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I gritted my teeth and drove. Soon, we stopped outside a suburban house.
The fog around Ava lifted. She hopped out of the car. “I’ll be right back.”
A quick walk took her up to the front porch. Warm light illuminated her, playing through her hair. Two sharp knocks and the door opened, revealing a couple.
Their smile was familiar. Returning their smile, Ava handed them the casserole. Their eyes lit up, and the woman hugged her.
After that, she returned to the car, and I set us in motion.
“What was that about?”
“What?” Her voice came out softer than earlier.
“The thing with the casserole?”
She folded her hands in her lap and looked out the window. “A few years ago, I started this…service when someone or a family is in need, I rally the folks in town to help.”
“There are a bunch of locals, including Dad,” she added with a chuckle, “who are committed to helping out and are on a rotation. When it's their turn, they cook something. Or if they don't want to cook, they do a grocery run for the family in need.”
My heart squeezed. “You started this a few years ago?”
Ava's gaze whipped to me, her hair bouncing with her nod. “Yes.”
I blinked, forcing myself to look back at the road. She’d been what? Eighteen? Twenty? How did a twenty-year-old think that up?
The charity dog wash picture flashed in my head. She’d always been that way. Always been kind and giving.
People like that were hard to come by. When I lived in the city, I met all kinds of people. People who did acts of selfless service were only a handful.
“That’s amazing.” My voice came out tight.
She shrugged. “I just do what I can.”
I came to a stop outside her building.
“So.”
“So,” she returned slowly.
“Wanna invite me up for tea?” It was a joke. But…not really. I held my breath.
Ava’s eyes pierced mine. Her mouth opened and closed. Chest rising and falling.
“I…we shouldn't.”
“You really mean that?” I leaned forward, brushing aside the hair on her cheek.
Her body shivered under my touch. Her eyes fell shut. “Liam…”
I swallowed thickly. How could her sweet small voice be so damned sexy just saying my name? I ran a thumb over her lower lip.
“Ava?”
“We can't. It ends here.” Her eyes popped open. “My Dad can never find out.”
“He won't.” My eyes latched onto her lips.
She moved closer and grabbed onto me, dragging my shoulders toward the center console. Our lips locked, and a collective sigh left us.
