Page 70 of Faking Romance

“Did you fill her up on sugar before bringing her here?” I ask as I stare at the whirlwind that is Ava.

Bray smirks. “Nope.”

“We got ice cream!” she yells as she stops spinning and falls on the ground, spreading out her limbs like a starfish and making a fake snow angel.

“Great,” I say sarcastically, glaring at Bray who just hands me the bag.

“Thanks. I owe you. Carly will be home in like two hours. Later, Aves!” Bray says.

She gets up and runs over to hug him. He picks her up and twirls her around and she laughs. Then he sets her down and they do some ridiculous handshake thing that ends with bumping hips.

I roll my eyes as Bray leaves.

“Whatcha doing?” Ava asks as she looks around my apartment.

I run a hand through my hair. “Well, I was going to work on some music.”

“Can I help?” she asks as she points to my cello. “I think I still remember that song you taught me.”

I chuckle as I watch her walk over to examine the bow. “Unfortunately, I have to play something a little more complicated than that song. How about we go to the park? I can finish this later.”

“Really?” she asks, her eyebrows shooting up as she walks back over to me.

“Sure. Why not?”

She does a fist pump. “Yes!” Looking up at me, she adds, “I love the park. Can we feed the ducks?”

At the end of the trail in the park, there’s a duck pond. And all the kids love feeding the ducks.

“I suppose. Come on,” I say as I grab my keys and set her bag down. Fortunately, Licorice has remained elusive or we’d never be leaving.

We walk downstairs and she runs out the front door.

“Ava! Hold up!” I call out as I shut the door. I freeze when my eyes lock with Roxy’s.

“Miss Roxy!” Ava calls out as she runs over and wraps her arms around Roxy’s thighs.

“Oh, uh, hey, Ava,” Roxy stammers as her gaze continues to stay fixated on me.

“We’re going to the park. You wanna come with us?” Ava asks with a big smile. Fuck. This kid is adorable. She has zero idea that an entire building of adults would gladly step in front of oncoming traffic for her. “Please!” she adds while giving her best puppy dog eyes.

Roxy slowly changes her focus from me to Ava. “Well, cutie pie, I have to work. But maybe another time. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of fun with Mr. Gray.”

Ava waves her hand at me. “Mr. Gray is just Mr. Gray, but you…you’re much cooler.”

“Hey!” I protest, suddenly feeling very jealous of Roxy for completely unrealistic reasons. I’m about to say more when the door opens and Al walks out. Ava spins around and runs straight into Al’s open arms. He chuckles and tosses her into the air as if she weighs nothing and he’s half his age. Then she wraps her arms around his neck and nuzzles her face against his cheek.

“Good afternoon, Miss Ava,” Al says in his gravelly old voice.

“Do you want to come with Mr. Gray and me to feed the ducks?” she asks as she leans back and looks at him. I swear their interaction makes me want a kid and at the same time I feel bad that my future kids won’t have a grandparent like Al. He’s the best.

Al glances over at me and I shrug. “The more the merrier,” I say.

“I suppose I could use a walk. Lead the way, young lady,” he says as he sets her down. He looks over at Roxy. “You joining us?”

She shakes her head and motions to the store. “Not today, Al. I have some things to get done. But you guys have fun.”

Al looks between us and I can see him trying to figure out what is going on. Great. Now, I’m about to get the Spanish Inquisition.

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