Four

Liam

“Lemon water clears your throat.” Thomas handed his daughter the water. “Drink up.”

Her tense shoulders loosened and I could almost see the relief rolling off her.

“Thanks, Dad.” She took a sip, grimaced, then set it aside. “I think I'm fine now.”

“So, where were we?” Thomas dropped into the chair at the head of the table. "Let's try this again. Ava, Liam Cooper, my friend." He stressed the last word, and a small smile ticked her lip up. "And Liam, my daughter, my Peanut—"

“Dad.” She rolled her eyes. “—Ava Morellis.”

“Nice to meet you, Ava.” I looked across the table, noticing the freckles lightly scattered across her face.

Her cheeks blushed pink, and she ducked her head. "Nice to meet you, too, Liam."

“What a way to meet for the first time, huh?” Thomas laughed. “Choking on a piece of chicken.”

Ava laughed an airy sound. “Yep, first meeting.”

She was so damn nervous and jittery, unable to sit still. Thomas was clueless. Why was she so worried?

Her eyes flicked so fast between her dad and me that she should’ve been dizzy by now.

“Let's eat.”

Ava rushed to pick up the ladle and dish herself some soup. Her hands shook a bit, spilling some.

“Can I help?”

Her brown eyes pinned me with a murderous look. “I can take care of it myself.”

“Liam is a medical doctor,” Thomas supplied. “They have to have steady hands for their job. Or are those surgeons? Anyway, Liam is the best doctor I know. If you're still shaken about the choking, he can assist you.”

“You're very generous with the praise, Thomas.” I stood and took the ladle.

She let it go quickly so our skin didn't touch. Shame. “But I do have good hands, indeed.” I smiled.

Ava huffed and picked up her spoon, holding it like a weapon. Swallowing my chuckle, I topped up her soup and dished for myself and

Thomas.

As we settled to eat, Thomas spoke. “So, tell me, what have you been up to? How do you like Hannibal?”

“It's great so far. I went to Busters the other night.” A clang came from Ava's end.

“You okay, Peanut?” Thomas turned to her. “Fine, just fine,” she bit out.

When he faced me once more, she threw a dark warning look my way.

I reined in my smile. “It was a nice place. After a couple of drinks, I went home. Didn't have that much time to kick back and relax when I was in the city.”

My friend's features creased sympathetically. “Hannibal moves at a much slower pace. You'll like it here.”

“You're staying?” Ava gaped. “For the time being, yes.” She stared at me wide-eyed.

“Liam moved into an old house that belonged to his family. He plans to set up his practice there.” He poked his daughter's shoulder. “Wouldn't that be awesome? Another great medical doctor to help the folks of Hannibal.”

"Awesome," Ava said flatly and filled her mouth with a spoonful of soup. Thomas missed his daughter’s discomfort and went on about how great I was for Hannibal. Hannibal was great for me, too. Well, that was, until I

discovered Ava's identity.

Still, I wasn't upset. Unlike the fiery princess whose eyes kept spitting fire at me. Granted, I earned that with my teasing.

Her dad turned away to take another helping of the chicken casserole. Which was exquisite, no argument there. I held two fingers to my lips and made a closing zipper motion.

Those brown eyes sparkled and I bit back a chuckle. Enchanting girl.

I should probably be bothered that I slept with Thomas’s daughter. If my

math was correct, I had about eighteen years on her.

But I didn't know it at the time, and she was a grown woman. Knowing now, though, changed nothing.

The only thing her brown eyes managed to arouse in me was desire. So acute that if someone spilled hot soup on themselves, I couldn't stand up to help. I was rock-hard under the table.

I’d thought about her the past couple of days. Certain we’d never meet again. But seeing her here was a gift.

Perks of small-town life.

Shame she was my friend’s daughter. Or was it, really?

We could have a go between the sheets again. It’d be our little secret. Our eyes caught and hers narrowed like she could read my mind. “Liam, know what else is great for Hannibal?”

I shook my head as reality came into focus. Shit, I’d been staring openly at Ava. “No, Thomas, what's that?”

“Why, the Second Chance Restaurant. You should see the folks who come from out of town to eat there.”

“Interesting. Are the owners residents?”

“Yes, Cal and Allie, right?” He nodded at Ava and she returned a quick one. “Ava grew up with Allie. Well, around her. She was two grades behind the young woman. What a life.” He sighed. “The kids are the future, I'm telling you.”

Young woman.

That’s what Ava was. Too young for me.

I shouldn't be doing this—wanting to fuck my friend's daughter. My oldest and closest friend. I couldn't do that to him.

I lifted my gaze to her. Her brown hair had come loose from her ponytail, tumbling around her shoulders. A soft lock dropped between her cleavage and rested on her left breast.

My fingers tightened around my spoon. Compared to my forty-two years, she was young, but damn, did my body refuse to accept it.

Those tempting eyes met mine as she spooned chocolate mousse into her mouth. My cock jerked. I wanted those lips wrapped around my dick.

And there went my regret.

After dinner, Thomas shooed me out of the kitchen so he and Ava could clean up.

I spent the time perusing their photos, and was that a bee? Or a woman? I

shook my head and went to the next picture.

Ava was a teen here. Face flushed as she knelt by a tub with another girl around the same age. Their arms wrapped around a big wet dog.

“Charity dog wash for the orphanage,” Thomas said behind me. “That’s lovely.” I faced him. “You must be proud.”

“More than proud.” He sighed, massive shoulders deflating. “At only twenty-four, the things she’s done… I wish her mom could see her now. The woman she's become.”

“Dad.” Ava popped into the living room. “Do you have a casserole for me?”

