Page 70 of Aussie
But as Ava watched him expectantly. He knew that the anticipation was killing her. So, he couldn’t resist teasing her.
He kept his facial expression neutral as he chewed it. “Well?” she asked as she leaned closer.
Aussie swallowed the cookie and then chased it down with a sip of hot chocolate.
“It’s alright, I guess,” he said, his tone deliberately nonchalant. He was fighting to keep a straight face.
Ava’s eyes narrowed, and she swatted at his arm. “Alright? Seriously? I slaved over those cookies.”
Before she could pull away, he caught her wrist and gently tugged her down onto his lap, laughing at her surprised yelp. He wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her close as he leaned in, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. “Okay, you win. It’s one of the best cookies I’ve ever had. Happy?”
Her mock glare melted into a smile, and Aussie grinned, popping the last bite of the cookie into his mouth. “But I might need another one, just to be sure.”
She rolled her eyes playfully, but the soft smile she gave him lingered, and Aussie felt the warmth in his chest grow.
As everyone settled in with cookies and hot chocolate, the room filled with chatter and laughter. For a moment, Aussie let himself believe that this was what life could always be like—safe, happy, and filled with the people who mattered most.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Aussie lay on his back in bed, staring at the ceiling as the clock ticked past one in the morning. Sleep was a distant hope as his mind was a relentless jumble of thoughts.
He couldn’t stop wondering about what was happening back home and whether the FBI had made any progress on tracking down Barrett or Chase. The uncertainty of that whole situation gnawed at him.
His thoughts then shifted to Ava and Christian, which was a welcome distraction. He smiled faintly, recalling how the three of them, along with his parents, had crowded around the living room, munching on Ava’s sugar cookies and sipping hot chocolate while sharing stories. They had ended the night watchingHow the Grinch Stole Christmas.For the first time in what felt like forever, he’d felt at peace.
But now, the silence of the night was deafening. He sighed as he tossed the covers back. If sleep wasn’t coming, he might as well get up. Padding softly down the hallway, he decided a cold glass of milk and a few of Ava’s cookies might help clear his restless mind.
He made his way downstairs, careful not to wake anyone. As he approached the kitchen, he noticed a strange soft glow coming from the back porch. Curious, he walked over to the sliding glass door and peered out.
He was shocked to see Ava sitting out there with her laptop open on the small table in front of her. The light from the screen illuminated her face.She seemed lost inthought as her eyes focused on the screen. He could see she had tension in her body, and his heart ached for her. He knew she was carrying somuch weight on her shoulders. Bracing himself for the cold, he slid open the door and stepped outside. But instead of the chill he expected, he was greeted by a blast of heat coming from the outdoor heater.
Ava looked up, and when she saw him, a soft smile spread across her face. “Hey,” she said quietly, her voice breaking the silence of the night.
“Hey,” Aussie replied, his own smile mirroring hers. She looked comfortable in her flannel pajamas, thick socks, and her hair pulled back into a high ponytail. She looked perfect, and a fleeting image of them snuggled up on the outdoor couch flashed through his mind.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked, gesturing toward the empty chair beside her.
“Not at all,” Ava said, her smile widening as she closed her laptop. “Couldn’t sleep?”
He grinned, shaking his head. “Nope. My mind won’t shut off. You?”
She shrugged, her eyes darting back to the laptop for a moment. “Same. I figured catching up on some work might tire me out, but…” She trailed off, her expression softening as she looked at him. “It’s not really working.”
Aussie could see the exhaustion in her eyes, but he could also tell that something was bothering her. After a moment of silence, he decided to ask. “Everything okay?” he asked gently, his tone filled with concern.
Ava sighed. “My boss, Clint, is still being an ass.”
Aussie leaned back in the chair. “What did he do now?”
“He is blowing up my email and phone with text messages, asking about things. I mean, Jesus, it’s not like I’m the only person who works there.”
Aussie reached over and took her hand in his. “I’m sorry. I can beat him up for you when we get back,” he teased.
Ava chuckled. “I wish it was that easy. I just don’t understand the man. One day, he acts like he hates his job and doesn’t want to be there. But then the next day, he’s up everyone’s asses micromanaging them.”
Aussie wasn’t sure what to say. “Well, don’t let him get you down. I’m not familiar with how the foster system works, but are there other agencies you could look into to work for?”
She shook her head. “No. Not unless I go out of the area.”
