“Say yes, Ava.”
After what we just did, I’m fairly sure this man could talk me into running over hot coals. “Yes.”
Strong arms wrap around me, and though I’m pretty sure it’s not physically possible, I swear I fall asleep with a smile on my face.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ava
There’s a knock on the door as I’m still pulling on my shirt. “Trevor, can you get that please?”
He doesn’t respond and the knocking becomes louder.
Tucking my blouse into my favorite pair of jeans, which thankfully still fit me, I go to the front door and laugh when I open it. Trevor is standing on the other side with an armful of flowers. As I take them from him, my breath hitches, because once he’s in full view, I realize what he looks like.
Or more accurately,who.
He’s dressed in a blue button down and beige khakis. It’s hard not to stare at the man who, other than his facial hair, looks exactly like the old him. With one exception. The old Trevor never rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirts.
I concentrate on that one little detail so I don’t feel too guilty about all the things I like about this man. Things like what he’s done to me in bed two nights in a row. Things like how I want him to continue to do those things and more.
“Something wrong?” he asks when I stand, unmoving in the doorway.
“You just look… different.”
“Is it strange that I changed my clothes three times when you were in the shower? I guess I just don’t remember what one wears for a bowling date.” He eyes my jeans. “Should I put on something else?”
I shake my head, deciding not to tell him I may have tried on even more outfits than he did. “You look great.”
He leans in. “Yousmellgreat. Good enough to eat.” His hand skims my arm, causing goosebumps to erupt all over my body. “But I guess we’ll save that for later.”
White hot tingles shoot throughout me as I search for something to put the flowers in. It’s the second time he’s brought them. And somehow, I only have one vase. Trevor would bring me flowers before. On special occasions. But never twice in a period of days. I settle on putting them in a glass water pitcher.
“Maddie’s getting a lot of business from you lately.” I inhale the sweet, fragrant scent of the red roses. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
His eyes rake over me, taking time to appreciate my well-fitting jeans and the top that shows off my cleavage, which has been enhanced lately thanks to the secret I’m keeping from him. “You’re what’s beautiful. Fucking gorgeous, actually.”
Heat creeps up my chest to my face. Trevor always complimented me. I’m not sure why this is different. Maybe it’s the way he says it, with the emphasis on the curse word, as if somehow that gives it more meaning.
“So.” I turn back toward the door. “Where are we going for dinner?”
“I heard about this place called Lloyd’s right around the corner.”
My eyes widen. “Lloyd’s Steakhouse? Yeah, uh, I’m not sure that’s where we should go.”
He glances down at himself. “Jackets and ties required?”
“No. It’s not that. It’s the most expensive place in town.”
“What don’t you get about this being a bona fide date, Ava?”
Guilt over our dwindling, barely existent bank account—thanks to me—eats away at me. “I’m just not sure we should be spending that kind of money.”
“Surely we have enough to go out for a nice steak dinner.” He pulls out his credit card. “We’ll float it on this for now. Haven’t you heard, I’m going back to work as a paramedic soon. And there should be some compensation coming our way from the military.”
“Both of those things might take a while, Trevor.”
He looks disappointed. “You want me to cancel the reservation?”
