pte

i

roat." Thomas handed his da

ened and I could almost

e

a sip, grimaced, then se

e n

"Let's try this again. Ava, Liam Cooper, my friend." He stressed the last w

led her eyes.

ross the table, noticing the freckle

nd she ducked her head. "N

st time, huh?" Thomas laughed.

iry sound. "Yep,

y, unable to sit still. Thomas was

ween her dad and me that she

's e

and dish herself some soup. Her

I h

ith a murderous look. "I c

ands for their job. Or are those surgeons? Anyway, Liam is the best doct

h the praise, Thomas." I

didn't touch. Shame. "But I do h

it like a weapon. Swallowing my chuckle, I

om

. "So, tell me, what have you been

o Busters the other night."

as turned to her. "Fine,

more, she threw a da

couple of drinks, I went home. Didn't have that much

hetically. "Hannibal moves at a muc

. "For the time being, yes.

t up his practice there." He poked his daughter's shoulder. "Wouldn't tha

ly and filled her mouth

t how great I was for Hannibal. Hannibal was great for m

rincess whose eyes kept spitting fire at

n casserole. Which was exquisite, no argument there. I he

led and I bit back a c

t with Thomas's daughter. If my math was

, and she was a grown woman. Kno

ire. So acute that if someone spilled hot soup on themselves,

e of days. Certain we'd never meet a

small-t

riend's daughter.

It'd be our little secret. Our eyes caught

t else is great

focus. Shit, I'd been staring openl

t. You should see the folks who c

Are the owne

"Ava grew up with Allie. Well, around her. She was two grades behind the you

g wo

Ava was. Too

k my friend's daughter. My oldest and cl

m her ponytail, tumbling around her shoulders. A soft lock

ared to my forty-two years, she was young,

hocolate mousse into her mouth. My cock jerke

e went m

d me out of the kitchen so

ng their photos, and wa

and went to th

t by a tub with another girl around the same

Thomas said behind me. "That's lovel

ing. "At only twenty-four, the things she's done... I

he living room. "Do you

, Peanut. I

she want leftovers? Thomas left and re

ips. The most genuine sh

ore sliding the lid back in place. "Thanks,

eanut." Thomas r

d, but laughed good-natur

started for a head rub again but she ski

ter followed, and warm

when Thomas spoke again. "Liam, it was wonder

fened be

regardless. "Thank yo

homas cast a pointed gaze around the dark yard a

ust wanted to walk," she said

ow nothing dangerous

being d

to you on the morning news." Thomas turned to me. "Please

myself. I'm a grown woman. And it's a lovely nigh

ing to happen to you, Peanut." He ruffled

d,

va

of my sight." I wrapped an arm around her

attention was on Thomas's huge s

over my shoulder as I

o your head," she hissed, t

pen the car door. "

ore looking toward the porch, s

aved

indoors when the car m

de me. She clutched the casserole pan with w

d soften th

Where had that thought come fro

tons at dinner. Now, though, dinner

the Mulle

came out in a

rove. Soon, we stopped o

. She hopped out of the c

ght illuminated her, playing through her hair. Two s

smile, Ava handed them the casserole. Th

the car, and I set us in m

softer than earlier. "The

"A few years ago, I started this...service when someone o

mmitted to helping out and are on a rotation. When it's their turn, they cook somet

"You started this

me, her hair bouncin

elf to look back at th

ow did a twenty-yea

d in my head. She'd always been tha

d in the city, I met all kinds of people. People w

came out tight. She shrug

op outside her

e return

a?" It was a joke. But...n

er mouth opened and closed

e shou

leaned forward, brushing a

er my touch. Her eyes

small voice be so damned sexy just saying

va

Her eyes popped open. "M

eyes latched

ng my shoulders toward the center console. O

desperation. Her hands twisted in my hair, pulling

d herself away,

ed to the stairs that led up to her apartment. She disapp

looking at the

tonight. For good reason. I need

after she was gone, the memory of

er, which was

find out. And I cou

apartment one last time,