Page 51 of Maid in Heaven

“Hegets around. He’s like a genuineho.”

Ava felt her levels of frustration rise. “If he’s such aho, why didn’t he evenkissmeat the end of the datelast night?”

Silence filled the air between them.

Madison was rendered speechless…

Foronce.

“You didn’t even get akiss?” she crowed loudly. This time, her voice attracted the attention of an irritated nearbypatron. Her head whipped toward him. “Buzz off, creep, this is a private conversation.”

Ava slunk down in her seat, looked at the man apologetically, and mouthed‘I’m sorry.’

“Don’t make me feel even worse,Madison.” Ava shoved the palms of her hands to her face. “I… I don’t get it! We were having fun. I was getting all the signs.”

Madison leaned back and shrugged. “Maybe it was the blood. Nobody wants to kiss a scabby mess.”

“Could be.” Ava bobbled her head, eyes still cast to the table between them. “I’m goin’out with himagain tomorrow, so we will see.”

“Well… that’s a good sign!”

“Yeah, I dunno.I really like him. I’m not sure he’s attracted to me.”

“Oh, come on.” Madison set her cup back down. “Seriously, look at you! When you’re not all busted up lookin’ like you’ve been chasin’ parked cars, you’re abombshell. I’dseenthe caliber of guysyou’ve been able to pull over the years. And oddly enough, you married theugliest one. Trust me, you’re finally battin’in the rightleaguenow.”

“Dan wasn’t…ugly.”

“Yes, he was. Guy had a face like someone litit on fire and put it out with a shovel.”

“No, he didn’t.”

“He had a face you sit on just so you don’t have tolookat it.”

“GoodGod, Maddy!”

“What, Harla?” Madison chuckled. “Hewas a cheatin’prick. Fuck him.”

Ava thought back to the affair, ashamed at how many signs and red flags she’d missed. Ava shook the thought away and snickered. “Youare suchadick,you know that?”

“Hey, youarewhat youeat.” Madison pretended to wipe the corners of her mouth.

“This is nuts. I’ve never had toconvincea man to kiss me before.”

“It’ll be worth the wait when he does, I’m sure. Shit’ll probably make your toes curl.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“What if I told youthatI heard from averytrusted source—”

“Trish.”

“—That he has a big dick?”Madison continued, talking over her.

Avaslowly sat up, rolling her shoulders back into a more confident posture. “How… uh… howbig we talkin’?”

“My source—”

“Trish.”

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