Page 17 of Savage Ends

Just as he looked around the room, the door opened and in walked Ava and her sister, Violet.The two each wore a pair of jeans.Where Violet wore a very skimpy top that seemed to push her tits up, Ava had on a slinky number that curved to her body as she walked.He couldn’t help but be distracted.

Pat knew the moment Ava spotted him.She seemed to pause for a second, and then take a step toward him.

He’d been to the coffee shop all week.They had talked for hours about Bernice.While she worked, Bernice stayed with her mom and sister.Throughout the day, she worked her ass off trying to train Bernice.Pat tried to keep his distance, but he couldn’t help checking her out.

She would walk Bernice for hours, but that was mainly because the dog didn’t seem to know what a walk was.Rarely did she get petted on the walk, unless Ava did so.

“Pat,” Ava said, and she quickly glanced toward Lidia.

“Hey, Ava,” Lidia said.

“Hi, Lidia.”

He didn’t want Ava getting the wrong impression.Not that it should matter who he was with at the bar.

“I’m not on a date.I’m here to help her find a lover,” Pat said.He stumbled over his words.

Lidia burst out laughing.“Wow, could he be any cooler?”

Ava chuckled.“Well, it is good to see you.”

“Where’s Bernice?”

“She’s with Mom.She insisted I come out with Violet, because she wanted to drink and dance, and well, I’m also the designated driver for the night.”Ava offered him a smile.“I’ll leave you to find her lover.It’s nice to see you again.”

He didn’t have a clue what else to say.Violet and Ava moved toward the end of the bar, where Elizabeth was serving.

“Okay, now you know you’re going to have to spill the details of what just happened,” Lidia said.

He had almost forgotten he had company.

“Nothing.”

“Oh, please, I feel like I need to mop up that little bit of drool you’ve got going on,” Lidia said.

He swatted at her hand as if she was about to clean away his chin.

She threw back her head and laughed.“You’re so funny.”

“Ava’s ...a waitress I know.”

“I know who Ava is.I know her sister Violet as well.”Lidia nudged his arm.“You know, I haven’t known you long, but from what I have seen and do know, you’re never interested in a woman.”

“Stop,” Pat said.

“Okay, you literally perked right up when you saw her.You spun around looking all bored and morose, and then the moment you saw her, it was likebam, you came to life.Now that means something.”

“It doesn’t mean anything.”

“Damn it, Pat.There is nothing wrong with you being interested in a woman.You know, you can have some fun and enjoy yourself, and it would not be a bad thing.”

He turned to look at her and she threw her hands up in the air.

“Fine.Fine.You know best, but you know what, we can just sit here and guess which of these guys are going to get her to dance.”Lidia looked across from him, and he was trying not to look.“There is a guy approaching their table, and ...don’t worry.False alarm.He has taken Violet to go and dance.Hold on, it’s coming.There is another guy approaching the table.”

Pat didn’t get to hear her running commentary as he made his way toward the table, stopping anyone from getting to Ava.

“Do you want to dance?”he asked.