29. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
Duncan
My heart is pounding as she looks at me, confusion evident in every nuance of her expression. I’m probably overreacting, but I can’t stop the thoughts that have been rising since Ava’s response to Susie about Nathan.
Doubt that what was happening between us was too good to be true is resurfacing. She told me a long time ago that we couldn’t work, and here I go, falling for her all over again.
“No,” Ava says, her brows pulling together. The corner of her lip dips as she searches my face. “I came here today because I want to spend time with you.”
My heart bounces in my chest, pounding like a sledgehammer—fear and desire battle in my heart. My mind races as memories from a decade ago compete with the last few days.
Which one do I believe?
“Duncan?” Questions fill her gaze, and at the same time, her eyes soften. She tries to step closer, but how close she can get is limited by the Tupperware containers. I’m grateful for my makeshift shield and full hands because I’m not sure I could keep my hands from reaching out to her.
“Yes?” A soft breeze surrounds me with the scent of sandalwood, making my chest squeeze.
“Can you tell me what I said that has you shutting me out?” I swallow hard and bite the inside of my cheek, feeling foolish.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shift my gaze from her to the people all around, trying to keep my voice neutral.
“Sure you don’t.” Moving to my side, she slips her arm through mine, and I look down at her small hand resting on my bicep. The heat from her touch feels like a branding, and leaves my heart racing. I take a deep breath and force the corner of my lip up. “Let’s head to the office to drop these treats off. Shall we?”
“That smile of yours is going to need some work if we’re going to be convincing.” Gazing into her blue eyes, I see a bit of uncertainty behind the smile she’s confidently wearing. She nods slightly and then pulls me toward the main office.
“People don’t expect me to smile,” I grumble, glaring at the crowd. When I hear her laughter, I turn to her and glower.
“When you’re with me, they do.” Her eyes hold a mischievous glint, and I feel my lip tug. “And I have the pictures to prove it.”
Searching Ava’s gaze, the tension in my chest loosens, and I see her face relax as I watch her exhale slowly. The woman standing beside me is not the same one who rejected me.
I don’t know what will happen after things with Nathan die down, but for today, I’m going to enjoy the time I have with her at an event that I love participating in.
“There it is.” She nudges me with her body, making my gut clench and my heart squeeze. “Brooding fits you well and makes you seem mysterious to everyone else. But I like the version of you with teeth.”
I throw my head back and laugh, gaining the attention of everyone within a fifty-foot radius. The closer we get to the main office, the more I can feel the weight of people’s eyes watching us.
Worrying about Ava, I glance in her direction only to find her eyes on me. A warmth runs through me, and my heart beats faster.
As we walk into the main office, we’re greeted with barking.
“Duncan,” Jade, the head of Mile High Mutts Rescue, calls from behind the desk, with a wide smile lining her lips. When her eyes land on Ava, they widen for a moment before she schools her expression. Putting the containers on the counter, I pop the top, and Jade gasps. “These get better and better every time!”
“I had a little help from Scarlett and,” placing my hand around Ava’s back I gently guide her in front of me, so she’s facing Jade, her back to me. “Ava. Ava Norris, meet Jade Davis, the one who makes everything happen.”
A slight blush creeps up Jade’s face. “You know I’m just one cog in the machine that keeps all this together. It takes a village to keep things going.” She points to the containers as proof.
“I thought that you could try selling them this time. What if you asked people to donate a dollar so every pup could get one? That way, you can raise money for the rescue, too?”
“That’s a great fundraising idea!” Jade says, waving her hands animatedly and pointing to pictures of dogs on the walls. “I could print out all the dogs up for adoption and cross off one at a time when someone buys a treat.”
“I,” placing my hands on Ava’s arms and pulling her almost against my chest, “ We , plus Scarlett , made extra so that you could sell them to anyone else that might be interested.”
“When will you set up your own little shop, Duncan?” Jade asks pointedly. Holding a finger in front of my mouth, I can feel Ava smirking at me.
“It’s a secret, remember?” I whisper, looking to see if anyone heard. Relief floods me when I see there isn’t anyone else in the office at the moment.“Right now, I’m just a hockey player who enjoys helping Mile High Mutts Rescue by bringing dog treats.”
