Mystery man’s eyes lit up as he gave me a slight nod, followed by the sexiest wink I’d ever seen. He lifted his hand to my chin and forced my eyes to his. If I hadn’t been acutely aware of every single action he made, I’d have missed his thumb move lightly over my bottom lip.
“The pleasure was most defiantly mine, Ava.”
The stupid goofy grin on my face was evident as he chuckled, dropped his hand, and began walking off as I stood there in a stupor.
My phone rang again as I hit answer and whispered, “Hello?”
“Ava, are you okay? What happened?”
I shook my head to clear my thoughts as I glanced over my shoulder at my mystery man walking away from me. Getting a grip on myself, I headed toward my car. I was so thankful I had suggested meeting Johnny at the bakery.
“Sorry, Mom. I accidentally ran into someone. Hey, I think I’m going to do what you said. I need a few days of fresh country air. Besides, I can work from anywhere.”
I could practically hear my mother jumping. “Oh good! When are you coming?”
“Today. I just need to go to my place and pack a bag.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Be careful driving, and we’ll see you in a few hours. Oh, I’ll make your favorite dinner!”
Reaching my car, I turned around again. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe I was hoping my mystery man would be standing there.
“Sounds great, Mom. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Ava. We’ll have you forgetting Johnny in no time.”
Slipping into the driver’s seat, I started my car and said, “Johnny who?”
RUSHING INTO MY condo, I felt my phone buzz. My mother had been coddling me ever since I went back home and spent two days with my parents in Llano.
I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh as I swiped across my phone and breathed out. “Hey, Mom. I’m fine. I’m still alive, and no I haven’t cried once. It’s been almost three weeks. I’m so beyond over it.”
“Ha ha. You can’t be mad at me for wanting to make sure my baby girl is doing okay.”
With a loud thud, the bags that were in my hand landed on the floor. “I’m more than fine, Mom. I’m going out tonight with friends and we’re going to have a good time.”
“Don’t drink and drive.”
“Mom, I live in a condo in downtown Austin. I walk everywhere.”
I could hear her frustrated sigh so I decided to play nice. “But, I promise I won’t drink too much.”
“Good. Remember, your father has that thing tomorrow about the ranch and he really wants you, Walker, and Liza to be there.”
“I’ll be there. I swear!”
“Have fun tonight, sweetheart, and be careful and remember … don’t drink too much.”
I couldn’t help but smile. I knew my parents loved me and just worried. It had to be hard letting their little girl move to Austin and start a new life.
“Mom, I hardly drink anyway. I’ll call you tomorrow before I leave to head home. Love you! Bye!”
“Bye, sweetie.”
I pushed out a fast breath of air as I glanced around my room. My eyes caught the teal cocktail dress hanging up on my closet door. “Hello, beautiful,” I said as I grabbed the dress from the satin hanger and headed to my bathroom. I’d had my eyes on this dress since it first came into Mon Amour, the boutique I worked at as a manager. I also worked for Maurice Parker, one of the top wedding dress designers in the country. I’d met him while in Paris and he hired me practically on the spot. Designing was my number one desire and what I wanted to do.
Slipping the dress on, I pulled my hair up and wrapped it around a few times, making a somewhat elegant, yet kind of sloppy, bun on the top of my head.
Maroon 5’s song “Animals” blared over my phone. I headed back into my room and picked my phone up.