Page 33 of Aussie

“Yeah. I was going to stop by to make an appearance,” Ava replied, sitting up straighter, “but I wasn’t planning on staying long. Why? Is there something you need?”

“Well, considering that you are attending with Jarod, I was hoping that you could give this,” he said, tapping the large manila envelope that he had set on her desk.

Ava frowned slightly.Who in the hell told him I was going with Jarod?“I’m not going with Jarod. In fact, Jarod and I no longer have a relationship outside of work.”

Clint’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Really? Huh. I was under the impression that you two were pretty close these days,” he stated. His tone was casual but curious.

“Well, we’re not,” Ava said firmly, crossing her arms. She hoped that he would take the hint and drop the subject.

“Alright,” Clint said with a shrug. “But could you still give this to Jarod?”

“Why can’t you?”

“Because I’m not going.”

“But just last week, you mentioned that you were.”

“I was planning to. However, something came up, and I can no longer attend.”

Ava stared at Clint. He raised his bushy eyebrows.

“So? Can you?” He pressed.

She knew there was no way she could say no, considering she had already told him that she was going.

“I guess,” Ava said, picking up the envelope and putting it in her bag so she wouldn’t forget it.

Clint smiled. “Thanks, doll. I owe you one.”

“I’ll collect later,” she muttered, trying not to roll her eyes.

When the door clicked shut behind him, Sarah groaned. “I swear, sometimes I have to wonder how that dumbass was hired for his position. He clearly has no idea how to run this place.”

Ava sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Or he just doesn’t care. Either way, we’re stuck with him.”

Suddenly, Sarah sat up straighter, and her expression turned mischievous as a sly smile slowly spread across her face.

“Well,” she started, “since you are going to the gala, why don’t you ask Aussie if he wants to go with you? You know, like a date. Make a full night of it.” Sarah said, practically bouncing in her seat as if she just thought of the most amazing idea.

Ava laughed softly, shaking her head. “You think so?”

“Absolutely. You said you wanted to go on a date with him, didn’t you? And you’ll be all dressed up. Oh! And just think, Jarod will be there, and he’ll get to see you with your Navy SEAL.”

Ava chuckled. But before she could respond, her phone buzzed on the desk. She picked it up and smiled when she saw Aussie’s name on the screen.

“Speak of the devil,” Ava said, holding up the phone for Sarah to see.

“See, it’s fate,” Sarah joked.

Ignoring her friend's laughter, she swiped the screen and answered.

“Hey, Aussie.”

“Hey, Ava,” he said. His warm, deep voice melted her insides. “I hate to bother you, but I could really use your help over at Bear and Jocelyn’s place. Well, actually, Nails and I. Think you could swing by?”

Ava glanced at the time. She needed to pick up Christian at school in about thirty minutes.

“Sure,” she said into the phone. “What’s going on?”