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“Ugh, Dad!” Ava complained, but laughed good-naturedly. “Will you ever stop?”
“Only when these hands stop moving.” He started for a head rub again but she skipped out of the way, racing for the door.
Thomas's booming laughter followed, and warmth ignited in my chest.
We were out the door, standing on the porch, when Thomas spoke again. “Liam, it was wonderful having you over. We should do this often.”
Ava stiffened beside me.
I smiled at my friend, regardless. “Thank you. Dinner was lovely.”
“Will you make sure Ava makes it home safely?” Thomas cast a pointed gaze around the dark yard and curb. “She didn't bring her car again, I see.”
“It was a lovely evening. I just wanted to walk,” she said.
“And now it's a dark night.”
“Come on, we both know nothing dangerous happens in Hannibal. You're being dramatic.”
“Dramatic is how I'd react if I saw something had happened to you on the morning news.” Thomas turned to me. “Please, take her home. And pass by the Mullens house so she can—”
“Dad, hello! I'm right here and I can take care of myself. I'm a grown woman. And it's a lovely night to enjoy a walk. It'll take only twenty minutes.”
“Twenty minutes is long enough for something to happen to you, Peanut.” He ruffled her hair. “Now, let Liam take you home.”
“Dad, I—”
“Ava…”
“Don't worry, Thomas. I won't let her out of my sight.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulder for good measure. “Come on, Ava.”
She threw a glare at me, but my attention was on Thomas’s huge smile.
“Thanks, Liam. Goodnight.”
I sent a “goodnight” over my shoulder as I herded her to the car.
“Don’t let any of this go to your head,” she hissed, tearing herself from my side.
Smiling, I pulled open the car door. “It’s not, I promise.”
She huffed an annoyed sound before looking toward the porch, smiling sweetly. “Goodnight, Dad.”
He waved back.
Thomas only went back indoors when the car moved down the driveway.
In the car’s interior, Ava was a statue beside me. She clutched the casserole pan with white-knuckled fingers, her mouth pressed shut.
A kiss would soften them for sure.
I turned into the next street. Where had that thought come from? I shook my head to clear it.
It was amusing when I pushed her buttons at dinner. Now, though, dinner was behind us, and I was done teasing.
“Where’s the Mullens’ home?”
Her directions came out in a clipped tone.
