Page 10 of Holding You

Well, now or never. It’s an opportunity to ask her out.

Kai:

Any chance you’re free for a dinner date?

I am hoping for an immediate answer as I stare at my phone.No dots.Sighing, I shove it into my pocket and try to focus on what I need to accomplish. Picking the folder back up and thumbing through it, my phone vibrates again.

Ava:

I am free. When were you thinking?

Kai:

Tomorrow night? I don’t have an exact time for you…But let me text you tomorrow with some details. If last-minute works for you?

Ava:

Last minute is my middle name. Sounds good.

Friday starts like any other day at work. Busy. I’m finally getting home at 7 p.m. I walk through the kitchen door and drop my briefcase. Not sure why I took it home, I have zero interest in doing any work this weekend. My focus is on Ava and sweeping her off her feet with a dab of stay-longer-in-Saxville charm.

I’m hung up on Ava. She came in like a wrecking ball, leaving my carefully constructed world scattered, along with my thoughts. My fingers hover over the phone screen. I take a deep breath and type out the message.

Kai:

It’s late, and I’m sorry I haven’t texted until now. But I’m finally home, and I’d love to take you out to dinner, if it’s not too late.

Ava:

Lucky for you, I haven’t eaten yet.

Kai:

Phew…I thought you’d say no, or you’re in bed…I’ll pick you up in twenty.

Ava:

I’ll be ready…and who goes to bed before nine?

I chuckle because my usual bedtime is like midnight/one o’clock. Maybe she’s a night owl, too.

Looking at my reflection in the sliding door, there’s no way I’m showing up in a suit. I jog upstairs to throw on a polo and shorts. While I’m in the bathroom, I quickly throw on some cologne, shave, and fix my hair. One last peek, and I’m ready to pick her up.

When I pull into the driveway, my stomach knots up on me. I take a couple of deep breaths and knock on the door. Logan answers with a smirk. “Hey, man.”

“Hey, I’m here to pick up Ava for our date.”

SIX

Ava

My body perks up when I hear Kai’s voice coming from downstairs. Shaking my head at myself for being so eager to spend more time with him, my reflection in the mirror is ridiculously happy.

A light knock on my door, and my sister strolls in. “Kai’s here…so you agreed to a date?”

I’m sitting at my vanity finishing my makeup—nothing much: some eyeshadow, mascara, and some bronzer. “He asked and I didn’t have the heart to tell him no.” No part of me really wanted to say no. Not even a sliver of a piece.

She perches herself on the edge of my bed. “Are you thinking about staying here longer than a month, like you mentioned? I’d love to have you here permanently, especially with the baby coming.” She runs both hands all around her belly. It’s only a few short months away before she pops out baby number two. The thought of being an auntie to two cute kiddos might anchor me here longer.