Page 41 of Whatever You Want

“Hey, kiddo, what are you doing here?”

My eyes moved over to the older lady that was standing behind her. “I’m sorry to interrupt your lunch date, but my granddaughter said you were her friend, and she wanted to come say hello.”

Granddaughter? Great! This was Ava’s mom, and she thought I was on a date. This wasn’t awkward at all. I ran a hand through my hair, praying she didn’t overhear my conversation with Renee.

I held my hand out. “I’m glad you stopped by. I’m Logan Blake, it’s nice to meet you.”

If her daughter mentioned my name, she didn’t show it. It was stupid to let that bother me, but it did anyway.

“Judith.” She shook my hand.

I took her in; she was a picture of class and elegance, yet her demeanor was friendly and warm. I shifted my attention back to my little friend. “Isn’t today a school day?”

“It’s summer break, duh.”

I snapped my fingers and played dumb. “Oh, that’s right. Aren’t you supposed to be at summer camp?”

She shook her head back and forth. “Not today, Wednesday is my day with Grandma.”

“Well, lucky Grandma.” I looked up at the woman with short, brown hair the same color as Ava’s, except it had a little gray peppered in. “What do you ladies have planned for the day?”

“We’re going to Independence Hall and then going on a carriage ride,” Madison said with her eyes lighting up. I could tell she was getting impatient and wanted to get moving. “Do you want to come with us?”

“Wow. That’s sounds like fun. I wish I could, but I’m working today. I’m just finishing up my work lunch with ADA Alverez, and then I have to head back to the station.”

I could feel Renee’s gaze on me. No doubt the wheels were spinning in her head.

Madison’s smile turned into a pout. I hated disappointing her. I reached out and adjusted the small backpack around her shoulders. “If I didn’t have to worry about getting in trouble with my boss, I would be happy to tag along. Maybe we can pick another time when Brina and your mom can go too.”

That seemed to appease her, but damn, for someone who probably weighed no more than fifty-five pounds, she knew how to throw one hell of a guilt trip.

“Why don’t we let Mr. Blake get back to his lunch,” Judith said, reaching for Madison’s hand.

“Okay.” She didn’t look too happy about that, but she knew throwing a fit wasn’t going to do her any good. “Are you coming over this week? My mom bought an aquarium for the fish you won her at the carnival.”

My lips quirked up at that. “Did she? I’ll have to come by later and check it out.”

“Yay.” She clapped her hands and surprised me when she threw herself into my arms. I held her tight, inhaling her strawberry-scented shampoo. This little girl was slowly working her way into my heart, just like her mother.

I kissed the top of her head. “Have a good day, sweetheart.”

Judith looked mildly intrigued. She seemed to have a million questions to ask me but instead gave me a tight nod and walked away.

I watched them stroll out of the restaurant and turned back to Renee. “Sorry, about that.”

Renee placed her hands under her chin and arched an eyebrow. “It makes sense now. You’re seeing someone.”

She didn’t sound pissed off or annoyed, so I took that as a good sign. “It’s new.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You better hope your ex-wife doesn’t find out.”

Renee knew about Vanessa’s craziness. It was another reason why I liked her enough to keep seeing her on the regular. She went through a messy divorce herself and wanted to keep what we had private and casual. With Ava, though, there was nothing casual about her.

The sun was warm on my back as I peered through the windows of Ava’s salon. I watched her, completely mesmerized as she moved around with ease, laughing lightly with an older lady sitting in the chair at the end. Her long dark hair was loose, tickling her back as she retrieved something out of the cabinet. Memories flooded my mind as I recalled the soft and silky texture beneath my fingertips. That kiss on the couch wasn’t enough. I didn’t know what it was about her, but I wanted more, and not just physically.

I ran a hand through my hair, wondering what had happened to me. Typically, I was the guy waiting for the girl to walk my way. Truthfully, I didn’t have to try or chase a girl. It just happened. I could call Renee and have simple and easy. But simple and easy got boring after a while. It seemed lately I wanted messy and complicated.

Before I could talk myself out of this any further, I squared my shoulders and took confident strides toward the front door.

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