Gavin threw the apron at his brother’s back, smacking him in the head. Then he put on a big smile. “Ladies? Can I get you guys something to drink?”
“I’ll have some of that wine on the counter.” Ava turned to Zoe. “It’s a nice pinot grigio. Would you like some?”
She didn’t know if she should, since Gavin didn’t seem to drink alcohol.
“Go ahead,” Gavin said. “It’s probably more sophisticated and a nicer pairing with dinner. Or you could have iced tea, water, milk, or some gross seltzer-pomegranate combination. I wouldn’t recommend that.”
“It’s a healthy alternative to soda.” Ava sounded defensive. “Anyway, it’s your call, Zoe.”
“I’ll have the wine.”
Gavin returned moments later with wine for her and a glass of iced tea for himself. “Man, slaving over the stove all day has made me tired.”
“I thought you didn’t cook.”
“I don’t.” He scowled back at the kitchen. “I was forced to clean the oven.”
“Oh.” Zoe bit back a grin.
“My fiancé has a thing about cleanliness.” Ava leaned closer. “It’s bordering on a slight neurosis, but it doesn’t hurt him, so it’s okay.”
“I heard that,” Landon called out.
“Major OCD, we like to call him,” Gavin added. “And in case you haven’t figured it out yet, Ava’s a psychologist.”
“Really? That’s got to be interesting.”
“Oh, it is.” Ava drank more wine. “So what do you do?”
“I’m a—”
“She works at SMP Medical as their training manager. And she’s really good at her job,” Gavin said for her.
“Oh?” Ava smiled. “So what exactly does that entail, Zoe?”
“I…” She paused, waiting for Gavin to cut her off again.
“No, you field this one. You got it, babe.”
“Thanks so much for your confidence.” She ignored his thumbs-up, trying not to encourage him by smiling. “I basically manage the trainers who teach the medical software to the medical group. It can get pretty involved, especially dealing with tech support, software issues, and clinic managers who don’t like to have to wait. But it’s fun and challenging. I love being a teacher as much as I love being a manager.”
“It’s always a good thing when you love your job.”
“Yeah,” Gavin said. “I mean, if Ava didn’t love dealing with the mentally impaired, she and Landon never would have gotten together.”
Ava frowned. “Gavin.”
“Hey, isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?” Zoe teased, but Gavin’s smile left him.
“What are you trying to say? That I’m mentally deficient? That I can’t deal with the pressure society puts on me to be a man?”
“Um, no. I was just teasing.”
Gavin’s big grin relieved and annoyed her. “Kidding. I’m probably the biggest mental patient Ava knows.”
Zoe glared. “You’re such an ass.” For a moment she’d feared she’d hurt him, and that hadn’t felt good at all.
“He really is,” Landon said with cheer as he rejoined them, carrying a veggie tray. “Ava, you’re up.”
