Page 40 of Savage Ends

“Nah, I wouldn’t know the first thing to do with it.”

She laughed.“It’s all right.What can I do for you?”

He looked at her, and the truth was, his fucking words got caught in his mouth.He never had this trouble with a woman.But then, he hadn’t taken time to get to know other women.Ava was different.The women at the club, and throughout his life, they rode his cock, and he didn’t care if they were happy or sad.They were meant to get the job done, that was it.

Ava truly was different.He cared what she thought.

“So, there is something I want to ask you,” he said.

“Ask away.You don’t mind if I keep cutting fabric, do you?There have been a lot of orders and we want to get them ready to send out.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Do you like Halloween?”he asked.

“I love Halloween.Going out trick-or-treating, begging for candy.There is nothing better.”

She continued to cut and the way she just made herself sound was like she was a child.

She burst out laughing.“I’m kidding.I’m kidding.Trust me, I haven’t gone trick-or-treating in years.Like years ago.Possibly even longer than ten years.Since before my dad died.”

“The club is having a party,” Pat said.“I’d like you to come.”

She looked up and for several seconds she didn’t move.At one point he had to wonder if she was even breathing.“You would?”

“Yeah, I’d like you there.”

“Okay.”She stopped and he watched her lips press together.“As your ...date or as your friend?”

“My date, Ava.I want you there as my date.”

He watched her face bloom into a smile.“Okay, then consider me there.”She pressed her lips together.“Wait, what should I go as?”

“Surprise me.”

And with that, he turned on his heel and left the store.

He was aware of Hazel watching him, and Violet, but he didn’t stop to talk to them.This was not about them, it was about him and Ava.

****

“So, you’re gettinglittle visits by your boyfriend now?”Violet asked.

Ava had finished all of the day’s orders.She knew her mother was just sorting out the till.She needed to get ready to leave for her actual job, which started in thirty minutes.

“He’s not my boyfriend.He is just a friend.”

“You know Mom’s worried, right?”Violet asked.

She looked toward her mother who was writing something down.“It’s nothing.”

“Ava, come on.You never have a guy visit you at work.Is this thing with Pat getting serious?”

Ava saw that her sister was worried.She sighed and rubbed her forehead.“We talk.Okay.He stops by the coffee shop.I serve him cake and coffee.Sometimes he follows me home, and we talk.”Actually, that wasn’t accurate.They hadn’t talked.

She got him home, and Pat kissed her.It was a kiss that always seemed to go on for a long time, and it felt so good and she wasn’t about to complain about the kiss.She loved it.

“Talk?”