He wondered what sort of awkward goodbye at the doorway they were in for. A sideways hug? A failed attempt to move in for a goodnight kiss?
But Ava put that thought to rest as she pulled open the door and stepped back to allow him through. The other hand, the one that was not holding the doorknob, was tucked behind her back.
“Thanks again for everything today,” she said. “The drive, the lunch. The help getting my perfect little printer.”
“Which,” Richard added, “we get to start using tomorrow?”
She grinned. “Definitely. What time?”
“I’m meeting with Betty sometime after breakfast,” Richard mused aloud. “How about we shoot for eleven?”
Ava nodded. “Perfect.”
“Oh, and did Andie already tell you about the softball game at Trenton’s tomorrow evening? You’re coming, right? We’re doing dinner afterward.”
“Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Sweet. Goodnight.”
Richard felt certain he’d be floating on a high all the way back to his cabin, but as soon as he stepped into the hallway, the door closing gently behind him with one lastgoodnightfrom Ava, awareness kicked in.
Someone could see him leaving her room. A guest could make mention of it over breakfast or the weekend bonfire. Message would spread to Maverick, and Maverick, who was stuck in bed and sleeping half of his life away as he tried to heal, would tear off his covers, jump out of that bed, and strangle Richard with his bare hands.
Great. This—whatever was happening between him and Ava—wasn’t going to be easy. But Richard wouldn’t let that stop him. As long as she liked him and he liked her back, he planned to see just where things could go, even ifitwaswhile Maverick was sleeping.
