She squeezes my shoulder. “You didn’t expect it, huh?”
I glance at her hand on my shoulder and place mine over it. “No, not at the time, but looking back, there were plenty of signs. I missed her and our time together. I suspect she found someone else to party with.”
With Ava’s hand still on my shoulder, I pat her hand, but am consumed by the way my body relaxes when she’s around. I hold her hand tighter.
“Like you said, you can’t change people. They are who they are,” she says quietly.
Those words hit me like a gut punch. I tried to change Katrina in subtle ways, but she loved the party life. “Very true. I’m a homebody. I like a good dinner out or a movie, but I enjoy being home. My projects keep me busy. Those days when I can enjoy my deck and hot tub are the best. If you want to see the most breathtaking sunsets, you should come over and watch from my hot tub.”
I realize how that sounds like an invitation, and see Ava’s posture straighten. Then, she relaxes a smidge. “I also have a boat…Well, I don’t seem to use it as much as I had hoped,” I continue, attempting to quell the awkward moment.
“You’re really selling it, Kai. Now, I definitely need to see your house and convince you to take me for a ride on your boat.” She still has my phone in her hand. She taps the screen a few times, then taps it some more. “Here, I put myself in your contacts, and I sent a text. Now, I have your number too.”
My brain is malfunctioning, and my breathing ticks up.Why am I picturing her riding on my boat and on me?I cross my leg over my knee to tame down the monster in my pants. Shaking it off as best as I can, I like her confidence and boldness. If she had waited a few more seconds, I was about to ask for her number. I’d like to spend more time with her—maybe over dinner. I’m replaying Logan’s words…she doesn’t stay.
Do I want to spend more time with someone who won’t be sticking around?
It appears I’m diving headfirst into the Ava vortex. “Then we’ll have to figure out a time that works.”
“Yes, we will.” Her bright smile lingers as she stares out at the water.
Glancing at my phone, I see her contact name,Ava…You Should Call Her.Yeah, good plan. The pull to cup her face and kiss her is becoming irresistible. I might have to—I slide over slightly, thinking maybe she won’t notice.
She does.
FOUR
Ava
Did he scoot closer to me?
A giggle escapes me. He did, and his leg is up against mine. The heat radiating through my body is undeniable; this isn’t my norm. I rarely give men the time of day.
Kai is calm, comfortable, and I hear it in the way he talks, the way he stares deep into me, the way he carries himself. There’s more to him than meets the eye, than the label maker guy he professes to be.
We sit in silence for a few moments, soaking up the breeze and the murmuring from the cookout in the background.
Kai says, “I’m not ready for this conversation to be over.”
I bump his shoulder lightly. “Me either.”
He rises and takes my hand in his and lifts me from the bench. I intertwine our fingers. I wasn’t prepared for the sparks flying up my arm and shattering inside my body. Looking at Kai, I wonder if he feels it, too.
We stroll on the path back to Dane’s, feet in sync, hearts hesitantly trailing behind. The conversation is easy.
The onlookers’ nosy eyes are on us as soon as we emerge from the woods, including my sister and brother-in-law. They’ve been on me to find a nice guy and settle down. But this plan is backfiring because my body is betraying me in every way. The way his hand fits perfectly in mine, the way he lazily holds it as he moves his thumb back and forth. I’m not sure he realizes he’s doing it.
Kai leans over and says, “Want to get out of here?”
I’m definitely leaving with him. “Sure do.”
With that, he slides his hand out of mine, and as we turn, he snakes his arm around my waist. His hand, now resting on my hip, tugs me closer to him. I can only imagine what my sister’s face looks like right now, and I’m giggling as he guides me to his car.
Opening the door, he gestures for me to get in. Once in the car, I’m laughing so hard tears are forming in my eyes, ready to splash down my face. I wipe my eyes as Kai hops in, starts the engine, and pulls out of the driveway.Where? Who cares?This is amazing.
“Can you imagine what those faces looked like as we walked away?” He laughs. “I’ll be the talk of the office on Monday. Those guys are a bunch of gossip queens.”
“I seriously thought the same thing…I’m waiting for my sister to text me.” I pull out my phone as the notification comes in. “Right on time.”
