pte

v

bell at Dad's h

va!" Dad barreled out and

fed out of my lungs as

le pulled at my lips. His hug probably cracked my back in

ut?" He dropped me

styling my hair and simply opted for ponytails. Dad's many hugs and

ree hand through my hair. "

n eyes crinkled at the

aper bag that had somehow

xhaled. "Did you make this?" "I wish. I

"Classic Ava

home. Everything was warm-toned, cream and brown, with the occasional p

with the place?" I shrugged

the door. "Unless you count th

ntel, doing a Vanna

e photos and keepsakes

as shaped like a bee, but with the head of a woma

at it, eyes soft. "Isn't it glor

rth of cereal in return." "Dad," I chuckle

rocery store and coul

ed up and he pressed his lips together. "Well

still smiling. "G

've never felt so alive. I'm trying new

my arm and

ped my hand and turned c

and now I'm sore in places I didn't know I could be, I t

t a disbelievi

d his shoulder. "Tell m

d into action and I

tomorrow. It would be a challenge at work

anger was what I'd needed-and got. I'd had my once-in-a-li

nd pains. At least they came with the memor

va

" I bl

ing into space." A line had

the kitchen, smiling to hide my wi

led delicious. My stoma

cook lik

m could see me now, she would be so proud," h

his amazing meal

broccoli as a main, and for dessert-" he pulled out a glass contain

singing with rays beaming f

t makes this different from all the

t's a fresh new ingredient." "Jeez, Dad,

ized mousse back in the frid

was always a lot when Dad cooked, but tonight, it

aving a-" The

you. We're having a guest." He

d him, a smile on my fac

"You never told me." "Ava!" He went red

eally? What a

friend from out of town who's v

brows pulled down. He started spea

." I reached a finger into the casse

thing. Tonight h

back of my hand with a rub but s

aleck-y daughter but headed off. I

ered. I threw a glance at the archway that led

ed his

uld take

the table and snagged a piece of chicken. Score! T

date. He was just

ghter, Ava," Dad a

n one quick motion. "I w

caught. What the hell was stormy stranger doing in my

ned. Something was in my t

s ch

y throat, chest heavin

ghing, my eyes watering. My hacking fail

distance, Dad y

t my entire being ju

nd my middle, and a body

g bre

ribs dug into my side. The pain b

he third squeeze, the food dislodged. It

d it. "Ava." He collected

g breaths as I s

pinch something you can

did

eyed

I mumbled

ou were here." Dad

t my lip. He w

king is quite common. Helps t

d to remain anonymous. Now he was at my dad's house.

. "But I should learn to do that instead o

d. Liam. Oh my God. I could put a

ty and one-night stands? Dad woul

am. He's the frien

cringe, I inched my wa

pants with dress shoes. This time, there was no tie.

shot up to his face. He was a

like a storm ready to unleash its power. High cheekbones.

e out choked, my h

ter." Dad scrambled behind me

nd chugged, avoi

to my spot at the table. I dropped

need

d him a thankful smile. The moment his steps receded, I

my Dad's friend?" I hissed at

ved carelessly,

't be serious. "If he finds out what

to tell him," he

econd. "Did you know?" "That you were my

You don't need to spell it out."

uched me if he'd known. But his e

sed my thighs together and clenched my teeth at th

r find out. Ever." "Ava," Dad s

g. "Yes?" Did he hear us? "You'l

throat sudden