“Okay.”
“Good.” Vale kissed him again, that time longer taking away all thoughts of anything else.
* * *
“Why didn’tyou tell me you got hurt?” Ava pouted. “I had to find out from town gossip.”
“I didn’t know I was supposed to inform you of my whereabouts?”
Alistaire had just finished packing his bags and was excited to be leaving the hospital when Ava burst through the door. Synder and Kayne had returned from Valleywood to pick him up from the hospital even though Alistaire told them he would get home fine on his own. But before he went home, he wanted to stop by the station to speak with LaMarkus on his investigation on Euan Gillies.
“Alistaire, stop being mean to this sweet young lady.” Synder walked over to Ava, curling a gentle arm around her shoulder. “She seems very concerned about you.”
Concerned, my ass.
“Give it back,” Alistaire said to Ava. “I go away for a couple of days, and you go back to your old ways.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ava tried to look innocent, but Alistaire was already on to her game.
“Pet carrier.” Alistaire quirked a brow, and Ava’s eyes widened.
“No need to threaten me.” Ava pulled out Synder’s wallet from her pocket, handing it to him. Synder was stunned he hadn’t realized she’d picked his pocket.
Kayne, who was standing beside Alistaire, coughed to hide his chuckling. “I think you’re losing your touch, love.”
Synder looked at Ava smiling, seeming impressed by her. “You little sneak.” He ruffled her hair gently. “You remind me of someone I once knew. Maybe you’ll grow up and go into law enforcement as he did.”
Ava turned and looked at Alistaire in surprise. “He’s talking about you, isn’t he?”
“No,” Alistaire lied. “Now, let's drop the subject and get something to eat.” Alistaire frowned, then looked at his watch, noting it was around noon. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”
Ava looked away from him as she answered him. “It’s a half-day.”
“Uh-huh…” Alistaire knew she was lying and didn’t know why. He gave her a quick once-over and thought she seemed okay, but it didn’t stop him from worrying about her. “Come on, let’s go eat.”
“Wait!” Ava stopped him as he was about to walk away. “Don’t you need to go home and rest or something? I heard you got shot.”
Alistaire was about to say something snarky but held back, seeing the genuine concern look on her face. He rested a hand on her head. “I didn’t get shot, and I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”
“Are you sure?”
Alistaire smiled then pinched one of her cheeks. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
Ava sighed, dropping her shoulders. “Good. Let’s feed me. I’m hungry. You owe me for making me worry.” She walked off, and Alistaire chuckled, shaking his head.
“I don’t see her for a couple of days, and she turns into a bossy little thing.”
“Who is she?” Kayne asked.
“A good kid who I’m trying to make sure doesn’t lose her way.”
“She seems like a handful,” Synder said.
“She is.” Alistaire grinned, then walked off to catch up to Ava. He would enjoy his day with his parents and Ava and have an even more delicious night with his baby.
“Why are you smiling like that?” Ava asked.
“What’s wrong with me smiling?”
