Someone remembered Marjorie Knox used to babysit Ava, and someone else assumed they were likely catching up on the old friendship, and their presence together was duly assessed and ignored.
They ordered and ate biscuits while waiting for their ribs. Ava was trying not to think about later, but later was all Hunt could think about. He wanted her in his arms—standing body to body—kissing her until she begged for more.
And then their food came, and they got down to business.
“These are so good,” Ava said as she finished one rib and then took a drink. “Tell me what you’re working on at the house.”
“I finished the grout and caulking, and started scraping down walls to get ready to paint,” Hunt said.
“Is Emma’s room still blue?” she asked.
“It’s faded to more gray than blue, but yes, it’s the same,” he said.
“What about your room…in the attic?”
The smile slid off his face so fast Ava wished she hadn’t asked.
“It’s just the attic again,” he said.
She reached for his hand. “I’m sorry, Hunt. No more talking about the past. Did you see old friends today?”
“It’s okay, and yes, I did. I saw Rob Denton and met his wife. It was good to see him again.”
The awkward moment passed, and they finished their meal.
“Do you still want dessert?” Hunt asked.
Ava put a hand on her belly. “Lord, no, but thank you. As your mama would have said, my eye was bigger than my stomach.”
“You can get some to go,” he offered.
“You want pie, don’t you?” Ava said.
“Guilty,” Hunt said.
She sighed. “Well, good lord, Hunt. Don’t stand on ceremony with me. Order it. And you can get one to go for me. Coconut cream, if they have it.”
“If you insist,” Hunt said.
And this time, it was Ava who laughed.
Once again, the diners turned to look. Some were beginning to think their first assessment of the couple might have been hasty. When Hunt suddenly leaned over and wiped a faint smear of barbecue sauce from Ava’s chin, they decided the look he gave her was more wolf than puppy friendly, and knew they were right.
“Y’all save any room for dessert?” their waitress asked as she refilled their drinks.
Hunt nodded. “We need one piece of coconut cream pie to go, and a piece of chocolate for now.”
“You got it,” she said, and hustled off to fill their orders. When she brought back the chocolate, she brought two forks. “Just in case,” she said, and winked. “I’ll be right back with your to-go order. Enjoy.”
Hunt handed Ava a fork. “You get the first taste. After that, you’ll have to fight for a bite.”
“Well, maybe just one,” Ava said, and forked a little bite of the pie and popped it in her mouth. “Yum…Mercy Pittman is one fine baker. That’s so good.”
He took a bite and had to agree. “Yes, it’s good. But yours is just as good,” he added.
She grinned, pleased with the compliment even if it wasn’t exactly true.
When they finally started home, Ava was holding her piece of pie, trying to come to terms with the fact that she was sitting in a car with Hunt. This was, to date, the best day of her life. That it had to happen on the day he buried his mother was just enough to temper her emotions.
When they pulled up in her driveway, Ava knew their night was over. She turned in the seat to face him before they got out.
“Thank you for supper. I loved spending time with you.”
Hunt smiled. “You’re very welcome. I loved spending time with you, too.”
Ava sighed. “Lord…that’s a little too proper and polite for how I’m feeling. Walk me to the door before I make a fool of myself.”
“Well shoot, I was kinda looking forward to you and your foolishness,” Hunt said, then got out and circled the old truck to help her out.
The porch light he’d turned on before they left shone the way up the steps, and when she unlocked the door and stepped inside, he followed her far enough to make sure all was well.
Ava put down the pie and then put her arms around his neck.
“Thank you,” she said, and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “See you soon?”
He pulled her close. “No question about it,” he said, and finally did what he’d been thinking about all night. He kissed her senseless, and didn’t quit until she moaned. Reluctantly, he stopped.
“Sleep well, honey. Call me whenever you want. You know where I’ll be.”
Ava was still reeling from the kiss, and when he turned her loose, she felt off balance…like she was suddenly standing on one leg.
She watched as he drove away and then stepped back inside and locked the door. It was a little after 8:00 p.m. By the time she got her makeup off and her pajamas on, it would be time for her to get in bed. Five a.m. came early, but she needed the two hours before she had to be at work to get mentally ready for another day on the job.
Chapter 8
Gordon had taken Emma to Savannah for a movie, mostly to shift her focus from the funeral and all it entailed, and it worked. They drove home later that night, more at ease with each other than they had been in months. He knew there would be other times when the sadness of loss would return, but for one night, he’d made her smile.
Junior was at the Blue Ivy Bar getting shit-faced drunk because everyone was buying him a drink in sympathy for the loss of his mother. It wasn’t until he passed out at the bar that May Temple, the owner, called Ray.
Ray had to work tomorrow on a roofing job in Savannah. He and Susie were getting ready for bed when his phone rang. When he saw the caller ID, he groaned.
“What?” Susie asked.
“It’s May at the Blue Ivy. How much you wanna bet Junior is passed out drunk again?”
“Oh lord,” Susie muttered. “Let me get my shoes and I’ll drive you.”
“You’re the best,” Ray said.
“Junior needs a keeper,” Susie said.
Ray didn’t comment. Susie didn’t know anything about what was wrong with them and he hoped she never found out.
“I’ve got the car keys,” Susie said. “Let’s go.” And out the door they went, straight to the Blue Ivy Bar.
“There’s his car. Wait here,” Ray said. “I’ll get the keys and drag his ass out. When you see us come out, just get out and open the door for me, please. You don’t need to be exposed to all the crap in there.”