Not much to tell. I hang drywall for a construction company. When I’m not working, I’m at the gym.”
He could have sworn he saw a dreamy look in her eye. Chloe translated her words again. “I can tell that you workout.”
Rico felt his cheeks grow warm. “Tell me about you.”
“I enlisted in the Marines right out of high school and served for five years until I was injured. I went home to California to rehabilitate then moved in with my brother here in Minneapolis so I could go to school. I’m working on my Masters now. When I’m not working or studying, I volunteer with Operation First Response.”
“I’ve never heard of them.”
“They help service men and women injured in battle, along with their families. They were a tremendous help to me. What I do is a small thank you in return.” Chloe continued to translate.
Rico felt his heart swell a little. True, he barely knew this woman. But it didn’t matter. He was already so proud of her.
Avery looked at Max as her fingers asked a question. Max’s face paled, and his eyes grew wide.
Rico frowned. “What is it?” he questioned.
Max smiled at Avery then glanced warily at Rico. “There’s not much to tell about what I do, Avery.”
Rico’s stared at him in horror. “You can’t, Max.”
Max pressed his lips in a thin, angry line. Then, he turned back to Avery and signed quickly. She responded, her brow creasing. Max answered back. She smiled and nodded.
“What did they say?” Rico pleaded to Chloe.
“Max told her he owns Hard Drive. He also told her that you came in to take classes to keep in shape. He told her that you’re some crazed fitness nut. That’s how you became friends,” Chloe deciphered.
Rico breathed a sigh of relief. “I owe you, Max.”
“You have no idea,” Max growled.
They kept chatting and signing as they waited for their meals. Rico hung onto everything he learned about Avery. No woman, not even Phoebe, had ever affected him like this. She was simply incredible.
When they were finished eating and they had told Max and Chloe goodbye, Rico walked with Avery outside. The road glowed from the pure, white light of a street lamp. He took her hand in his and drew her closer. They didn’t get five steps from the restaurant when a large, black quad cab pickup pulled up to the curb. A large, intimidating man with a shaved head glared at him. Few men could actually put the fear of God into Rico. This one did.
Avery pulled free and opened the passenger door. She rummaged for something in the messenger bag on the floor. She retrieved a notebook and scribbled on it. Then, she handed it to him. Pressing a kiss against his cheek, she climbed inside the truck and pulled the door closed behind her. It was barely shut before the bald guy sped away.
Rico looked down at the message that Avery had scrawled for him.
Rico, I think you’re a great guy. If circumstances were different, I would love to go out with you again. But it’s not fair to bring your friend, Chloe, along everywhere so we can talk. I don’t think we should see each other again. I’m sorry.
Avery.
He crumpled the sheet in his hand then reared his arm back to throw it. But he stopped before he did. Sighing resignedly, he shoved the ball of paper into his pocket before he shuffled back to his Jeep.
»»•««
Chloe squinted at her computer screen as her fingers typed away. She yawned. She hated working on her and Max’s budget, especially after spending the last hour and a half kickboxing with her husband. The second she caught sight of Rico’s Jeep in the parking lot she retreated, hot and sweaty to the office. Let the big boys beat on each other for a while. Now, if she could only stay awake long enough to balance their checkbook.
She glanced over her shoulder at the couch Max had put in the room. Draped across it was one of her favorite blankets. It certainly looked inviting. With a sigh, she returned to her numbers.
The sounds of Max and Rico’s grunts as they sparred floated through the open door. Chloe felt bad for Rico. It had only been a couple days since their double date. She could tell Avery had wounded him when she said they were done. Chloe understood where Avery was coming from. How could they have a relationship without communication? Still, this girl had gotten to Rico. Chloe had never seen him react this way about a woman. She doubted she’d ever see it again.
Chloe rubbed her tired eyes and glanced back to the couch. A little nap wouldn’t hurt. Maybe the numbers would make sense afterward. She stood up and crossed the room, grabbing the blanket from the back of the sofa. She never heard the footsteps behind her.
“Chloe.”
She startled, letting out a high-pitched squeal and spinning at Rico. “Don’t ever scare me like that again!”
“Sorry,” he apologized.
She slumped on the couch and covered her legs. “I thought you were sparring.”
“Water break. Hey, I need a favor.”
“Another one? This will be the third or fourth one you’ll owe me, Rico.”
“Well aware.”
“What do you want?”
Rico sat beside her. She could see the sudden ray of hope in his eyes. “Teach me Sign Language.”
“What?”
“Avery said that if we could talk to each other, she’d go out with me. So, teach me to talk to her.”
“Rico, it’s not an overnight thing. It’s going to take a while to learn. I doubt she’ll just wait around.”
“I have that handled.”
Chloe rolled her eyes. “I’m afraid to ask.”
“I’ve been sending her flowers at the coffee shop the last couple days. I know how to charm a woman, Chloe. Just help me talk to this one on my own.”
Chloe stared at him for a long moment. Then, she smiled. He really had it bad for Avery. And she cared about him too much to be the hurdle standing in his way. “All right. I’ll teach you. But I get your full attention the entire time. Got it?”
“Absolutely. Got it.”
“Come back up here after lunch, and we’ll have your first lesson. Okay?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Good.” She shooed him away. “Now, go. You need to train. And I need to nap. Fight camp wears me out.”
Rico laughed. “You aren’t going through camp. Max and I are.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “Really? Who’s been holding mitts for him every morning? Oh, yeah—me. So, let me sleep.”
He stood, still laughing. “Sure thing, sis. And thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Chloe waited until he stepped out of the room before she stretched out on the sofa. It took only moments before she dozed off.
