Page 46 of Savage Ends

“Thank you, and so do you.That is amazing.”She pointed toward the tail.

“Thanks, I got your mom to order it for me at her shop.”

Ava looked at Lidia and then nodded.“Yeah, I remember packaging the order.”She then giggled.“You didn’t want to step foot into the shop?”

Lidia looked terrified.“No, I couldn’t.”

“Any reason why?”Ava asked, feeling a little concerned.

“Honey, if you love fabric as much as I do, you’ve got to be careful where you venture.Trust me, I have spent so much money on fabric over the years.I have a giant stash, and probably more than I can ever use.I was trying to be a good girl.Your mother has the most amazing window displays.”

Ava couldn’t help but laugh.“Tell me about it.It’s why when I’m there, I love to work.Especially preparing the fabric for deliveries.I can pretend I’m buying it for myself.”

Lidia laughed along with her.

“I had no idea you enjoyed sewing?”Ava asked.

“Yeah, it’s not something I talk about.Aria knows because she is my best friend, but she is not into sewing, so it’s not something we have in common.I did take her to one of those out-of-town festivals.She was completely bored.This was a long time ago, but I had a lot of fun.”

“Seriously?”Ava asked.“There is one coming up around Christmas.I’ve been wanting to buy tickets.My sister doesn’t want to go.Mom is not going either.You know, you and I should make it a date.”

“You’re serious?”

“Hell, yeah, us sewing buddies have to hang out together, right?It could be a lot of fun.What do you love to sew?”Ava asked.

“Just about everything.Even if it is difficult.Making clothes is a giant pain in the ass, but I love it.”

“Me too.”Ava laughed.

“Do I get to find out what we’re all talking about?”Pat asked, joining them.

“I’m afraid it will bore you,” Lidia said.

Ava chuckled.“Lidia loves sewing, and in fact, I was the one who packaged her order.”

“You didn’t go into the store to pick it up?”Pat asked.

“Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re thinking.I’m a lazy ass and all that, but ...I’m not a lazy ass.I don’t have any restraint.I know my limits, and trust me, all that gorgeous fabric under one roof.It is more than I can stand.”Lidia chuckled.“Anyway, you and I will meet up, talk about it, and it is a date.You better bring a shopping cart to carry everything.”

“You’re on.”

“Have fun, you two,” Lidia said.

Ava turned toward Pat.“We’re going to a sewing festival.It’s held around Christmas.You find all these little small businesses and crafters.I always wanted to go, but Mom and my sister don’t care to go.Lidia wants to, so it is a win-win.”

“Good,” Pat said.“I’ll take you both.”

This surprised her.

“You will?”

“Yeah, that way you don’t have to worry about the travel there.I’ll drive you two, you can load the car up with fabric, and it is a win for me.”He banded an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

“Why is it?”she asked, marveled at her ability to actually speak clearly and know what she was saying.

“Because I get to see what makes you happy, and that will make me happy.”

Ava didn’t know how he did it.He made her heart race.To distract herself, she took a long drink of her juice.It was cold and refreshing.