Page 43 of Reckless Encounters

She needs my help right now. It's the least I can do to make up for my behavior. “Av, there is no rush to find something. I have plenty of room.”

She side-eyes me as we continue our walk. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel like I'm invading your place.”

“I'm sure… That little black demon you call a cat is welcome too,” I tease, hoping to bring back the lightness between us.

“I think he has daddy issues… Maybe that’s why he was all up on you this morning.”

We both break into laughter at that.

“Thank you, Parker. Honestly, it means a lot to me.”

“I'm glad I can help,” I say with a genuine smile. Even though the thought of sharing my personal space scares the shit out of me, it also fills me with a strange thrill. I’ve come to realize I need to stop letting the past control my life. There’s just something about her being around that makes me want to push forward…be better. I relish the fact that I get to actually be there for her in the ways I want to be.

We’re about a block away from the office, and I can tell by the gnawing on her lip that she’s deep in thought. But before I can ask her, she speaks.

“What’s your favorite type of take out?”

I chuckle at the random question. “Hmm, If I’d have to choose, I’d say sushi or Thai.”

“Mmm, I love Thai food,” she practically moans.

Fuck, that sound is addicting.

“Can I ask why the random question?”

She turns to me as we wait for the light at the crosswalk. “Because I’m treating you to dinner tonight. As a thank you,” she beams.

“You don’t have to do that. I'm usually home quite late,” I try to argue.

“I know, I know…you’re a workaholic. Good thing Thai is easy to reheat.” She winks, then begins crossing when the light turns green.

“I’ll try to make it home at a decent time.” No sooner are the words out of my mouth am I questioning their meaning.

“No worries, I have to hit up Target at some point today, then I have dance class. So I’d say I’ll be home around seven-thirty.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I agree as we approach the main doors.

Something about all this has my stomach tightening. Her staying the night, seeing her in her natural state, making her coffee, observing her move about my space, walking to work with her, arranging to be home to have dinner together… I’m…enjoying it, and that makes me feel like I’m about to freefall into something I can’t handle.

Ava turns to me with a sly smile on her face. “I'm going to head in first… You know, wouldn’t want us walking in together to raise questions.”

“I don’t give a fuck what people think,” I retort.

“Oh, I know you don’t, bossman. But you know with that no fraternization policy, I wouldn’t want any trouble.” She quirks an eyebrow.

Trying my best to school my face, I gesture for her to go ahead. She nods and strolls past me. I don’t miss the extra sway of her hips as she strides through the doors.

Well played, little brat… Well played.

Eleven

Iapproach the temporary sitting area in the hotel lobby, and Logan immediately stands to greet me. Intentionally slowing my steps, I stop at the chair across from his. Our eyes meet, and thankfully, he reads the room and doesn’t attempt to hug me. “Hi, Ava. Thanks for hearing me out.”

After deciding that Logan really didn’t deserve my time, especially with everything I have going on right now, I canceled lunch and asked him if we could talk for a few at the hotel.

“Logan, I’m not here to hear you out. My only intention is to clear the air so we can move forward for work.”

His expression is full of regret as he responds, “I understand, but truly, that text wasn’t as bad as it probably seemed. She’s an old…” I hold my hand up, stopping him from making more excuses that are just going to piss me off.

---