Page 14 of We Never Kissed

“Guess he made quite an impression on me.”

“Well, most people who meet Gunnar never forget him…”

One side of his mouth quirked up in a sexy smile that made my heart pound. “Maybe I was distracted…”

“Anyway… We’ve actually known each other for a long time. Well, we danced together for a long time, but we only grew close in the last couple of years.”

“And you guys never…” Rubbing his jaw, he watched me intently.

“No! I mean, we might have had a drunken make-out session once, but we realized we were so much better friends. We have a lot in common, but we both really bonded over doing charity work. Instead of regular coffee dates, we volunteer together.” A nervous energy in my stomach told me I was in dangerous territory talking about my volunteer work. I’d been hesitant to bring up Alex’s mom, and yet as long as I don’t, it feels like lying.

“Can I ask you something?”

I nodded.

“Since I’ve known you, you’ve always wanted to help people. You always loved volunteering at the hospital with your mom, and now you’re doing this charity work with Gunnar. So, why are you working at a publishing company?”

“Because I have a degree in English…and Mark helped me get the job.”

He looked thoughtful then, and I hoped he wasn’t judging me. The days of Alex trying to tell me what to do were over. But then he surprised me with, “You’re an amazing woman, Ava, and I think your heart is telling you which direction to go in. You left Mark. Maybe it’s time to leave that job too.”

“God, I hate it when you’re right.” My eyes popped wide. “Shit, did I say that out loud?”

“I’m afraid so.”

That sexy grin was shining bright, and all I could think about was him leaning over and pressing his mouth to mine. My breath grew heavy as we gazed across the small space.

“Alex,” I said at the same time he said, “Listen…”

We laughed but before either of us could continue, the captain announced our descent.

“That was fast,” I said, even though I knew LA to Harry Reid was a quick trip. My heart sank as realization set in. We would go our separate ways, and I wasn’t sure when I’d see Alex. I’d be home in a few days, but then what? If he wasn’t ready to talk about a relationship, then clearly he wasn’t ready to have one.

Once we landed and were given the all clear to remove our seatbelts and get our bags, disappointment pouredover me. What did I think was going to happen? That Alex would profess his love to me, take me into his arms, make love to me right there on the plane like in some romance movie? Any or all of the above would have been nice…

Silently, I reached for my small carryon and slung it over my shoulder, avoiding Alex’s gaze. He was in front of me, so I couldn’t move until he did. When his fingers touched just under my chin and nudged it up, I startled, eyes wide as they connected with his.

“What’s wrong, Ava?” He said it softly, and his sincere concern cut like a dagger to my heart.

I shook my head, afraid to say the wrong thing but more scared of not saying anything.

“You’re upset…at me?” And then he grinned.

“Is this funny to you?”

Alex released my chin and ran his hand down my hair, stepping closer so our bodies brushed against each other. “No,” he whispered, his lips near mine. “I was just thinking about the irony.”

“Of what?” I said, breathless.

“The last time you were mad at me at an airport.”

Chapter 8

Ava

Four Years Ago

It was a little after two in the morning, when I raced down the hall of the hospital and fell into Alex’s arms. Without heels on, my five-foot-five frame practically disappeared within his six-foot-two stature, with his broad shoulders and solid chest. All the panic and worry that had built-up on the plane flight over, as well as the subsequent cab ride, was still present, but I no longer felt alone in my worry. Just the feel of Alex’s body against mine comforted me in a way I knew no one else could.

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