“Sure thing, Peanut. I'll get it.”

I frowned. Didn't we just eat? Or did she want leftovers? Thomas left and returned with a large pan. “Here you go.”

A big smile curved her lips. The most genuine she’d displayed all night.

She collected the offering and peeked in before sliding the lid back in place. “Thanks, Dad. The Mullens family could really use it.”

“It's alright, Peanut.” Thomas ruffled her hair.

“Ugh, Dad!” Ava complained, but laughed good-naturedly. “Will you ever stop?”

“Only when these hands stop moving.” He started for a head rub again but she skipped out of the way, racing for the door.

Thomas's booming laughter followed, and warmth ignited in my chest. We were out the door, standing on the porch, when Thomas spoke again.

“Liam, it was wonderful having you over. We should do this often.” Ava stiffened beside me.

I smiled at my friend, regardless. “Thank you. Dinner was lovely.”

“Will you make sure Ava makes it home safely?” Thomas cast a pointed gaze around the dark yard and curb. “She didn't bring her car again, I see.”

“It was a lovely evening. I just wanted to walk,” she said. “And now it's a dark night.”

“Come on, we both know nothing dangerous happens in Hannibal. You're being dramatic.”

“Dramatic is how I'd react if I saw something had happened to you on the morning news.” Thomas turned to me. “Please, take her home. And pass by the Mullens house so she can—”

“Dad, hello! I'm right here and I can take care of myself. I'm a grown woman. And it's a lovely night to enjoy a walk. It'll take only twenty

minutes.”

“Twenty minutes is long enough for something to happen to you, Peanut.” He ruffled her hair. “Now, let Liam take you home.”

“Dad, I—”

“Ava…”

“Don't worry, Thomas. I won't let her out of my sight.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulder for good measure. “Come on, Ava.”

She threw a glare at me, but my attention was on Thomas’s huge smile. “Thanks, Liam. Goodnight.”

I sent a “goodnight” over my shoulder as I herded her to the car.

“Don’t let any of this go to your head,” she hissed, tearing herself from my side.

Smiling, I pulled open the car door. “It’s not, I promise.”

She huffed an annoyed sound before looking toward the porch, smiling sweetly. “Goodnight, Dad.”

He waved back.

Thomas only went back indoors when the car moved down the driveway.

In the car’s interior, Ava was a statue beside me. She clutched the casserole pan with white-knuckled fingers, her mouth pressed shut.

A kiss would soften them for sure.

I turned into the next street. Where had that thought come from? I shook my head to clear it.

It was amusing when I pushed her buttons at dinner. Now, though, dinner was behind us, and I was done teasing.

“Where’s the Mullens’ home?”

Her directions came out in a clipped tone.

I gritted my teeth and drove. Soon, we stopped outside a suburban house. The fog around Ava lifted. She hopped out of the car. “I’ll be right back.” A quick walk took her up to the front porch. Warm light illuminated her,

playing through her hair. Two sharp knocks and the door opened, revealing a couple.

Their smile was familiar. Returning their smile, Ava handed them the casserole. Their eyes lit up, and the woman hugged her.

After that, she returned to the car, and I set us in motion. “What was that about?”

“What?” Her voice came out softer than earlier. “The thing with the casserole?”

She folded her hands in her lap and looked out the window. “A few years ago, I started this…service when someone or a family is in need, I rally the folks in town to help.”

“There are a bunch of locals, including Dad,” she added with a chuckle, “who are committed to helping out and are on a rotation. When it's their turn, they cook something. Or if they don't want to cook, they do a grocery run for the family in need.”

My heart squeezed. “You started this a few years ago?”

Ava's gaze whipped to me, her hair bouncing with her nod. “Yes.”

I blinked, forcing myself to look back at the road. She’d been what?

Eighteen? Twenty? How did a twenty-year-old think that up?

The charity dog wash picture flashed in my head. She’d always been that way. Always been kind and giving.

People like that were hard to come by. When I lived in the city, I met all kinds of people. People who did acts of selfless service were only a handful.

“That’s amazing.” My voice came out tight. She shrugged. “I just do what I can.”

I came to a stop outside her building. “So.”

“So,” she returned slowly.

“Wanna invite me up for tea?” It was a joke. But…not really. I held my breath.

Ava’s eyes pierced mine. Her mouth opened and closed. Chest rising and falling.

“I…we shouldn't.”

“You really mean that?” I leaned forward, brushing aside the hair on her cheek.

Her body shivered under my touch. Her eyes fell shut. “Liam…”

I swallowed thickly. How could her sweet small voice be so damned sexy just saying my name? I ran a thumb over her lower lip.

“Ava?”

“We can't. It ends here.” Her eyes popped open. “My Dad can never find out.”

“He won't.” My eyes latched onto her lips.

She moved closer and grabbed onto me, dragging my shoulders toward the center console. Our lips locked, and a collective sigh left us.

Her mouth moved against mine, almost painful in its desperation. Her

hands twisted in my hair, pulling me deeper. I parted her lips and tasted her tongue.

“No.” She yanked herself away, panting. “No.”

Before I could speak, she hopped out of the truck and raced to the stairs that led up to her apartment. She disappeared. In the evening’s quiet, I heard the click of a door.

I turned back, looking at the road, and sighed.

She would steer clear of me after tonight. For good reason. I needed to stop thinking with my dick.

It pulsed behind my zipper. Even after she was gone, the memory of her kiss was a sweet temptation.

But it was over, which was for the best.

Thomas could never find out. And I couldn't fuck her again.

I looked at Ava's lit-up apartment one last time, then set the car in motion.