Page 37 of Aussie
But all joking aside, Aussie felt something stir within him. He had a craving for more than stolen kisses in kitchens and lingering glances.
Ava glanced over her shoulder, a soft, almost shy smile playing on her lips. “I should probably head home. Christian still needs to finish his homework.”
Aussie stifled a sigh. The thought of her leaving was like losing the warmth in the room. But he knew she was right. Christian had his studies, and Ava took that role in his life seriously. It was something he admired deeply about her.
“Yeah, don’t want to mess with school.” He took the last dish and put it away.
As they walked through the living room, they found Nails sprawled on the couch. He was sound asleep with baby Isadora asleep on his chest. Her tiny hand was clutching a fistful of his shirt. Ava stifled a giggle, immediately taking out her phone to snap a picture.
“Tell me that’s not the cutest thing you’ve seen all day,” she whispered, holding up her phone.
Aussie chuckled and nodded. “It is pretty damn cute.”
“I’m going to run upstairs and get Christian,” she said.
“I’ll go with you,” Aussie replied.
They climbed the stairs, and as they approached Max’s room, the murmur of voices caught Aussie’s ear. He was about to announce their presence when he heard Amira’s voice questioning Christian.
“So, is Ava, like, yourrealmom?” Amira asked, her voice curious but innocent.
Aussie glanced at Ava, whose expression was still, her lips pressed together, her eyes reflecting a hint of vulnerability. She looked nervous.
“No,” Christian answered after a brief pause. “But she’s the closest thing to a mom I’ve ever had. So, I kind of think of her as my mom.”
Ava inhaled sharply, her hand going to her mouth, her eyes glistening. Aussie placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing, silently letting her know he was there.
The other kids were quick to offer their own experiences, as though this were the most natural thing to talk about in theworld. Amira piped up first. “Bear and Jocelyn are our real mom and dad now. They adopted us after they saved us.”
“I’m adopted too,” Sienna said matter-of-factly. “My real mommy didn’t want me, so Uncle Irish and Aunt Bailey adopted me. Now they are my mommy and daddy.”
Ava glanced up at Aussie, her face full of gratitude, surprise, and maybe a little wonder. He gave her shoulder another gentle squeeze, pride swelling in his chest as he looked at her, feeling her emotional reaction without her having to say a word.
Finally, Aussie rapped lightly on the doorframe, breaking up the conversation. “Alright, time for you guys to wrap up. Ava and Christian are headed out.”
As they said their goodbyes, Aussie walked Ava and Christian to the car, taking their time as they stepped into the brisk December air. Christian climbed into the passenger seat and leaned out, wrinkling his nose playfully. “I don’t know if I’ll ever recover from that poop smell, Aussie. Like,ever.”
Aussie laughed, giving Christian a gentle swat on the shoulder. “Hey, you survive one, you’re ready for anything.”
Once Christian was settled in the car, Aussie turned back to Ava, his gaze soft. “Thanks again for coming over. You saved us.”
She brushed it off with a wave, though her smile softened. “I was happy to help. I know you’re more used to battlefields than babies.”
She hesitated, her expression shy, and then, almost like she was steeling herself, she glanced up at him. “Um, are you, by chance, free next Saturday night?”
Just as he was about to answer and tell her that his schedule was clear, the realization dawned on him that next Saturday was the night of the fundraiser gala. The one he’d agreed to attend undercover with the FBI agent.
His stomach twisted, and he felt a twinge of guilt. “I actually have a work thing that evening.”
He could see her disappointment flash across her face, but she forced a small smile, trying to play it off. “Oh, okay. Another time, maybe.”
Aussie wasn’t about to leave her feeling dejected, not if he could help it. He brushed a hand over her cheek, his voice soft. “If it weren’t work-related, I’d cancel it in a heartbeat to be with you. That’s a promise.”
He leaned down, capturing her lips in a tender kiss, pouring every bit of his apology and affection into it. Her arms looped around his neck, and she kissed him back, her soft sigh the only sound in the still night. He lingered, his hand gently caressing her cheek, savoring the warmth of her mouth against his, the way she pressed close, as though she didn’t want to let him go either. When they finally pulled apart, her eyes sparkled, and he could see she believed him.
“I understand,” she whispered, nodding. She gave him one last kiss on the cheek before climbing into the car.
Aussie stood back, watching as Ava’s car pulled away, a pang of regret settling in his chest. He hadn’t wanted to say no to her, not for anything, and watching her drive off left him feeling more than a little frustrated. But he vowed that he’d make it up to her.
