CHAPTER 20 #2
Justin took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s start over here. I get that you don’t know me very well, but I can promise I want nothing from you. But if we’re going to find Stormy, we have to work together. We’re running out of time.”
“Agreed.”
“And I don’t know Skydovia. I need your help,” Justin continued.
“And you’re not going to be much help to me if you’re frozen like a popsicle.
So, can we please go inside for a few minutes for you to warm up?
Then I promise you I’ll do everything I can to help you find your mom’s dog.
Okay?” Justin held out his hand again to her.
“Fine,” Ava finally said. She walked past his outstretched hand, opened the door herself, and went inside the bar.
As she entered the bar, she knew he’d been right.
She needed to warm up. So why did I make such a fuss?
she asked herself. It wasn’t like he’d been asking her to jump off a cliff.
While she’d like to blame her paranoid behavior and hazy mind on the cold, she knew what the real problem was, and it was even more dangerous than getting frostbite.
It was the damn kiss!
She blushed just thinking about it. Since she’d grown up knowing she was promised to Henry, he was the only person she’d ever kissed.
They’d always had a more intellectual connection than a physical connection, and while she always thought their kisses were nice , they were nothing like the kiss she’d just had with Justin.
That kiss was on a whole different level.
There was nothing nice about their kiss. It was full of passion, want, and need. Or at least, those were all the things she had felt…
Stop it! she scolded herself. That kiss was a mistake . You heard him say it’s not going to happen again . Ever. So get a grip. Forget about it!
But she knew one thing for certain. She would never forget her kiss with Justin.
And that was a problem. A big problem…
? ? ?
As Ava sat at a table with Justin, warming her hands by the fire, she felt self-conscious still wearing her sunglasses inside. But the wine bar was crowded, and she didn’t dare take them off, because she knew someone could recognize her.
It wasn’t just the official paparazzi she was afraid of.
She also had to avoid what she called the “unofficial paparazzi,” consisting of regular people who all had cameras on their phones.
She knew anyone who saw her would be eager to snap a picture, because it was a well-known fact you could practically sell any photo of her to the press and make a fortune.
Justin frowned when she continued to fiddle with her glasses. “What’s wrong? Are they broken?”
“No,” Ava quickly reassured him. “It just feels strange wearing them inside.”
“You’re fine. You just look…cool,” Justin said with a bright smile.
“I’ve never been called cool before, unless Ice Princess counts.”
“Let me guess, because you’re a great ice skater?” Justin asked, with a cheeky grin.
Ava couldn’t help but laugh. “No, but thank you for saying that. I wish that was why they call me that.”
When he took her hands and rubbed them between his, her heart skipped a beat.
Their eyes met.
“You’re finally warming up,” he said, smiling. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, thank you,” she said as she smiled back. She was finally relaxing until she heard—
“Ava?!”
Ava jerked her hand away from Justin as she looked up and saw Henry marching toward them. “Oh God…”
Henry, fuming, stopped in front of Justin, glaring at him. “Who is this?” he demanded. He looked around. “Ava, where is your security?”
“Henry, it’s okay,” Ava said, standing up to face him.
Justin stood up, too. “Ah, this must be your duke.” Justin smiled and held out his hand to Henry. “Hi, I’m Justin.”
Henry ignored Justin as he locked eyes with Ava. “Ava, what are you doing here?!”
She cringed. Henry was glaring at her like she’d just kicked a kitten.
Justin held up his hand to try and stop Henry’s tirade. “You might want to keep it down. She’s trying not to draw any attention to herself.”
This triggered Henry even more. “Who the hell are you?!”
Ava stepped between them. “Justin, please, can you give us a minute?”
Justin gave Henry a look and then glanced back at Ava. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, she’s sure,” Henry finished for her.
Ava pleaded with Justin with her eyes.
Justin nodded. “Okay, you know how to reach me if you need me.”
“What the—” Henry stepped forward.
Ava stopped him by putting her hands on his chest. “Henry, please…”
Justin held up both hands like he was surrendering. “I’m going. Just…calm down.”
“Thank you.” Ava mouthed the words to Justin behind Henry’s back. The last thing she needed was for Henry to cause a scene. She knew he was just trying to be protective of her. She needed a minute alone with him to explain because she knew Henry was nothing if not reasonable.
As she sat down, she watched Justin leave the bar.
Henry waited until Justin was gone and then sat down next to her. “Okay, do you mind telling me now, what is going on?”
Ava leaned closer to him and whispered. “Please, keep your voice down.”
Henry’s eyes flashed with frustration. “Who was that man? Why are you here, and why are you dressed like that?”
“How did you recognize me?”
Henry pointed at her black leather purse that was sitting on the table.
“I had that purse custom-made for your birthday. You’re wearing your mother’s coat, the one she wears when she goes on her walks in the garden—and I don’t know where you got that hideous hat and scarf. Does your mother know you’re here?”
“Oh, God, no!” Ava exclaimed.
Henry’s eyes narrowed.
Ava rushed on, “Because I’m here getting her…Christmas present.” She turned to face the fire, knowing Henry could read her like a book.
“You’re getting her present, here, in the village?” Henry asked, sounding skeptical. “No. I’m not buying that. You never come to the village. Ava, what’s really going on?”
When Ava turned to face him, she saw people were starting to recognize Henry. “Please don’t call me Ava,” she whispered.
His eyes widened. “What?”
When Ava saw several people whispering, pointing, and getting out their phones, she jumped up from her chair so fast, she almost knocked it over. She knew once they recognized Henry, it wouldn’t take long for them to put two and two together and figure out who she was. “I have to go.”
“What?” Henry asked, incredulously.
“I’m sorry, but I’ll explain everything later.”
She rushed out of the bar without looking back.
As soon as she got outside, she tried to call Justin.
He didn’t pick up.
Afraid Henry was going to follow her, she hurried off, texting Justin.
Where are you?