Page 7

I spot an open table in the back and claim it, facing the door. The menu is scrawled on a chalkboard behind the counter—house-made biscuits, crispy bacon, eggs over easy, thick slices of sourdough slathered with jam. Exactly the kind of food that could chase away the remnants of last night.

If only everything else were that easy to fix.

I barely get my coffee order in before the bell over the door chimes.

And there she is.

Ava scans the café, her gaze locking onto mine almost instantly. There's no hesitation in her stride as she makes her way over, shrugging off her leather jacket to reveal a fitted sweater, the soft fabric clinging to curves I shouldn't be noticing. Her auburn hair is loose, falling over one shoulder in a way that makes my fingers twitch.

I sit back, schooling my expression, but I already know it's a lost cause. Because she walks in like a problem I want to have.

She drops into the seat across from me, crossing her legs, her knee brushing mine under the table. "You came."

"You said we needed to talk." I keep my voice even, unreadable.

She arches a brow. "And here I thought you'd ignore me."

That earns her a low chuckle. "I thought about it."

Her lips curve slightly, but it's guarded. "Fair enough." She leans back, folding her arms over her chest. "So. Last night."

I swirl my coffee lazily, watching her. "What about it?"

She levels me with a look, unimpressed. "You kissed me."

"You kissed me back."

Ava exhales through her nose. "Right. Well. We both agree that it was a mistake."

There's a beat of silence.

I tip my head slightly. "Do we?"

Her brows knit. "You literally said it was."

Fair point. I lower my gaze and focus on my coffee. "Just making sure you agree."

She scoffs. "Please. You think I wanted to make out with my overbearing brothers' best friend in the middle of a vineyard?"

My lips twitch. "That's exactly what I think."

Ava makes a strangled noise and looks away, grabbing a menu, probably to keep herself from throwing it at me. "God, you are infuriating."

I grin, pleased. "So I've been told."

The tension between us is tight, strung so thinly I can feel it thrumming beneath my skin. But Ava takes a slow breath, resets, and when she looks back at me, her expression is composed. "Look, Liam. We both had too much to drink, and we got caught up in the moment. That's all."

That's all.

I hold her gaze for a beat longer than necessary. Then I nod once. "Agreed."

She relaxes slightly, like she expected me to argue. Like she wanted me to.

Instead, I flag down a waitress. "We need food."

Ava perks up slightly. "Hangover food?"

I nod. "Cures most things."