AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The doorbell rang.
“Oh, Peanut, I forgot to tell you. We're having a guest.” He started taking off his apron.
“Dad, what guest?” I eyed him, a smile on my face.
“No, it's not a woman.”
“So, it's a man?” I gasped, brow raised. “You never told me.”
“Ava!” He went red in the face. “It's not what you think.”
I grinned. “Really? What am I thinking?”
He rolled his eyes. “It's just a friend from out of town who's visiting.”
“A friend. How cryptic.”
Dad rumbled an annoyed sound, his brows pulled down. He started speaking, but the doorbell rang again.
“Dad, don't keep your friend waiting.” I reached a finger into the casserole, but Dad slapped my hand. “Ow.”
“Don't touch anything. Tonight has to be perfect.”
“For your friend?” I nursed the back of my hand with a rub but still managed to wiggle my brows.
He huffed something about a smart aleck-y daughter but headed off. It was always fun messing with him.
My gaze fell back to the table and my mouth watered. I threw a glance at the archway that led to the kitchen. Dad’s booming voice sounded as he welcomed his guest.
That should take a while.
I picked at the steaming casserole in the middle of the table and snagged a piece of chicken. Score! That'd tide me over until Dad and his guest returned.
It was definitely a date. He was just too shy to admit it.
“And here's my daughter, Ava,” Dad announced behind me.
I swallowed and turned in one quick motion. “I wasn't touching the food!”
My eyes met gray ones as they narrowed and my breath caught. What the hell was stormy stranger doing in my dad's house? “You…” I trailed off, unable to speak.
Not because I was too stunned. Something was in my throat. I couldn't breathe.
I was choking.
My hands clutched at my throat, chest heaving.
“Ava, are you okay?”
“Dad…” I wheezed, bending over and coughing, my eyes watering.
My hacking failed to dislodge the lump. It hurt so bad.
Somewhere in the distance, Dad yelled, “Help her!”
I tried to speak, but my entire being just wanted to breathe.
Strong arms wrapped around my middle, and a body covered mine from behind.
