Page 59 of Unexpected Love

Friday nights are always busy at Murphy’s—definitely busier than she’s used to seeing on our Thursday evenings—but she doesn’t seem to care.

Ava finds an open spot at the bar and catches Walt’s attention, placing her order before he turns away to take another. I should stay where I am and let her do her own thing, but I can’t stay away from her.

Grabbing my beer, I force myself into the spot next to Ava before someone else can. And from the grunt behind me, someone was very close to taking this spot.

“Rebel,” I croon in her ear.

Ava turns, a small smile on her lips. She doesn’t seem surprised to see me or troubled that I’ve stepped up to her side. Taking a chance, I step even closer—her arm brushing my chest.

“Gage.” There’s a teasing lilt to her tone, and my smile grows. I can feel my dimples pop. “What are you doing here?”

“Is it bad if I say I wanted to see you? Even if I wasn’t sure I’d actually get to talk to you?”

While I haven’t seen Ava, we’ve talked over the last two days. For instance, I know she still came to Murphy’s last night. And while she had intended to spend the evening sitting at the bar talking to Walt, she ended up having a meal with my parents.

Have I talked to them more about Ava since Christmas Eve? Only to tell them she made it home safe and that I have indeed seen and spoken to her. I didn’t want to tell them more and break Ava’s trust in me. It’s easier to keep things simple while talking about Ava with them.

Were they the ones who told me they had dinner with her last night? No, they were not. That was Ava—when she also told me she would be at Murphy’s this evening with her family.

They want to help introduce her to the town now that she’s officially moving to Ashford Falls. Of course, Ava’s already well acquainted with this part of town—not that she shared that with her family.

I also know from our conversation last night that she’s starting at the bookstore a week earlier than originally planned—something Ava’s really happy about—and that we won’t be going on our hike this weekend.

The news about the hike is why I decided to hang out at Murphy’s, hoping to steal a couple minutes of her time.

“That’s some serious honesty there,” Ava jokes.

“Well, I like the knowledge that we haven’t lied to each other. I’m not going to be the one to break that streak—even on something as small as this.”

“Hmm,” she hums, turning to lean against the bar, bringing her chest to chest with me. “If I’m being honest?—”

“Which you definitely should be,” I interrupt, brushing my hand against her arm resting on the bar.

“I like that we don’t lie to each other as well—even on something as small as this.”

“So, you’re not mad that I’m stalking you?” I tease.

“So you’re admitting to stalking me?” she counters, her eyebrows raising.

If I didn’t see the spark in her eye or know her as well as I do, I might think she was really upset with me, but I do know her, and I know she’s enjoying the banter.

Before I can say anything else, there’s a commotion at the end of the bar, drawing everyone’s attention. I feel Ava’s hand fall to my arm, squeezing slightly.

“You okay?” I ask, turning back to her, concern etched across my face at the look on hers. I follow her line of sight to the table her brother sits at and see Quinn standing.

“That’s Quinn’s mother,” Ava whispers. I bring my focus back to Ava. “It’s such a complicated story for all of them,” she mumbles.

“I can understand complicated family dynamics,” I offer, glancing back at Quinn and Caleb before turning back to Ava. “But they’ve got a great support system around them, and you being here to help is going to make all the difference.”

“Yeah.” Her eyes come back to mine. “You’re right. They do have a great support system.” The corner of her mouth lifts in a small smile. “They remind me a little of your family.”

“Oh, you mean they like embarrassing each other and forcing their way into other people’s lives?” I roll my eyes, and Ava laughs.

“They love you.”

“They can love me and not force their way into my—” I cut myself off, not entirely sure how to finish that statement. “Well, into your life,” I finish lamely.

Ava’s hand, still resting on my arm, squeezes again. “It definitely seemed a little like an ambush.” She laughs.

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