[image error]If you’re not a writer, it might surprise you to know that a finished book can look VERY different from a first draft. For example, in the original draft of NO BETTER MAN, Bryce’s doctor friend Meg was actually one of his love interests. 

In her infinite wisdom, my editor recommended that I make Meg simply a friend of Bryce’s instead. And she was so right! Having a love triangle did seem a bit contrived for this story, especially with the angst the characters were already dealing with. That said, I did LOVE the following scene, so I decided to post it for your reading pleasure. :)

To set the stage, Avery is walking through the town of Aspen on her way to a dinner meeting. She has been battling her developing feelings for Bryce, even after he confessed his feelings for her. While walking down the street, she happens to run into Bryce and Meg, who are on a date.

 Aaaaaaand action! 

The sun hung low over the western peaks, shooting brilliant rays of light into a pearlescent sky. The air had already cooled. She inhaled it the scent of honeysuckle and cold grass, letting it refresh her, awaken her. The street sat still and quiet, minus the sounds of nature working, crickets singing, a breeze rustling.

Avery floated down the sidewalk and passed a square field of green grass. A playground anchored the center. Kids soared on the swings and catapulted down the slides. A dog caught a Frisbee in his mouth. A mom and dad sat on a blanket watching the whole scene with silly grins on their faces.

A powerful surge froze her. She stopped to watch. It was a life she never thought she could have, the simplicity, the serenity. 

A man raised his hand in a wave. She smiled and waved back, a brave tendril of hope taking root and blooming somewhere deep inside. What if she walked away from everything? Just like Elsie? She could trade in her life for a new life. It wouldn’t be easy, but it wouldn’t be impossible, either.

Slowly, she strolled past the playground where the two toe-headed kids giggled, one boy and one girl. Wasn’t that the dream?

They waved and shouted and made her feel like she belonged there. Her heart swelled with the possibility.

She continued on to the end of the block where storefronts dotted the streets. A cozy bakery, a T-shirt souvenir shop.

Further down the street, a familiar form caught her eye. Tall and broad across the shoulders. The wavy dark hair confirmed it. Bryce. Her heart did that explosive thing that happens when you see someone who might happen to be the love of your life walk by.

Her hand was in the process of raising to wave when he dangled his arm around the woman beside him. Not just any woman. Dr. Carlson. The gorgeous blond from the hospital.

Avery choked back the Hi Bryce that almost leapt off the tip of her tongue and gawked at them. They were maybe a block and a half away, getting closer … closer…

He leaned in and said something that made Dr. Carlson laugh, and Avery could’ve sworn the woman’s face glowed. She rested her hand on his arm in a comfortable gesture that suggested they’d strolled down this very street together every night for years.

A pounding sensation reverberated in her chest. What about all of those lines he gave her? I want to be with you. I can’t stop thinking about last night. She mentally backtracked through the murky memories of the last 24 hours. He’d tried to run her off with the protest. And maybe, just maybe that hadn’t worked, so he’d tried to convince her that he had feelings for her. That way she’d get her father to leave him alone, to leave the ranch alone.  

But really, it didn’t matter why. He’d lied.

They were still a half a block away from her when Bryce looked up.

Oh, no. Avery dipped her chin to her chest, her burning eyes frantically searching for a place to hide. No more scenes. She couldn’t handle anymore awkward scenes.

Arms flailing with panic, she ducked into the first open door she saw and collided with a rack of clothes. Freeing herself from the straps of a silk nightie, she darted left, but couldn’t move fast enough.

Through the huge storefront window, Bryce’s eyes found hers.

Gasping and sputtering, she snatched the first hanger she saw and held it up, pretended to inspect the price tag.

“Avery?” Bryce poked his head into the shop.

Vision clearing, she suddenly recognized the article of clothing that dangled from her hand. It was lacy black bra and underwear set. Her eyes did a double take. Size triple D! She glanced at the sign above the rack. Special sizes.

Bryce’s gaze fixated on the bra.

Oh, jeez. So much for avoiding another awkward scene.

Dr. Carlson cleared her throat. 

“What’re you doing?” Bryce asked as though he was almost afraid to hear the answer.

She tried not to look at him, but her eyes refused to obey. Of course, he had to look even better than he had the day before. He wore tighter jeans with an airy green button down that made his face and arms look tan.

“Uh…” Parts of her body tingled with numbness. High blood pressure? Good thing they had a doctor in the house. “I’m … um … shopping.”

His gaze lowered back to the bra. “For yourself?”

A laugh tangled her windpipe and choked her. “That’s none of your business.” She jabbed the bra back onto the rack.

Silence saturated the air.

Just when Avery thought her face would implode, the doctor held out her hand and saved the day.

“I’m Meg.” She smiled. “Dr. Carlson. We met at the hospital?”

“Right. Of course,” were the only worlds that she could squeak out past the utter humiliation.

The woman was practically perfect. Toned and tan. Exactly the kind of girl Bryce would fall for. Not to mention, she was obviously smart and heroic—a doctor, for crying out loud. Her and Bryce would be very happy together. They’d have smart, beautiful children with blonde hair and dimples who excelled at everything they tried. And they’d live in a restored Victorian on the edge of town…

“Are you okay?” Concern tapered Meg’s eyes. “How’s your head? Have you had any other symptoms?”

“It’s fine,” She assured her with a wave of her hand. “Much better.” Avery focused on Dr. Carlson instead of glaring at Bryce. She was a lot easier to look at. Compassionate, understanding. And not a liar.

“Good. That’s good to hear.”

Bryce slanted his head and forced her to see him. “Avery…”

Grinding her teeth, she flicked a quick glance at her watch. “Oh. Wow. Look at the time. I should go. I have a dinner meeting.” She tried to squeeze past him, but the narrow doorway squished their bodies together. “Pardon me,” she gasped, desperate to get away from him.

Bryce didn’t move. His gaze trailed down to her shoes. “Who are you meeting?”

Wouldn’t he like to know? She raised her brows. “Business associates.” Pressing out the door, she plastered on a soft smile. Time to watch him squirm. “What about you two? Where are you headed?”

Meg clamped herself onto his arm. “Bryce is taking out to dinner.” Her eyes sparkled like a woman in love. The way she touched him, the way she couldn’t stop her gaze from drifting to him … there was a hopefulness between them.

How could she have missed it? Of course Bryce had feelings for Meg.

“It was nice to see you, Avery.” Meg smiled like she meant it. She probably did. “I hope I’ll run into you again. You keep taking it easy, okay?”

“I will.” She put on her bravest face. It was impossible to hate the woman, no matter how much her heart hurt. She was too kind.

Bryce’s intent gaze still burned holes through her, but she sashayed past them with a wave and booked it around the corner. As soon as she was sure they couldn’t see her, Avery let her shoulders cave. She slogged to an iron bench and perched, the sounds and sights around her blurring into a muted kaleidoscope. Blinking tears into submission, she steeled herself. Who cared if Bryce ended up with Meg, anyway? It’d been ridiculous to think that anything could happen between Bryce and her. Ridiculous.

Her father had more wisdom than she gave him credit for.

Smoothing her skirt, she stood and marched to the restaurant. What happened to the Walker Mountain Ranch couldn’t matter to her. Not anymore. 

Edward was right. It wasn’t personal. It was business.