Page 15 of Aussie
The grandparents on both sides of this case—the Wilsons and the Johnsons—were at each other’s throats, each fighting tooth and nail for temporary custody of the twin girls who had been removed from their home. Their parents were drug addicts, completely unfit to care for the girls, and while Ava wanted to believe the grandparents had the twins’ best interests at heart, the courtroom drama felt more like a power struggle than genuine concern.
The judge had made it clear.No one’s leaving until we find a solution,she’d said.
Ava rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of the day settle in her bones. Her role in the case was nearly done, but that didn’t mean she was getting out of there anytime soon. As she stood up, hoping to stretch her legs, she spotted her friend Sarah and co-worker lingering near the vending machines outside the courtroom. With a nod from the judge that they had a brief break, Ava slipped out of the courtroom and joined her.
“Looks like we’re in for another hour, maybe two,” Ava muttered, her voice weary as she fumbled for change to buy a bottle of water from the machine. She punched in the code, the machine whirring to life as Sarah stepped beside her, eyeing her with curiosity.
Sarah, always a breath of fresh air in a suffocating system, offered a sympathetic smile. “You’ve been in there all day. How are you holding up?”
“I’m surviving.” Ava grabbed the water and took a long drink before looking back at her friend.
“How’s Christian adjusting?” Sarah asked, leaning against the vending machine. “I mean, it’s been what? A few weeks now?”
Ava paused, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. She hadn’t thought about it much, but the truth was, things with Christian were going really well, better than she had expected. She took another sip of water, her thoughts wandering to the fifteen-year-old boy now living in her home.
“It’s actually good,” Ava said slowly, a smile creeping onto her lips. “I don’t know what the other foster families had issues with. He’s been respectful; he mostly keeps to himself, but he’s opening up. Honestly, I’m enjoying having him around.”
Sarah chuckled, nudging her shoulder. “Sounds like you two were meant to be together. Maybe Christian just needed the right person.”
Ava grinned, but before she could respond, her phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced at the screen, her heart sinking a little as she read the text from Christian.
Christian:Don’t forget about the Sea Cadet meeting tonight. It starts at six.
Panic fluttered in her chest as she checked the time. There was no way she’d make it out of court, back home, and then drive Christian to the meeting on time.Damn it.Christian had been looking forward to this meeting for weeks, and the last thing she wanted to do was let him down.
Ava bit her lip, her mind racing through potential options. Sarah noticed the change in her expression immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“I—” Ava hesitated, her eyes flicking back to her phone. “It’s Christian. He’s got this Sea Cadet meeting tonight, and Icompletely forgot it. There’s no way I can get out of here in time to take him.”
Sarah frowned, thinking. “Can anyone else help? A friend, maybe?”
Ava’s first instinct was to say no, but then a name flashed through her mind.Aussie.The tall, dark, handsome, and entirely too sexy for her sanity Navy SEAL. He had told her, more than once, that if she or Christian ever needed anything, he’d be there. But would he actually want to do something as mundane as driving a teenager to a meeting?
Her fingers hovered over her phone screen, debating.
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “I’m guessing that you have someone in mind?”
“Maybe.” Ava fumbled with her phone. “There’s this guy. Aussie. He told me to reach out if I needed help.”
Sarah’s eyebrows shot up. “A guy? And you’re just now telling me about this?”
Ava rolled her eyes, her stomach fluttering as she scrolled to Aussie’s number.I can’t believe I’m doing this.She pressed the dial button, the phone ringing in her ear. Her heart pounded as the rings went on, and just when she thought he wasn’t going to answer, the line clicked over.
“Hey, Ava.” Aussie’s deep, smooth voice slid through the phone, sending tingles through her body.
God, get your mind out of the gutter, Ava.
“Hey, Aussie,” she replied, forcing herself to sound normal and not like she was internally swooning over his voice. “I, um… I hate to ask, but I need a favor.”
“What’s up.”
“I’m stuck in court, and Christian has that Sea Cadet meeting tonight. I was wondering if you could possibly…”
Aussie chuckled softly on the other end, the sound warm and teasing. “Let me guess, you need me to pick him up and take him?”
Ava felt her cheeks flush, embarrassed by how easily he’d read the situation. “Yes,” she mumbled, biting her lip. “I really hate to ask, but I’m desperate.”
“It’s not a problem,” Aussie said, his tone light. “I’ve got nothing going on. I’ll make sure he gets there.”
