Page 72 of Pretty Relentless

Smiling, I say, “I’m glad you called. I was thinking about you.”

I leave out the part about why.

“Me too. I don’t have school Friday for a teacher in-service day, and I get to go to work with Mom.”

“That’ll be fun,” I reply as I continue to drive along.

“Yeah, but too bad you weren’t still working on Miss Rutledge’s house. I could go to work with you instead.”

Smiling to myself, I answer, “I wasn’t working inside her house except to install the new window. Everything else was outside. In the cold.”

“Ehhh, okay, maybe that wouldn’t have been as fun, but I still could have watched Tabitha.”

“Maybe another time,” I state, pulling onto my parents’ road.

“Okay, Mom and Mike are ready to go so I better get off here.”

“I’m glad you called. Have a great day at school tomorrow.”

“I will,” she assures me, and I know she will. She loves school. “Love you, Dad.”

“Love you too, Belle. Talk to you soon.”

“Bye.”

I hang up, still smiling, as I pull into my parents’ driveway. Talking to her always puts me in a good mood, even if it does cause me to miss her too. Her mom is pretty good about letting her use her phone, and for the most part, she gets to call when she wants. I love those surprise calls and look forward to them.

Shutting off my truck, I climb out and head for the front door. I love hanging out with Mom and Dad, but tonight, I’m looking forward to later. To calling Ava and chatting with her. Because at the end of this day, knowing I can talk to her until we’re ready to fall asleep is the icing on the cake. I started today off with her, and even though we’ll be in two different houses—two separate beds—I look forward to finding a way to end it with her too.

I’m totally gone for Ava Rutledge.

And that doesn’t seem to bother me one bit.

Chapter Twenty-One

Ava

“Ava, special delivery.”

I look up from my desk and smile at Rosa, the school office assistant, as she walks into my classroom with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. My heart rate spikes as I take in the gorgeous array of blooms. “Oh wow,” I comment as I stand up and take the vase from her hands.

“Who are they from?” she asks, leaning in and whispering.

Words fail me. I’m pretty certain I know who they’re from, but that doesn’t mean I want to blurt it out to Rosa and everyone else at the school. Thinking on the fly, I reply, “Probably my parents.” I pray I sounded casual and convincing.

“Well, my parents never send me flowers like this,” she replies as she hands them over. “I’ll be honest, we were hoping they were from a man.”

“Oh.” I let out an awkward chuckle and turn to place the vase on my desk, praying she can’t see the inevitable blush. “Sorry to burst your bubble.”

“Oh well, no harm in asking,” she replies, followed by the clicking of her heels on the floor. “Enjoy them, Ava.”

“I will. Thank you for bringing them to my classroom for me,” I say with a wave.

The moment she’s gone, I reach for the sealed envelope. I rip it open and scan the words he handwrote on the small card.

Ava,

I’ve spent all day thinking about you. Dinner was amazing. Let’s do it again. Very soon. Bring your overnight bag. Or don’t. You don’t need clothes anyway.

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