Page 59 of Aussie
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Ava sat at her desk going over some files for a few kids who will be aging out of the system come spring time. Those cases were always difficult because, for most of the kids, as soon as they turned 18 and graduated high school, they were on theirown. Most of them didn’t keep in touch with their foster families. They were just sent out into the world all alone.
Her thoughts drifted to Christian, and when that time came for him. She vowed that no matter what happened with Christian’s situation, she would always be there for him. She was one person that he could always count on.
The sound of a knock on her office door made her look up. Sarah stood there leaning against the frame, her eyes wide with excitement.
“There’s a ridiculously handsome man in the lobby asking for you,” Sarah said with a grin.
Ava didn’t need to guess who it was. But she would have some fun with her friend. “Tall, broad shoulders, gorgeous hazel eyes, a killer smile, and wearing a uniform?”
Sarah’s grin widened, and she nodded. “Is that him? Is that Aussie?”
Ava laughed. “Yes. That would be Aussie.”
Sarah clutched her chest dramatically. “You lucky, bitch! He’s like something out of a military romance novel!”
“Sarah, stop,” Ava said, though she couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m serious! If I weren’t happily married—”
“Stop,” Ava said again, holding up a hand.
“You’re no fun,” Sarah mock pouted, and it made Ava laugh again.
Ava slipped on her coat, smoothed her hair, and grabbed her purse before heading toward the lobby. Sure enough, Aussie stood near the entrance, his presence commanding even in the mundane setting of her workplace.
He spotted her and smiled, that easy, heart-melting grin she loved. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” Ava said, trying not to blush under Sarah’s not-so-subtle gaze from behind the reception desk.
“You weren’t kidding,” Sarah whispered as Ava passed by.
“I’ll see you after lunch,” Ava called back, ignoring her friend’s teasing laughter.
In the parking lot, Aussie opened the passenger door of his truck for her, a small gesture that never failed to make her smile.
“You didn’t have to come all the way here,” Ava said as she climbed in.
“I needed an excuse to see you,” he said, shutting the door behind her before rounding the truck.
They drove in companionable silence for a few minutes, the radio playing softly in the background. When they pulled into the parking lot of a little diner just outside the base, Ava raised an eyebrow.
“This place any good?” she asked.
“You’ll love it,” he promised, cutting the engine.
The smell of freshly baked bread and something sweet greeted them as they stepped inside. Aussie led her to a booth near the window, and a waitress brought over menus.
As they sat down, Ava couldn’t help but notice the faint tension in Aussie’s shoulders.
“Alright, what’s going on?” she asked, folding her hands on the table.
He hesitated, his fingers tracing the edge of the menu. “I met with Derek and the FBI agent in charge of the investigation this morning.”
Ava’s stomach tightened. “What about it?”
“Derek and I gave him the information about the two boys who have been harassing Christian, and we told him about the threats towards you and Christian. The agent thinks it’s best if you and Christian lay low for a bit while they work the case.”