“Sorry, Duncan, I keep forgetting.” She chuckles before turning to Ava and asking hesitantly. “Would you mind taking a picture with one of our shelter dogs? It could really help them get more attention for adoption.”
“I’d love to!” A smile crosses Ava’s face before she points at me. “Would you want both of us in a picture?”
Jade’s face lights up like a Christmas tree. “That would be amazing! I have the sweetest pup that just got here, but she’s shy of strangers. I would love to get some exposure for her.”
Jade doesn’t have us take photos with ‘one dog’ but dozens, not to mention gathering all of the families at the event with dogs who were previous residents of the rescue. It will be great PR and will get lots of dogs new homes.
The crowd continues to disperse as the day comes to an end. Glancing at the Mile High Mutts banner, I catch Ava standing for a photo with Adam, Susie, and Ryder.
My lips lift as I watch Ava in action. Not only does she appreciate her fans, but she makes them feel special. It’s obvious from the joyous expressions that anyone who leaves her has on their face.
After the photo is taken, Susie says something to her, and she laughs. For the first time since she’s been in Maple Ridge, out in public, she looks relaxed and at ease. Her eyes are shining, her smile is bright, and she seems…content.
As if feeling my gaze on her, she turns toward me. A lopsided grin crawls across my face and a warmth spreads through my chest. A gleam lights her eyes as her smile widens, but behind the smile, I notice the tired look.
Making my way toward Ava, I see Scarlett and David heading in the same direction. Scarlett’s face is full of joy, but David looks exhausted. I get it. I love my niece, but there are days when her energy level exhausts even me.
“Ryder is so happy in his new home, Aunt Ava! And Susie and Adam said I could visit him anytime! Uncle…” I narrow my eyes at her, and she catches herself before ‘Dunky’ comes out. “Duncan. Would you take me over sometime?”
“What does your dad think?” Shifting my gaze to David, I press my lips together as he rolls his eyes.
“Since when does what I think matter?” He mumbles. “If I say no, she’ll just ask you.”
She looks over her shoulder at her dad and puts on her most innocent expression. “He said we’ll see, but then he also said I could ask you.”
Ava snorts, and David scoffs. Rubbing my niece’s head, I say, “Well then, we’ll see.”
The frown covering her face almost has me promising her whatever she wants, but I know that backing up my brother is important to him, at least sometimes. “Definitely not today. I’m sure that Ryder and his family, not to mention your dad, had a long day.”
“Tomorrow?” Her eyes light up, and a hopeful smile covers her face.
I shake my head. “I have a game tomorrow, and you’re coming, right?”
“YES!” She jumps up and claps her hands; running over to David she grabs his hand and whispers something.
They start walking to the car just as I hear David say, “We’ll see.” He looks over his shoulder, a wide grin on his face, and he waves at us.
“See you both tomorrow,” I yell. Scarlett is still talking animatedly and doesn’t respond. Closing the distance between me and Ava, I ask, “Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” she says, just as her stomach rumbles. “What were you thinking?”
“I thought we could stop at Rocco’s in Pleasant Hollow. They have some of the best Caprese salad and a killer Chicken Milanese.” Her eyes shift, and she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. “We don’t have to do Italian; we could do something else.”
“Would you mind if we didn’t go out?” Her voice is hesitant as she asks like she’s somehow asking for the biggest favor in the world. “I’ve had enough of being in a fishbowl for today.”
“We don’t have to. We could get takeout and go to my house to eat. Normally, I’d cook, but it’ll be faster if we order in.” It feels like I’m asking Ava out on an actual date and I swallow against the lump in my throat. “Is that okay?”
There is a lightness in her eyes as she beams at me. A drumming starts in my chest and moves through my body as I wait for her answer.
“You cook too? You really are a catch.” Her eyes dance, and she blows out a slow breath and extends her hand out to me. “That would be perfect.”
I stare at her open palm for a second debating whether or not to take it. Something inside me releases and the decision becomes easy. Reaching out I entwine our fingers together. When she wraps her other hand around my arm and leans against me, warmth spreads throughout my entire body. Before I can overanalyze what I’m doing, I lean in and kiss the top of her head. Letting my lips linger for a moment, I breathe in the scent that is wholly Ava and let out a sigh.
From an outside perspective, it’s a small gesture, but at that moment, I’m making a silent promise. When she squeezes my hand in response, I know that she felt it, too.