Page 56 of Aussie
When she walked into the kitchen, she started on breakfast, the soothing ritual of cracking eggs and flipping bacon, which gave her something to focus on. Her thoughts strayed to Aussie, and when he finally walked in, her breath hitched.
He wasn’t dressed in the normal working uniform that she saw most Navy personnel wear. Instead, he wore a long-sleeved shirt slightly fitted, with a three-quarter zip that made him look both professional and effortlessly attractive.
Ava quickly turned back to the stove, feeling her cheeks warm.Stop it, Ava.
Thankfully, Christian walked in a moment later, yawning and dragging his feet. “What’s for breakfast?”
The trio ate together, the atmosphere light despite everything hanging over them. Aussie joked about Christian’s messy bedhead, which earned him an exaggerated eye roll. After cleaning up, they all headed to their vehicles.
“I can drop Christian off,” Aussie offered as they reached the cars. “The high school’s on my way to the base.”
Ava smiled gratefully and nodded. “Thanks.”
Before she could open her car door, Aussie stepped closer. He leaned down and kissed her softly. “Be safe, and have a good day.”
“I will.”
His expression turned serious for a moment. “And remember, call me if anything feels off. And if you can’t get a hold of me, start going down the list.”
During dinner the night before, Aussie had taken her phone and programmed his team’s phone numbers and Derek’s phone number in it.
She grinned. “I promise.”
Ava watched as Aussie and Christian drove off, a small part of her wishing she could hold onto that morning forever.
???
The drive to Christian’s school felt almost peaceful, the rising sun casting a golden hue across the quiet streets. Aussie couldn’t stop thinking about waking up next to Ava. She fit so perfectly in his arms, and for the first time in years, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.
“Here,” Aussie said as he handed Christian a small box from his center console.
“What’s this?” Christian asked, looking at the box in confusion.
“New phone,” Aussie replied. “Meant to give it to you last night, but things got a bit hectic.”
Christian opened it, his eyes lighting up. “Seriously? Thank you!”
“No worries,” Aussie said with a grin. “My number’s already in there, along with the rest of the team. If anything happens, anything at all, you call me. Got it?”
Christian nodded. “Got it.”
Satisfied, Aussie pulled into the school’s drop-off lane and clapped Christian on the shoulder. “Have a good day.”
Christian smiled faintly, clutching the phone. “Thanks, Aussie.”
Aussie watched as Christian walked up to a blonde-haired girl sitting on one of the benches outside of the school. She smiled at him before standing up and walking inside the school with him. Aussie assumed that it must be Katy, the girl Christian talks about.
His chest tightened a little. God, he hoped the FBI could handle the situation surrounding Ava and Christian quickly.
When Aussie arrived at the base, he headed straight for the team’s building. Derek was waiting just inside the entrance, arms crossed.
“Morning,” Derek said, his tone brisk. “Follow me.”
Aussie fell in step behind his commander, who led him to his office. Inside, a man in a suit was seated in one of the chairs.
“Aussie, this is FBI Agent Rod Jefferson,” Derek introduced. “He’s one of the lead agents on the gang case.”
Agent Jefferson stood and shook Aussie’s hand. “Good to meet you. Thanks for your help so far.”
