Page 37 of Maid in Heaven

“Thank you.”

She entered, and he took her coat, whistling at the red dress beneath it, which hugged her delightfully curvaceous hips.

“My Lord.” He bit his knuckle. “You are just… something else.”

Ava felt red bloom through her cheeks.

“Come. Come. Welcome toCafe du Jessup.”

Though spotless, Will’s home had a cozy feel.His house, smaller than most in the area, felt warm and full of life, filled with the scents of fresh coffee and lemon cleaner.

“How ‘bout a tour while the food I just pulled out of the oven cools?”

“Sure.” Ava nodded, looking around.

Will waved her to the hallway, and she followed him down past several rooms extending off either side until the hallway came to a T. Avawondered to herself how many women he had given the same tour to.

“Guest room.” He gestured to his leftand then moved to his right. “This one is my, like, I dunno what you’d call it… study? Office?”

Ava poked her head inside. Coffee-colored walls were dotted withnature photographs of local wildlife.A cushy, high-backed reading chair sat in one corner next to a tall bookcase loaded with paperbacks. A spotless desk with a small home computer took up the central space.

She followed Will further. He rapped a knuckle on one door.

“My room.”

Ava felt the raptors claw at her stomach again and heat between her thighs. She wanted to see the room, to see if his bed was as she’d imagined…

“Forgive the mess. This one’s Starla’s room.” He quickly swung open the door. The pink room was full of stuffed animals, piles of clothes, craft projects, and posters of unicorns. A hot pink canopy laced with string lights draped over an unmade bed. Will grimaced at the state of the room before shutting the door and leading Ava to the living room. He motioned to a plush couch with rich brown throw pillows on each side.

“And obviously, this is the living room.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.” He snatched the remote from the coffee table,which was an elevated wagon wheel topped with athick,circular piece of glass.He flipped through TV apps until he found avideo of a crackling fireplace.He placed the remote back on the table.

“I’ll be backin a second with the food. Make yourself at home.”

Ava nodded and walked in a slow circle around the room, soaking everything in. Eggshell-colored baseboards butted againstcreamy beige walls.Raw beams of oak ran along the length of the ceiling. Wrought iron sconces carried a warmth throughout. A beveled mirror hung beside the entrance to the kitchen. Black-and-white one-sheets from classic films adorned the walls, each in a large, uniquely-distressed frame. She studied all of the movie posters, arms clasped behind her back as if viewing works of art at a museum.

Wild Strawberries. Nosferatu. Dr. Strangelove. The Maltese Falcon…

All of them were originals, with fold marks carving them into squares throughout the image.

There were framed photos, too. Will and his daughter at the beach. Teenage Will, presumably at his high school graduation with his armsaround what looked to be two proud parents.An infant swaddled in a ballerina blanket.

There were rustic figurines of black bears and elk along a thin table piled with opened mail. A rolled yoga mat tucked neatly beneath a decorative chair. Pink, tiny snow boots and jackets were neatly against the wall by the foyer. Thesmall details gave the homewarmth and a charm she hadn’t expected. She worked her way back to the entertainment stand and eyed the rows of DVDs and Blu-rays. Some classics. Some children’s movies. Many of theclassicsshe’d seen before. Others looked unfamiliar.Some titles wereevenin different languages. None of the cases were still in the wrapping.

Will emerged from the kitchen with a platter of jalapeno poppers in one hand and red nuggets of something in the other. “I didn’t know what you liked, so I made a few things. We have poppers and buffalo cauliflower bites. They taste like buffalo chicken but with a fraction of the calories.” He set them down on the wagon wheel table. “Not that you need to watch your figure. I, however, do. No one wants big-ol’ beer-gut Will to scrub their hot tub in fireman pants.” He patted his abdomen, one Ava already knew had a chiseled six-pack. “I also have nuggets because, let’s face it, who doesn’t like chicken nuggets?”

“I actuallylovechicken nuggets.” Ava covered her smile.

“Yesssss. Good.” Will pulled a fist down in the air. “And also coffee, which will be like a religious experience for you.”

“Bring it on.”

Will disappeared into the kitchen and returned with two steaming mugs of coffee and a plate of nuggets precariously balanced on his veiny forearm.

“Here, let me help.” Ava jumped up to take the mugs, brushing his fingers gently with her own as she did. She smiled, nerves jangled, and took a seat on the couch. She patted the spot next to her.

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