Page 56 of The Sharpest Edges

Love is a strong word. Something she never thought she’d feel for anyone. She briefly felt it for John at the beginning of their relationship, only now she wonders if that’s even what it was. She was so young then, had no real concept of what love could be, and what she felt for him in those first few months seems like puppy love in comparison to what she feels for Dean.

She does love him and she meant every syllable when she told him so. She won’t deny it to Lori and gives her friend a soft nod of confirmation, untrusting that her voice won’t be tinted with emotion.

“Oh, sweetie. I didn’t think it was anything like that,” Lori admits.

“Be happy for me? Please?”

“Of course I am. I’ve only ever wanted you to be happy. I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t tell me sooner. Let’s just forget about that guy from Home Depot unless you need some duct tape or paint from aisle seven.”

She lets herself laugh, pursing her lips. “No paint and I’m good on the duct tape, too.”

“Hey, why don’t we all get together? Have a barbecue? I’d love to meet Dean and I know Greg is dying to use the new grill. He’s practically salivating over the user manual it came with, just waiting for a reason to fire it up and burn the house down.”

It’s a good-natured offer and Ava knows that Lori and even Greg would be on their best behavior. They wouldn’t try to make Dean uncomfortable or give him the third degree, but nonetheless, he would be uncomfortable, she’s sure of it. Seeing a guard from the prison out in the real world and being forced to share a beer and a burger might not be his idea ofa good time. Still, she can’t hide him away forever. Lori and Greg are part of her life, the least she can do is present the offer.

“I don’t know if he’d be okay with that yet. His time in prison was difficult. He didn’t have much interaction with Greg, but seeing a guard in a social setting like that might be too much this soon. I’ll ask though, I want you to meet him.”

Lori hisses through her teeth. “I didn’t even think of that. I guess it would be a little awkward. When you two are ready, just let me know, and we’ll be here.”

“Okay,” she replies softly, the two of them watching each other for a few beats before Ava gets up the courage to ask a favor. “Please be careful what you tell Greg about this. I know that how it started is frowned upon, and if something like that were to get confirmed…”

“Oh honey, it’s past that point now. Not because Greg told anyone but because it’s already reached the warden.”

“Shit. Shit, shit, shit.” Ava’s stomach twists and rolls, a future where she’s living off ramen noodles because she can’t pay her bills looms in her mind’s eye. “I haven’t heard anything from him yet, maybe it’ll go nowhere?”

“Maybe. I hope so, but that’s part of the reason I wanted to talk, to warn you.” Lori reaches across the table, gripping her hand. “Listen, I know this may not be what you want to hear but it could be for the best if you end up leaving that place. You know better than anyone how dangerous it is.”

Of course, she knows in intimate detail how dangerous it can be. The slice across her chest is proof she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life. That doesn’t mean she has any idea where else to go, or that she’s paid her penance yet.

For the best, for the best, it could be for the fucking best.Lori isn’t wrong, but the anxiety of searching for a new job is instant regardless.

Ava gets a call from the warden that evening, requesting a meeting in the morning, and all at once she knows that her whole world is about to change in ways she’s entirely unprepared for.

She hopes that she is strong enough by now to embrace the outcome.

* * *

Dean is being evicted.

No, that’s not right. His landlord is getting foreclosed on is closer to the truth, which means that Dean has roughly sixty days to find another place to live before he’s out on his ass. It’s unfair. He’s never late on his rent, keeps the place clean and well cared for, and even replaced the front door when it started cracking with something ten times better and way more attractive and paid for it from his own pocket. But none of that matters because he doesn’t own the house and his landlord is shit at handling money.

Dean had a permanent scowl on his face all day. Having grown up in an unstable household, not having a place to live ranks pretty high on his list of catastrophic circumstances. Even now, with a good job and reliable income, there’s a part of him that remembers how easily those things can be taken away.

Case in point, his house being foreclosed on right out from under him.

The only good thing about this whole day is that he getsto see Ava. He’s pulling into her driveway right now and can’t fucking wait to kiss her breathless and hold her in his arms again. The night before, spent alone in his own bed, had been harder than he expected and he laid awake for hours before finally drifting off, dreaming of her in between familiar nightmares.

He hardly has time to rap his knuckles over the door before she flings it open, excitement blushing her skin as she ushers him inside. “Hey, you.”

“Hey.” He fidgets only a moment, shifting his weight on the balls of his feet before swooping in to press his lips to hers in greeting. It’s light and gentle and far too short, but her hand still finds his stubbled cheek and lingers there as he pulls away.

And then she’s in his arms, wrapping herself around his neck and pressing her face into the curve of his shoulder. He melts into the hug, tugging her close until she’s flush against him.

“Missed ya,” he says, instantly feeling like a needy idiot, but fuck if it isn’t the truth. He missed her like crazy.

“Missed you too.” She pulls back, her cheeks rosy and words honest. “Want some coffee before we tackle that thing? I got new pods, some sort of cinnamon flavor.”

He smiles at her eagerness over the coffee pods and accepts with a nod, more than willing to sit with her before getting to work on the car.

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