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Ares dipped his chin, his cheeks flushing.
I looked on, amazed. I’d never seen him less than controlled. “Um, Ares, this beauty, who cannot have you,” I teased Ava, “is my bestest bestie. My ride or die. My come hell or high water. The one who would help me bury the body, Ava.”
Collecting himself, he extended his hand to Ava. “I’m Ares.”
“I was going to introduce you,” I protested.
His lips twitched as his eyes slanted down to me. “Yes, well, I didn’t want to risk it after hearing Ava’s introduction.”
I huffed my protest and angled the stroller between our chairs. “Can I pick her up?” I asked.
“Of course,” he nodded, seeming to study me intently before sitting and turning to Ava. “I’ve heard a lot about you, but Hope has never mentioned what you do.”
I barked out a laugh as Ava’s cheeks glowed crimson. “I, uh, I’m in social media.”
He brightened. “Oh, yeah? So, you must be used to being in front of the camera?”
“You really want to take her picture, don’t you.” I smiled. Then laughed. “Now look who’s awkward!”
Ares stiffened beside me.
“Not you, hot stuff,” I assured him. “I was telling Ava about my finger guns, and she was making fun of me. Now the tables have turned and she’s the one who’s tongue-tied.”
Taking a beleaguered breath, Ares looked to the ceiling.
Ava laughed.
Inky squealed and reached for my donut, breaking through the last of the tension.
An hour later, I hugged Ava goodbye and helped Ares bundle Anastasia back into her snuggly. The day was mild for December, and we decided to walk up to the park where we were meeting Lucky, Minty, and Brayleigh.
Ares swung the heavy café door open, and I eased the stroller over the threshold. “So. Ava. Other than the fact that her beauty bowled you over, what did you think?”
“She seems nice.”
“Nice,” I grunted.
“Yeah. Nice. What’s wrong with nice?”
“Well,” I huffed. “Are you attracted to her?”
He jerked his chin back at my question. “Should I answer honestly? I feel like this is a trick.”
“You should definitely answer honestly,” I replied sharply, suddenly realizing how very new we were. How very fragile.
“She’s beautiful,” he began carefully. “I think she’d light up the cameras. I think I’m feeling admiration for her beauty but nothing sexual.” He tipped his head to the side, his eyes far away. “However, if I didn’t have you-”
I covered his mouth with my palm and laughed. “You should stop while you’re ahead.”
His eyes crinkled as he gazed down at me softly.
A look I’d never seen on his face before.
Every day he gave me something new.
“Hopeless!” Lucky yelled and waved.
Brayleigh’s head snapped up and she toddled to her feet and took off at a run.
