Page 16 of I Can't Help It

Wyatt: I miss you already.

Such a dweeb.

* * *

I used my maps app to find Ava’s house, but I’m convinced I could’ve made it on my own.

Probably. Assuming the light gray, white-trimmed house to my left is actually hers, I pull into the driveway. I planned on seeing her car as verification, but it must be inside the garage.

Well, if this is someone else’s house, I’ll just apologize and offer them a pumpkin spice muffin.

Yeah. I grabbed some muffins from a local bakery on my way over here. If I were coming to pick up anyone else, I probably would’ve just brought coffee…but Ava doesn’t like coffee. That was one of the first things I learned from being around her at the office.

Anyway, I’m on the front porch now and I just rang the doorbell, so we’re about to find out if this is the right house or not. Maybe I should’ve texted her, that way she—

“Ah, you must be Luke!”

A woman I’ve never seen before, who’s probably in her mid-forties or so, is the one who opens the front door. Then I remember Wyatt telling me that Ava’s aunt raised her after she lost her parents at a young age, and the two of them live together.

“I’m Katherine,” she introduces herself with a bright smile. “Ava is my niece.”

I smile back. “It’s nice to meet you, Katherine.”

“Likewise, but feel free to call me Aunt Kat, or just Kat.”

Her blue eyes do a quick sweep over me, and I feel like I’m being graded on a school project.

Except the school project is me.

“Why don’t you come inside, Luke?” she offers, her gaze finding mine again. “Ava is finishing up with her luggage.”

So, I’m guessing that means I passed?

Either way, I follow her into the house and close the front door behind us.

It shouldn’t matter what Ava’s aunt thinks of me, but I find myself wanting to make a good impression anyway.

“Are you looking forward to the trip?” Katherine asks, leading the way to their living room. “Ava always has such a nice time when she does her on-site visits.”

“I’ve just never really done an on-site visit before,” I confess as we both sit down. “Our boss threw a curveball at me when he said I’d be in charge of doing one.”

“I’m sure it will be wonderful, and I know Ava is happy to help with whatever you need.”

My eyes widen at the last part of her statement. Did she mean for that to sound suggestive? Or am I crazy and reading way too much into it?

“Are you liking it at the office?” she continues to speak, oblivious to my overactive mind. “Ava told me that you’ve been a really great addition to the team.”

Excitement builds in my chest with hesitation. Ava said that about me?

She probably says that kind of stuff about everyone at work.

Maybe not about Ralph though. I’ve never heard a single person say good things about the office grump.

Oh wait! Someone did tell me once that Ralph bakes very well.

But apparently, he’s stingy with his recipes.

“Darn it! I am so rude!” Katherine exclaims with a huff. “Honey, did you—”

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