“What can I make for you?” the man behind the counter asks.
“Um…” Turning to my side, I search for Ava one last time. Disappointment fills me before I look over the menu. “A simple black coffee with milk?”
“Coming right up.” He smiles and gets to work. The bell chimes behind me, while I find money to pay. “Welcome back,” the man calls out over his shoulder.
The hair at the base of my neck stands. Turning, I smile when I spot Ava.
“Jason!”
Her delight warms me. “Hi, sweetheart!” I say and press my lips to her cheek. “Surprise!”
“What a wonderful one at that!” She looks down, and her brows raise. “Someone went shopping.”
“I did,” I say and hear the sound of a mug on the counter. “How much?”
Ava places her hand onto mine. “It’s on the house. Let’s go sit.” She motions to the table we sat the first time I came in.
After sitting next to each other, knees brushing at our closeness, I sip from my coffee and appreciate the first taste while I take her in. Merely her presence is a balm on my soul. It’s a heady sensation, one I never experienced with previous women I dated.
“Here.” I place the smaller gift bag before her.
“What’s this?” she asks, eyeballing the bag with skepticism.
I laugh. “A gift. It won’t bite, promise.”
Her small hand works at removing the tissue before it slips inside. From the shape, I see she’s grabbed a mug. Her eyes light up and dart between it and me. “Oh my God!” Ava hugs it to her chest and leans forward, planting her soft lips against mine. “Thank you!”
I grin. “You’re welcome! There’s more.” I nod toward the bag, eager to see her excitement.
She places the mug down, dives in, and pulls out the second one. Her reaction is the same, and she sets them side by side on the table. Her smile is brilliant and drives out the lingering darkness from seeing Mom. Leaning forward, I’m gifted another of her sweet thank-you kisses.
“More,” I say with a nod at the bag.
“Jason! You didn’t have to get me anything. You realize that, don’t you?”
“Ava… You realize I’m enjoying spoiling you, don’t you?”
She giggles and retrieves the small jewelry box. Her brows knit, fingers gliding over the box.
“Go on, sweetheart.”
Ava gasps and presses her hand against her lips. “Time-Turner,” she mumbles.
“Here, let me,” I say and remove the necklace from her hands. Ava shifts to the side and gathers her hair. After clasping it, I sit back. “Now, let me see how it looks.”
She looks down at the intricate piece, and before I can anticipate it, her arms lock around my neck. Her tongue presses the seam of my lips, and I grant her entry. I taste coffee mixed with her flavor. I’ve missed kissing her.
“Thank you,” she whispers against my mouth, and when I peer into her eyes, I see they’re shimmering with unshed tears.
“Good tears or bad ones?”
“Good! Really, really, good ones.”
“Good. Here, there’s one more thing,” I say, and she returns to her seat.
I hand her the larger bag, and she pulls pieces of tissue paper out. When she pulls the pillow out, she giggles.
“What?” I ask, not expecting her laugh.
