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“Can I help?”
Her brown eyes pinned me with a murderous look. “I can take care of it myself.”
“Liam is a medical doctor,” Thomas supplied. “They have to have steady hands for their job. Or are those surgeons? Anyway, Liam is the best doctor I know. If you're still shaken about the choking, he can assist you.”
“You're very generous with the praise, Thomas.” I stood and took the ladle.
She let it go quickly so our skin didn't touch. Shame.
“But I do have good hands, indeed.” I smiled.
Ava huffed and picked up her spoon, holding it like a weapon.
Swallowing my chuckle, I topped up her soup and dished for myself and Thomas.
As we settled to eat, Thomas spoke. “So, tell me, what have you been up to? How do you like Hannibal?”
“It's great so far. I went to Busters the other night.”
A clang came from Ava's end.
“You okay, Peanut?” Thomas turned to her.
“Fine, just fine,” she bit out.
When he faced me once more, she threw a dark warning look my way.
I reined in my smile. “It was a nice place. After a couple of drinks, I went home. Didn't have that much time to kick back and relax when I was in the city.”
My friend's features creased sympathetically. “Hannibal moves at a much slower pace. You'll like it here.”
“You're staying?” Ava gaped.
“For the time being, yes.”
She stared at me wide-eyed.
“Liam moved into an old house that belonged to his family. He plans to set up his practice there.” He poked his daughter's shoulder. “Wouldn't that be awesome? Another great medical doctor to help the folks of Hannibal.”
"Awesome," Ava said flatly and filled her mouth with a spoonful of soup.
Thomas missed his daughter’s discomfort and went on about how great I was for Hannibal. Hannibal was great for me, too. Well, that was, until I discovered Ava's identity.
Still, I wasn't upset. Unlike the fiery princess whose eyes kept spitting fire at me. Granted, I earned that with my teasing.
Her dad turned away to take another helping of the chicken casserole. Which was exquisite, no argument there. I held two fingers to my lips and made a closing zipper motion.
Those brown eyes sparkled and I bit back a chuckle.
Enchanting girl.
I should probably be bothered that I slept with Thomas’s daughter. If my math was correct, I had about eighteen years on her.
But I didn't know it at the time, and she was a grown woman. Knowing now, though, changed nothing.
The only thing her brown eyes managed to arouse in me was desire. So acute that if someone spilled hot soup on themselves, I couldn't stand up to help. I was rock-hard under the table.
I’d thought about her the past couple of days. Certain we’d never meet again. But seeing her here was a gift.
