Page 12 of We Never Kissed

“Alex, no,” I heard Ava say behind me.

Not that Sammy and I went around looking for bar brawls, but we’d been in our fair share of scuffles. That, however, was not what triggered Ava’s concern. She was remembering about five years back, when I was in Vegas for a bachelor party. Sammy hadn’t wanted to leave Cass, because she was pregnant with Dax, but I still made a point to check in on Ava. I’d misjudged the situation. I could see that now. But when I had seen hands on her, and she didn’t look happy about it, I saw red. Without hesitation, I’d flattened the guy. Ava had been embarrassed, sure, pissed too, but more than that the fear on her face was like a knife to my chest. I never wanted to see that look on her face again.

So, I would keep my cool.

“Alex…” Ava rasped out again.

“It’s fine,” I threw over my shoulder. Then I faced the guy, made eye contact, and said, “Sorry, man. Let me ask the server to bring you another one.”

The guy in front of me was about my height but a little smaller in build, short blond hair and pale skin. “Damn right you will. Looks like you need to control your kidandyour woman.”

What the hell?

The woman he was with picked up the car and gently set it onto our table before sitting back down without saying a word. I gave her a nod and heard Ava tell her, “Thank you.”

“Look, man, he’s just a kid, and it was an accident,” I said, not hearing much sincerity in my voice. “Are your damn eggs so important to you that you need to get in my face?”

“It’s not just the car. He’s been loud as shit since you got here. Keep it down, and we won’t have a problem.”

I had a choice to make in that moment. Sure I could apologize, again, promise to keep Dax quiet, which I knew wouldn’t happen. Or we could find another table, or even just leave the café altogether. But this guy was pissing me off. I’d done the right thing, and he wasn’t having it.

So, instead I leaned in so only he could hear me. “Look, I tried to make it right, but I think you just want to be a dick. Now if I wipe the floor with your face, my woman is going to be pissed. But I’m willing to risk it, if you don’t get out of my face right fucking now.” I only pulled back enough so he could see in my eyes I meant it.

He maintained eye contact for about ten more seconds before he pulled back. “Whatever…” He turned away, saying, “I don’t have time to wait for more food. Let’s go, Dee.”

“We’ll get your bill,” Ava said before I could.

The couple left without further incident, and Ava and I exchanged sly grins. Dax was none the wiser, which was good because I didn’t want him tattling to Mommy and Daddy. When the server returned. I took care of the couple’s check, then the three of us ordered the Dax special plus two hot chocolates: one for Dax and one for Ava—her favorite. I knew all Ava’s favorites. Despite spending years in different states, I felt like I knew almost every damn thing about her.

Which was why I found it strange that I’d heard very little about this Gunnar guy. I didn’t have time to pump Sammy for info, and the only reference I could pull from my memory banks was something Ava’s dad said a few years back after a visit to Vegas. He talked about someone with an unusual name—could have been Gunnar. I wasn’t about to ask Ava. Not yet anyway. I was too busy watching her sip hot chocolate and grin like a school girl.

After the café, we walked to the beach, since the hotel was just a block away. We both wanted to give Sammy and Cass as much time alone as possible, given that they rarely took time away from the bakery. Truth be told, I never wanted the day to end for selfish reasons.

The three of us strolled along the boardwalk, Dax between us, holding each of our hands. It was a vision I’d allow myself to picture only on rare occasions. Ava’s dark hair blew across her face with the slight breeze, and Iwanted so badly to brush it away, run my thumb over her lip, then draw her mouth to mine.

She grinned when she caught me watching. “What?”

I shook my head. “Nothing. I was just enjoying hanging out with you…without the drama, that is.” I flashed her a crooked smile, but it didn’t soften the blow.

“Drama? Wait a minute…” She scoffed. “Which one of us is responsible for drama?”

I lifted one shoulder. “Not me?”

“Funny because I was about to say the same thing.”

“What’s drama?” Dax said, trying to skip faster than we were walking.

Ava and I exchanged surprised glances, as if we’d both forgotten little ears were listening.

“Why don’t we get you something to drink, buddy?”

“I’m not firsty. I want to play in the sand.”

We stopped and moved aside from the flow of pedestrians. Ava eyed my jeans, tennis shoes, and polo shirt. “It’s fine with me but…”

“I don’t mind. Whatever he wants.”

“Yay!” Dax took off, dragging Ava behind him.

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