It was nearly noon before Chloe woke up. She frowned. She had only been planning to nap for an hour. It had lasted nearly three. She shrugged to herself. The accounting would just have to wait until after her lesson with Rico. She knew there was enough money to buy groceries tonight. That was all that mattered.
Chloe stood then folded the blanket and tossed it over the back of the couch. She reached into the refrigerator for the salads she had made her and Max for lunch. She glanced at the third one sitting there. Knowing Rico, he had forgotten to bring anything to eat. As both men bounded into the room, her suspicions were confirmed. She handed the two salads in her hands to them then retrieved the third one for herself.
After they had finished eating, Max disappeared downstairs to teach a class. Chloe pointed to the sofa in a silent command. Rico sunk into the cushion obediently. She wheeled her office chair over to him and settled into it. “Okay, let’s just start with a simple greeting.” She slowly signed to him. “That means ‘Hello, my name is R-I-C-O.’ Now, do it with me.”
Chloe watched as he butchered the first couple of attempts. As it started to come smoother for him, an alert chirped on his phone. He stopped his hands and dug for the cell in his short’s pocket.
“Rico,” Chloe chided.
“Give me just a sec. It’s Sam,” Rico defended, as he typed.
“You promised you’d give me your undivided attention.”
“Sam’s the promoter. I can’t tell him to wait.”
Chloe stood and crossed the room to her desk. She picked up a magazine. Rolling it in her hand, she returned to him. Then, she whacked him in the shoulder with it using all the strength she had. She scowled at him as he dropped his phone and clenched his arm.
“Hey!” he protested.
Chloe tossed the magazine next to her chair where she could reach it again. “I know Sam. He’ll understand. You promised me.”
Rico glared at her. “I know. All right.” He tucked his cell back in his pocket.
Chloe settled herself back in her chair with a sigh. This might take more effort than I originally thought. “Let’s start with the alphabet next.”
»»•««
Avery frothed the milk in a customer’s cup then slowly poured in the espresso. After squirting in a generous amount of chocolate syrup, she popped on the top and slid on a sleeve. She forced a bright smile on her face as she handed over the Styrofoam container decorated with coffee beans. The woman’s lips were animated as she rambled on to Avery. Not that Avery could hear a word of it.
Some days, it would be easier just to wear a T-shirt that said “I’m deaf.” Not that I should have to.
She had been deaf for so long that she couldn’t remember what it was like to hear anything. Her memories played in her mind as silent movies. She missed what voices, music, and nature sounded like. Her brain only held on to one sound—the screeching and groaning of the metal body of an armored convoy vehicle being ripped to shreds in a ball of fire.
The explosion was the last thing she had ever heard. From then on, it was smothering silence.
She looked up to read the next drink order. She had learned to live with being deaf. She was a Marine. Adapt and overcome. She had been through boot camp. She had served as a Military Police Officer in Afghanistan. She had almost been killed by a roadside bomb. She had lost her best friend in that attack. She hadn’t even cried when she’d learned the news. She could handle a little disability.
Admittedly, her stubborn pride interfered quite a bit. She refused the simple pleasures she had before she was deaf. Like driving. Or talking. She went through months of therapy to try to get her voice back. She could make some sounds. But every time she tried to form just one word the disappointed gaze of the therapist told her only one thing. It was never coming back. So she quit trying.
Avery’s eyes caught the pale pink bouquet of flowers that sat on the counter behind her. She sighed. She had to admit that there were times being deaf sucked, like when the most incredible guy in the world had walked into her life but couldn’t communicate with her. Telling Rico Choate she couldn’t see him again was the hardest thing she had ever done.
She didn’t really date. She had just never found interest in a man. When she had been enlisted, she was too consumed with her career. The Marines were all she had cared about. When she had rejoined the civilian world, she didn’t have the patience for immature guys who couldn’t handle being with a deaf woman without making it a joke. The only guy she had ever been comfortable around was her brother, Lindsay.
Then, Rico had walked into the cafe. She could lose herself in his deep blue eyes. His tall, strong build made her knees go weak. She wanted to bury her fingers in his thick, dark brown hair. She had thought—there’s no way a guy that hot would want to ask me out.
Then, through his friend, Chloe, he did just that. After one date, she had ended it. Ever since, he had filled her thoughts and haunted her dreams. Rico didn’t help the situation at all. Nearly every day, a different arrangement was delivered for her, of the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen. Each bore a simple message.
Thinking of you.
Rico.
Avery glanced across the small shop. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt her heart race in her chest. Speaking of the devil, Rico stood at the counter placing an order. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath to calm herself. It didn’t slow her stampeding pulse.
This is getting ridiculous. She would have to set him straight. She just couldn’t torture herself like this.
Once she capped his iced tea, she grabbed a note pad and pen. She sat the drink on the counter as she scrambled to think of what to write. Her thoughts stopped as she noticed his fingers.
His smile was shy as he signed again. Hello. How are you?
Her eyes flew open wide in surprise. You sign! But how?
Rico gestured then picked up the pen and paper.
I’m still learning.
He lifted his hands to sign again. Did you like the flowers?
She giggled. Yes. Thank you. She scrawled beneath what he had written.
Why are you learning sign language?
His lips cracked into a wide grin as he took the pen from her again.
So we can talk. So you’ll go out with me again.
Avery’s pulse kicked up a notch as her knees went weak. She leaned against the counter as she followed his words before writing her own.
Get a few more lessons then come back and ask me out. I might just say yes.
She didn’t think his smile could get bigger, but it did. He scribbled at the bottom of the page.
Your wish is my command. I’ll see you soon.
He waved goodbye as he stepped back. She couldn’t pull herself away until he disappeared out the door. He was learning sign language…for me? There was no doubt. For the first time in her life, she was falling in love.