We Never Kissed

Chapter 6

Alex

I woke with a start, my heart beating double-time, the pitch-black room making me wonder what the hell time it was. The clock was turned the other way. I remember the annoying light keeping me up, so I’d knocked it away.

I sat up, wiping beads of sweat from my forehead. Was it the dream again ? I couldn’t be certain. All the signs were there, but I couldn’t remember what I’d been dreaming about. I fell back against my pillow, taking it as a good sign. And yet, as I lay there, I began to replay the memory responsible for my nightmares. Sitting in the back seat, my mom driving, hearing her crying. She’d picked me up from kindergarten and said we had to go far away. The fear I’d felt when she told me that was dwarfed by the chaos that ensued only moments later, leaving me scarred both mentally and physically.

“Dammit!” I blew out a breath, angry with myself for thinking I could change what had happened, just by trying to change the memory. It was never going to happen. I hadn’t spoken to my mom in a long time. So long, I wasn’t sure I’d recognize her voice. In some ways she was a stranger to me. Last I’d heard she was dealing cards and trying to stay clean.

I reached over and turned on the lamp, then searched for my phone. I found it under the covers, which meant I fell asleep texting with Ava. It wouldn’t be the first time. I didn’t have a death wish, and despite the fact that she’d basically called me out, I still wanted to make sure she was all right. I also tried to give her an out for today, said I’d take care of Dax myself. Another thing that wouldn’t be a first. She’d replied with a laughing emoji. It probably only pissed her off more, but I reminded her that I had actually spent more time watching Dax than she had.

The hotel we were in was more elegant than family-friendly, but after I grabbed a quick shower, we found a quaint café, and the three of us sat down for brunch, despite the fact that Dax had already eaten breakfast. Like me, the four-year-old was grumpy when he was hungry, so too much food wasn’t a concern on this day. And with his parents off to spend some quality time together, there weren’t many options for entertainment.

“What would you like to eat, sweetie?” Ava asked Dax.

He didn’t answer. Dax had an assortment of Hot Wheels in front of his booster seat that kept him busier than I’d expected or preferred. Dax behaving meant Ava and I had to talk. I would have much preferred staring at her and enjoying her toned dancer arms and lightly tanned skin. The floral sundress she wore was both sweet and sexy, and it was killing me.

“It’s fine. I’ll order for him,” I said.

Ava furrowed her brow. “Why you?”

I leaned back in my chair, lifting a brow in challenge. “Go right ahead.”

That was clue enough I had no faith in her to accomplish the task successfully. But she picked up the menu and perused it, as if she knew exactly what she was looking for.

Holding back a grin, I said, “Need a hint?”

She tilted her head in Dax’s direction. “Cheerios?”

Dax rolled a car up Ava’s bicep.

“Eggs?” Her eyes darted from Dax to me.

“Psh!” I shook my head.

The server, whose nametag read Angela, stopped in front of the table just as Ava said, “You’re just trying to screw with my head!”

“I’ll give you another minute, then.” Angela backed away.

“I’m guessing she won’t be back for a while. I’m starved too.” I shook my head again, tsking, laying it on thick.

“Aw, does the grumpy baby want some Cheerios while they’re cooking his food?” Then she picked up one of Dax’s cars and pushed it in front of me. “Here, play with this to keep you busy.”

Dax gave me a big grin. “Uncle Alex, play cars with me!”

Ava’s eyes widened at how loud Dax said that, but I was used to it. For some reason, in the last few weeks, he’d been exploring his tone and often shouted his words instead of speaking them. Ava’s gaze went over my shoulder, and then she winced. “Shh, honey, we’re in a restaurant.”

“It’s a café,” I corrected. “And he’s just a kid.”

Tilting her head, Ava said, “That man behind you gave us a dirty look.”

“So.”

“So, I don’t want Dax to see his Uncle Alex manhandle a disgruntled diner. Plus, we should let him do whatever he wants? ”

I shrugged. “First of all, that was a long time ago. Second, not whatever he wants… But you of all people should be more patient and understanding of this behavior.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I leaned forward, taking my time to answer as I enjoyed the irritated look on her face. “Well…you’re a creative, a dancer.”

“ Was a dancer—”

“You’ll always be a dancer, Ava,” I said pointedly, pushing away images of Ava on stage, elegant and beautiful at times, downright sexy other times. “And Dax is expressing himself.”

She laughed. “And how do you know that?”

“I just do. Squash him now, and you might just be dashing the talent of the next Pavarotti.”

She scoffed. “That’s a stretch.”

“Look, are we ever going to order? Dax likes toast with butter and jelly and a couple slices of bacon on top of it.”

“Ew, really?”

