Her praise lit Ava up inside. “Thank you, Mary. It’s been great learning more about each of you and your visions of the Grand Bohemian. I would be honored to bring your visions to life,” Ava said.
Mary smiled, her blue eyes crinkling at the corners. She looked like someone who smiled often but still held a presence that demanded your respect. When this woman spoke, you better listen.
Alec nodded to show he was actively listening to the conversation, his fingers steepled together as he leaned back in his chair.
“I think you’d be a great addition to the board, Ava. Please reach out with any questions as you prepare for your presentation in August. I’m happy to serve as a resource,” Nadia said. Her dark hair and eyes cut a contrast to Mary’s silver hair, but she held no less power. Both women could hold their own.
“I may take you up on your offer, Nadia. I’d appreciate any help I can get. And thank you both, again, for your time this morning,” Ava said.
The women said their goodbyes and left the call. Ava followed suit when Alec’s voice stopped her.
“Can you stay a few minutes, Ava?”
“Um—” Ava forgot any excuses she was about to make when Owen and Avery walked through the café doors.
Like magnets, Owen’s gaze immediately zeroed in on her, meeting her stare. Avery bounced beside him, stopping whatever he was saying to wave when he caught sight of her.
“Ava!” Avery called from the doorway.
A smile stole over her face. She was powerless not to smile at his excitement over seeingher.
He raced toward her table before Owen could do anything.
“Ava. Ava? I think you froze.” Alec’s voice filtering through her headphones reminded her she was still in a meeting with him.
“Sorry, a family friend walked in and caught my attention. I need to drop, but thank you for setting this up, Alec,” she told him sincerely. “I’ll circle back with you in a few days,” she offered, with a smile she hoped conveyed professionalism and not interest.
She didn’t wait for his reply, pressing the button on the screen to leave the call. She pulled out her headphones and closed the lid to her laptop as Avery reached the table. “Hey, Avery,” she greeted him.
“What are you doing here?” he asked with a bluntness only kids could get away with.
She tapped the lid of her laptop. “Had to get some work done. Remember how bad the internet is at the cabin? Needed a place with better Wi-Fi.”
Owen caught up to Avery at her table, an apology in his eyes. “She’s working, bud. Probably not a good time to bother Ava,” he said.
Avery’s face fell slightly, and Ava couldn’t handle the pinch in her chest.
“You’re not bothering me at all,” she assured him. “I just finished up, so you have perfect timing. What are you two doing here? Thought you had Monday off, Owen.”
She chanced a glance at Owen, working hard to keep the rising blush off her face. His hair was still damp, like he’d showered before coming here. A few dark strands escaped his bun to curl around his ears. Spice and coffee filled her nose from his closeness.
“I have the day off for real this week. Stopped in to grab some paperwork from my office,” Owen said.
Avery huffed at that, making Ava lift her eyebrows in surprise. Someone clearly wasn’t happy about that.
“Oh? What are you boys up to today?”
“Dad’s dragging me to a stupid meeting in City Hall when we could literally do anything else,” Avery complained.
He gave Ava a pout that had her biting her lip to keep from laughing. Owen inhaled deeply, his eyes widening in annoyance. She had a feeling she’d stepped in the middle of an ongoing argument.
“We won’t be there long,” Owen said.
“Yeah, whatever.”
Ava glanced between the two. Owen with his features pinched in annoyance and Avery with the frustrated slant to his eyebrows. Like two sides of the same coin. It was cute, really, but she had a feeling neither would appreciate that sentiment.
“Want to keep me company while your dad gets what he needs? I’ve been dying to know what happens next in that book you’re reading,” she said.
