Page 36 of Pretty Relentless

Even though she’s blushing a dark fuchsia, I don’t miss the anticipation on her face. “All right. Where would you like to meet?”

“Here. I’ll pick you up,” I tell her, grabbing my stuff to leave.

“I don’t mind meeting you,” she offers.

“And I don’t mind picking you up. It’ll be easier to get where we’re going in my truck.”

“Oh boy. I’m not sure I like the sound of that,” she grumbles.

Pulling open the door, I step through the storm door and reiterate, “You’re safe with me, Ava. Always.”

“I know,” she whispers, the words barely audible. But I catch them, nonetheless.

“See you tomorrow afternoon,” I tell her. “Your new porch, window, and roof will be done before you know it.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course.” I lift my arm and wave, walking to my truck and resisting the urge to look back at her.

I set my stuff on the passenger seat before climbing inside. Only when I have my seat belt fastened and the truck started do I finally glance back at the house. She’s standing at the door, watching, and something in my chest cracks. It’s a tidal wave mixture of excitement, longing, and desire, all swirling together with enough force to level a skyscraper.

That’s what she does to me.

Makes me feel wild and a little reckless.

This is more than just a crush.

I just hope I don’t end up devastated in the end.

I pull out of her driveway and head for the shop. Since I don’t have Annabelle, I can spend a little extra time getting caught up. There are a few quotes I need to finish and send off, and the business side of things, such as taxes and end of yearcrap is always waiting. Might not hurt to dive in and get ahead of some of the office bullshit. At least if I’m there, working, I won’t be home and thinking about Ava.

Now I can just think about her at my office.

I pull into the alley and park in one of the available spaces. I don’t have a storefront for my business. Instead, I rent the small warehouse and connected office space on the back of an old industrial company in town. That business has long-ago closed. The whole front is used by two different shops, while I rent the back for a fair price, since neither business needed it.

At first, I didn’t want the added expense of renting a spot, but after only a short time of storing work-related tools and materials at my own house and cluttering up my garage to the point I couldn’t use it, it became apparent it was worth my while. Now, I don’t have to worry about it. Everything is here, in one central location, and it’s secured.

However, as soon as I let in, I realize I don’t want to stay. My thoughts return to the beauty I just saw in her oversized sweatshirt and leggings. I want to drive back over there, to hang out. I want to get to know her better.

But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want more too.

I know it won’t be easy. She’s got rules, and that’s why I’m hoping this Friday is the start of me slowly breaking down those walls.

I only have to wait four days to find out.

Chapter Eleven

Ava

“You all have my email address in your Chromebook and on the paper in your take-home folder, so if you send me a picture of the aurora borealis this weekend, you get extra credit points,” I remind the class as the bell gets ready to ring on Friday afternoon.

Several of the students already have cell phones, and the rest agreed they can use a parents’ device to email in a picture or two after tonight’s big event. I’m going to print them all off and hang them on the bulletin board at the back of the class. I’m sure they’ll get a kick out of seeing their photos displayed proudly.

We’ve spent the last two days learning all about the aurora borealis, or northern lights. I found a video online from National Geographic, as well as other educational and informational materials. We also completed an art project, thanks to a tutorial I found on YouTube. It was a great few days, and I truly think each student learned something new and is eager to witness the event firsthand.

I’m excited too for a variety of reasons. Yes, to see the lights, but also because of the company I’ll keep. I’ve only talked to Gavin a few times since he asked me to join him on Monday, and each interaction was related to the job he’s completing for me. My window arrived yesterday and is being installed today, and the front of my house has already been transformed, thanks to the beautiful new roof he’s framed and covered. The metal was in stock and has shipped, and as long as there aren’t any transit delays, it’s expected to be delivered to Logan’s hardware store tomorrow.

Despite the expense, I’m eager to see what the finished project will look like.

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