“Cool! Oh, I see Doug. See ya!” He takes off to go greet another boy who just walked in. Ava and I turn to watch him go before my eyes come back to her.
“Hello again.”
Her eyes meet mines and damn if it’s not a punch to the gut when those amber eyes lock onto mines.
“Hey,” she says. “So, uh, Christopher is your nephew?”
“Yep, he’s my sister’s oldest. He’ll talk your ear off but he’s a good kid. The best really.”
A soft laugh leaves her and twist my stomach in the process. Fuck I’m in so much trouble.
“Yeah, I know what you mean about the talking, but he’s one of the best helpers I have during story time.”
“Do you run this program by yourself?”
“Yes, I’ve been running it by myself for almost a year now.”
I nod my head mesmerized by her voice and her.
“Listen, about last night. I’m sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I got caught up in a little situation I had to take care of and it took more time than I expected an-“
She puts up a hand to cut me off. “It’s okay. Really. I know you have a business to run.”
“Yeah, but still-“
“Miss Ava, we’re ready!” one girl yells.
“Oh! Alright. I’ve gotta go,” she says turning back towards me.
“I’ll be waiting.”
I stand back to the side and watch her run the reading program. It’s mesmerizing. The way she interacts with the kids. The way she’s easily able to keep their attention and keep them engaged. Her patience with them. Soon I find myself imagining something I’ve never ever imagined before. Ava pregnant with our kids.
Fuck this girl had got me twisted all the way up. I’ve never had those thoughts about another woman. Nothing even close to it. As she’s helping one little boy pick out a book she glances over and meets my eyes and I feel that sensation again, that gut punch I’m coming to associate with her. This time when we talk, there will be no interruptions. I’ll make sure of it.
***
A half hour later the reading program is ending. Christopher is still chatting away with his friends when my sister walks in.
“Hey. Thank you so much for picking Chris up,” she says giving me a hug.
While my brothers and I all got our dad’s height, my sister took after my mom. At five foot five she barely reaches my shoulder. Her long blond hair is in a haphazard ponytail and she’s breathing hard like she’s out of breath.
“No problem, you know I have your back.”
Her eyes scan the room before settling in one place, a smile lights up her face. “Ava!” she yells. And much to my shock Ava looks up, gives my sister a big smile and they embrace each other in a big hug.
What are the fucking odds that my dream girl not only gets along with my nephew but my sister too?
They are talking away about something when I make my way over to them.
Sarah looks up at me with a smile on her face. “Ava, this is one of my brothers Liam, Liam this is Ava the librarian and runner of the reading program” Sarah says.
“We’ve met” I say.
Sarah’s eyes widen “Really, when?”
A blush heats Ava’s cheeks as she tucks a stray curl behind her ear.
“Um, yesterday at Temptation,” she says.
“Really? Interesting.” Sarah divides a glance between us. My sister knows me just as well as I know her. So, I already know I’m in for an interrogation the moment Ava leaves.
“Yeah, uh, I have to finish helping the kids. I’ll see you next week Sarah,” she pauses looking up at me again and fuck if I don’t feel a shift in my chest when her eyes lock onto mine. That blush graces her cheeks again.
“It was nice seeing you as well Liam” Ava says before turning and walking away. My eyes drift down over the cardigan. Although it’s big and covers her nearly to her knees I still remember what her ass looked like in that dress last night and it’s driving me to-
“Hello. Earth to Liam.” Sarah waves a hand in front of my face.
“What?” I say pulling my eyes off Ava. Sarah crosses her arms over her chest and regards me with a smirk on her face.
“Huh. If I’d known introducing you to Ava was all it took to put that look on your face I would have done it a long time ago.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Sarah raises an eyebrow at me. “Don’t play dumb. You like her” she says in a sing song voice.
I roll my eyes. “Okay, yes I like her, but she seems kind of skittish. Any idea why?”
Shrugging one shoulder, “She’s never told me too much about her past, but I’ve gathered there’s an asshole ex in there somewhere.”
My blood heats at the thought of somebody hurting her.
“That’s all you know?”
“Yep. Like I said she’s never really talked about it.”
I nod filing that information away for later.
Sarah lays a hand on my arm. “Are you serious about pursuing her or is this just a hook up to you?”
I look her in the eye. “I’ve never been more serious about something in my life.” I let her see the truth in my eyes. How much I’m really feeling this girl.
A smile lights up her face, crinkling the corners of her eyes. “Excellent. Don’t screw this up. I like her.”
With those parting words, Sarah gathers Christopher up and they are out the door.
There are just a few kids and parents left milling around chatting. I decide now is the time to approach
