Page 17 of Three Hearts Hideaway

No, it wasn’t until Logan saw Ava yesterday that his attitude changed. Something about the situation bothered his best friend, and he would make it his mission to find out.

“How’s this?” Roman asked after arranging the two loungers to overlook the pine trees behind the building.

“I love it,” Ava said, setting the table between them. “Now I just need a cup of tea, a book, and I could lounge here for hours.”

“Let me get you some.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean right now. There’s still plenty to do.”

“Take a break for half an hour, I insist. You want Earl Grey? Herbal? Matcha?”

She grinned. “If youinsist. Earl Grey, please and thank you. And I’ll get you that five bucks for the maple butter.”

Roman liked this girl. A lot. Sure, they’d only spent a day and a half together at this point, but she radiated an energy that spoke to him. She was easy to talk to. He didn’t find there were any awkward moments together. And their chemistry was through the roof. Was this what a soulmate felt like?

The heat in her eyes was the same as the heat in his. He’d made his attraction no secret. Any chance he got today, he’d touched her. An arm around her shoulder, a playful touch on her hand, a flirtatious whisper with his lips almost on her ear.

He jogged downstairs to the kitchen and put the kettle on. If Ava had given him any sign she wasn’t interested, he’d have backed off. But she leaned in to his touches and grabbed his hand playfully when they walked through the stores. Her skin on his made his heart beat out of his chest. It was insane that another man let her go. Scratch that. It was insane that another man insulted her, humiliated her, and practically forced her to leave her home. If Roman was a different man, he might have a mind to track down Sebastian and teach him a lesson.

But he was a lover, not a fighter.

Logan was the fighter. He was slightly taller than Roman, with a more athletic build compared to his own broad frame, and the anger inside fueled Logan. That rage was a scary thing to behold when Logan directed it at someone specific. That didn’t happen often. In fact, Roman had seen it no more than twice in their eighteen years as friends.

Once, when Logan’s dad breezed into town unannounced and tried to make a half-assed apology for treating Logan like shit growing up. And once when an idiot was speeding downMain Street in his car and almost hit a kid on her bike. Both times, Logan chewed those men up and spit them out.

He sagged against the nearest kitchen cabinet. Thank goodness Ava could stay. They’d already discussed her helping put the finishing touches on the guest suites. When he’d asked if she wanted to finish tiling the rest of the showers, her eyes gleamed, obviously thrilled to be allowed to help.

Honestly, he didn’t care if she lifted a finger. Roman just wanted her near. She made his heart race and his palms sweat. Not to mention his dick got a semi whenever she bent over to get something. Or whenever he thought about that damn kiss.

The entire drive home, Ava spouted off ideas about how she would help, drumming her fingers against his truck’s windowpane. She’d tile the showers, tape the other two rooms to get them ready for painting, and bring them all beer after a long day of work. He loved watching the spark in her light up, especially after she arrived so dejected.

He poured the boiling water into a mug, added the tea bag, and snagged a fluffy blanket from the living area. He understood the time he’d spent with Ava was short, but something inside him screamed she was the person he’d been waiting for. All the time alone served a purpose. It brought her to him—forehead plastered on his bartop—and he wanted her to stay.

AVA

All things considered, Ava had a delightful day. Exploring Little Greenfield and picking out furniture in Huntsville with Roman was energizing. After getting the hell out of dodge, and landing in a place she’d never been before, she needed a day like this.A day to explore what life could be like away from Sebastian’s control. The flirty touches and looks Roman gave her didn’t hurt, either.

It’s not like she didn’t reciprocate. He was stupidly attractive and had a heart of gold. She’d be a fool not to, right? Not to mention that kiss was one of the best she’d had in a long time. Maybe ever.

She never thought she’d be interested in someone so quickly after the Sebastian debacle. There was a reason she was in Little Greenfield. And perhaps the sexy bar owner who was building his own bed and breakfast could help her discover what she actually wanted in a partner. If her desires were something worth fighting for, or if she should give in to the life she already knew.

Dispassionate, boring sex.

An ex-boyfriend who treated her like dirt.

The answer seemed obvious. But finding the mental and emotional strength to return home and say good riddance to Sebastian once and for all would be difficult. He constantly wormed his way into her life one way or another. She needed to experience life outside her bubble in Ottawa and outside of Sebastian’s reach.

Tip-toeing down the staircase, she made her way to the guys’ shared bathroom. Roman went to bed earlier, so she’d kept busy applying grout to the tiles she’d installed. Eager for a good scrub after making somewhat of a mess, she hoped the bathroom was free. No need for any unnecessary run-ins with Logan.

Even though he relented and said she could stay, she felt something was going on with him. Whether he still didn’t want her there, found her annoying, or he didn’t make friends quickly—something crawled up his ass the moment they’d met. How to get it out was a mystery.

When she entered the back part of the bed and breakfast, the first thing she noticed was the closed washroom door. Just her luck. She sidled closer and listened for running water or brushing teeth.

Nothing.

No sounds from within, but light spilled from beneath the door. Strange.

She tried the handle. Unlocked. She opened it slowly and took a tentative step inside.

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