Page 125 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

He chuckles. “We’ll get it figured out. Come inside with me.”

He opens the door for me and motions me to take a seat in the small waiting area inside. I might’ve stared at his ass in his athletic shorts when he walked away.

I check my unread messages while I wait for him. One of them is from my dad, checking in on how the move is going. I try to ignore the pang in my chest when I fire off a response, reassuring him everything went smoothly and I’m thrilled to be moved into my new place.

He replies immediately, likely waiting to hear from me with an update, telling me he’s happy to hear I made it safely and am getting settled. He follows it up with a photo of my mom on the couch, her leg propped in front of her and a warm smile on her face.

I don’t notice him until he’s standing in front of me and hear the throaty sound of his voice clearing.

“Ava?”

My head snaps up to meet his, and a slow smile stretches across his face.

I try not to overthink how he looks at me or the way my heart races and warmth spreads through my body when I see him grin.

“I got everything sorted for you. We’ll keep your stuff locked up until you can move into your apartment next week.”

“Wait, that’s it? Don’t you need my payment or anything?”

“We’ll call it a favor.” He winks.

I drag my lip between my teeth and smile.

“There has to be some way I could repay you for your kindness.”

I’m waiting for him to bring up our conversation yesterday outside the gym or again last night at the bonfire. His gaze locks on my lips and his nostrils flare before meeting mine.

“Well, you could let me take you out for a drink. I’m off now and wouldn’t mind grabbing dinner while we’re at it.”

I study him. I need to figure out where I’m going to stay for the next week, but at the same time, I wouldn’t mind distracting myself some more by hanging out with him.

“You never did tell me your name…” I say, noting he’s not wearing a badge.

He holds his hand out between us, and I slip my hand into his.

“My bad. It’s Colter. Colter Vaughn.”

He brushes his hand over my skin again and pulls me toward him.

“Besides, something tells me you could use a drink after the turn of events today.”

Three

COLTER

Ava lifts her glass of whiskey and Coke to her lips, takes a drink, and sighs.

“You were right. I needed this drink.” She giggles.

Her eyes and smile are brighter now, and the tension she carried before seems to have lessened.

“Everything will work out the way it’s meant to. No reason to let it stress you out,” I mutter, taking a drink of my beer.

“You believe that too?”

I raise my brow at her. “My best friend, Hallyn, gives me shit for believing that there’s always a greater meaning to what happens to us. The burnt toast theory.”

“The burnt what?”

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