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“It’s starting to feel like home for me, too.” My voice came out gruffer than I expected.
Ava’s eyes softened and her fingers twitched. Like she wanted to reach across the table and take my hand in hers.
Warmth filled my chest. Why did I want that?
“So, where did you get this chow mein? I could eat it all day.” I faced my meal and took another bite.
If Ava noticed I was deflecting, she ignored it and gave me the restaurant’s name.
We ate in silence for a few moments before she piped up again.
“So, about you and Dad, what was your friendship like before you left? How long have you known each other?”
The memories brought a smile to my face. I set aside the almost empty container and leaned back.
“Your dad and I became friends in elementary school. Can’t remember how exactly, but we just clicked over something. That was a lifetime ago.”
She smiled.
“Anyway, Thomas was always bigger than me.” I raised both arms, imitating his bulky build.
Ava laughed. “I can imagine that.”
My lips twitched. “Well, I eventually filled out. I didn’t stay a scrawny kid forever.”
Her eyes roamed over me, as if trying to confirm. “Well…”
“What?”
“No, oh my gosh.” She pressed her hands to her face. “I’m just saying… Dad has always been larger than life and I’ve seen his childhood pictures, so I get it.”
“Hmm.” I kept my gaze on her, enjoying her deep blush. “You’re off the hook. For now.”
“Ugh.” She rolled her eyes, humor dancing in their depths. “Just tell me more.”
“Since your dad was bigger and more assertive than me, he turned into something of a protector. When I got bullied, he was there to defend me. When we became teens, no one messed with either of us because Thomas was so strong.”
“Aww.” Ava stared at me with compassion. “Dad’s like a big teddy bear now. Can’t picture him being all threatening.”
I chuckled. “He was threatening, alright. I eventually grew into my frame—” I gave her a pointed look “—and we joined the football team.”
I reclined, thinking back to the simplicity of those days. “We had all our firsts together.”
“Uh, excuse me?”
I shot up straight. “Like playing sports, first jobs, and sharing dreams of leaving Hannibal!”
“Oh, okay.” Ava grinned. A frown stole across her face. “Wait, you said leaving Hannibal. Why did you leave, but not my dad?”
I chuckled. “He met a girl, fell in love, and had you.”
Her eyes warmed. “My mom?”
I nodded. “She was about your age. Very excited to be a mother. Your dad was scared shitless, though.”
“Sounds like Dad.” She laughed. “But he came around to the idea of fatherhood?”
Her eyes were strangely solemn.
