Page 32 of Ava
“That’s what I’m thinking. That was nice of them, they didn’t have to do that.”
“I agree. Now, I know we still have a lot of things to do, but how do you feel about grabbing some lunch. I usually hate to shop, but I really hate to do it on an empty stomach. If I can help Morgan out by doing this, then I’ll endure.”
“Lunch sounds wonderful, but I’m buying.” When she went to protest, he quirked a brow at her.
“Fine. I’ll leave the tip.”
“Sounds like a plan. While we’re eating, we can decide if we want to go to the store for the towels, and bedding, like Maddison suggested, or if we want to go look at TVs. How many are you thinking?”
“I have no clue. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t watch it that often, and if the letters Morgan sent out yesterday are answered, one of the women coming to us is a communications expert.”
“Which means?”
“Which means that she’s an expert in cameras, video, communications stuff, Morgan wants to wire the outside of the house, garage, and her office for security.”
“Ah, now I understand. Will she be doing the inside?”
“No, Morgan says that’s too private. And before you ask, I have no clue what type of equipment she’ll need. I don’t know whether it’s a regular TV, or something special. I think if I get one, then I’ll only get one for the living room. We can always come back when the others arrive. I know Morgan said we can, but I don’t want one in my bedroom. I’d just as soon have a radio.”
“Mark that on your list, we can look to see what they have. Do you have music on your phone?”
“I do.” Justin nodded and put the truck in gear after he started it. They drove down the street that had several restaurants on either side of the road. They settled on a place that served an all you can eat buffet, and by the time they filled their first plates, both of their stomachs were growling.
“Salad?” Justin laughed as he looked at her plate.
“Hey, I had to have something healthy before I piled on the fried chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy.” She laughed as she pointed at his plate with her fork.
He shook his head, picked up a piece of the fried chicken, and took a big bite, then he rolled his eyes in the back of his head, and groaned. “This is good, you’re going to love it.”
“Just don’t eat it all before I can get some.”
He laughed and they settled in to eat. They spent the next hour eating, taking their time and talking. For the first time in a long, long time, Ava felt comfortable talking to a man. She didn’t feel like she had to put on an act with him, she could be herself. After they finished, Justin took the bill as soon as it was laid down, and when Ava reached for her purse, he scowled at her.
“Tip,” was all she said, and he nodded, but watched her closely as she placed a ten under the corner of her plate, then he helped her up, and together they went to the front.
Once back out in the truck, he looked at her and grinned. “Where to next?”
“I know you might not like this, but how about we grab the kitchen items, and towels, and bedding. It’ll fit in the back seat, won’t it?”
“It will, then we can get the TV last, and head for home?”
“Yes, that’s what I was thinking.” She looked at the clock on the dash and frowned. “Do you think we could be back by supper. Not that I’m hungry, but I will be by six.”
“I think so, it’s only noon now, how hard is it to buy all the other stuff.”
“Don’t forget, we need to find a washer and dryer also or two of each”
“Shit, that’s right.” He nodded, and backed out of the parking lot. They ended up going to the local chain retail store, and they both grabbed a cart to head to the bedding department. That took two hours to gather everything, and when Justin took his full cart back to get another one, Ava began to wonder if he’d gotten lost. When he finally arrived back at her side, she only frowned at him.
“I explained to the service desk that we might have three carts or more. They’re holding our stuff up there.”
“Oh, I didn’t think of that.” She piled the stuff she’d been holding while waiting for a cart, and smiled when she realized he’d gotten two more carts. He took the full one up, and was back in under five minutes, with yet another empty cart. After Ava was satisfied by her choices, she looked up and grinned.
“What, I don’t know if I like that grin.”
“I need to purchase some pop for Lucas, and myself, and some other things.”
“Oh. Why don’t I take these up, and you do what you have to?. Do you trust me with the credit card, or are you going to put your purchases on it?”