“Yeah! Bacon sandwich!” Dax threw both hands in the air, and in the process, the car flew from his hand. I followed its trajectory and watched as it landed on the next table over, right on top of Mr. Dirty Look’s eggs. He pushed his chair out, stood, and turned to us .

“Well, this’ll be fun,” I said to Ava before standing to face the guy.

“Alex, no,” I heard Ava say behind me.

Not that Sammy and I went around looking for bar brawls, but we’d been in our fair share of scuffles. That, however, was not what triggered Ava’s concern. She was remembering about five years back, when I was in Vegas for a bachelor party. Sammy hadn’t wanted to leave Cass, because she was pregnant with Dax, but I still made a point to check in on Ava. I’d misjudged the situation. I could see that now. But when I had seen hands on her, and she didn’t look happy about it, I saw red. Without hesitation, I’d flattened the guy. Ava had been embarrassed, sure, pissed too, but more than that the fear on her face was like a knife to my chest. I never wanted to see that look on her face again.

So, I would keep my cool.

“Alex…” Ava rasped out again.

“It’s fine,” I threw over my shoulder. Then I faced the guy, made eye contact, and said, “Sorry, man. Let me ask the server to bring you another one.”

The guy in front of me was about my height but a little smaller in build, short blond hair and pale skin. “Damn right you will. Looks like you need to control your kid and your woman.”

What the hell ?

The woman he was with picked up the car and gently set it onto our table before sitting back down without saying a word. I gave her a nod and heard Ava tell her, “Thank you.”

“Look, man, he’s just a kid, and it was an accident,” I said, not hearing much sincerity in my voice. “Are your damn eggs so important to you that you need to get in my face?”

“It’s not just the car. He’s been loud as shit since you got here. Keep it down, and we won’t have a problem.”

I had a choice to make in that moment. Sure I could apologize, again, promise to keep Dax quiet, which I knew wouldn’t happen. Or we could find another table, or even just leave the café altogether. But this guy was pissing me off. I’d done the right thing, and he wasn’t having it.

So, instead I leaned in so only he could hear me. “Look, I tried to make it right, but I think you just want to be a dick. Now if I wipe the floor with your face, my woman is going to be pissed. But I’m willing to risk it, if you don’t get out of my face right fucking now.” I only pulled back enough so he could see in my eyes I meant it.

He maintained eye contact for about ten more seconds before he pulled back. “Whatever…” He turned away, saying, “I don’t have time to wait for more food. Let’s go, Dee.”

“We’ll get your bill,” Ava said before I could .

The couple left without further incident, and Ava and I exchanged sly grins. Dax was none the wiser, which was good because I didn’t want him tattling to Mommy and Daddy. When the server returned. I took care of the couple’s check, then the three of us ordered the Dax special plus two hot chocolates: one for Dax and one for Ava—her favorite. I knew all Ava’s favorites. Despite spending years in different states, I felt like I knew almost every damn thing about her.

Which was why I found it strange that I’d heard very little about this Gunnar guy. I didn’t have time to pump Sammy for info, and the only reference I could pull from my memory banks was something Ava’s dad said a few years back after a visit to Vegas. He talked about someone with an unusual name—could have been Gunnar. I wasn’t about to ask Ava. Not yet anyway. I was too busy watching her sip hot chocolate and grin like a school girl.

After the café, we walked to the beach, since the hotel was just a block away. We both wanted to give Sammy and Cass as much time alone as possible, given that they rarely took time away from the bakery. Truth be told, I never wanted the day to end for selfish reasons.

The three of us strolled along the boardwalk, Dax between us, holding each of our hands. It was a vision I’d allow myself to picture only on rare occasions. Ava’s dark hair blew across her face with the slight breeze, and I wanted so badly to brush it away, run my thumb over her lip, then draw her mouth to mine.

She grinned when she caught me watching. “What?”

I shook my head. “Nothing. I was just enjoying hanging out with you…without the drama, that is.” I flashed her a crooked smile, but it didn’t soften the blow.

“Drama? Wait a minute…” She scoffed. “Which one of us is responsible for drama?”

I lifted one shoulder. “Not me?”

“Funny because I was about to say the same thing.”

“What’s drama?” Dax said, trying to skip faster than we were walking.

Ava and I exchanged surprised glances, as if we’d both forgotten little ears were listening.

“Why don’t we get you something to drink, buddy?”

“I’m not firsty. I want to play in the sand.”

We stopped and moved aside from the flow of pedestrians. Ava eyed my jeans, tennis shoes, and polo shirt. “It’s fine with me but…”

“I don’t mind. Whatever he wants.”

“Yay!” Dax took off, dragging Ava behind him.

I slipped off my shoes and socks and followed them.

Dax wasted no time plopping down in the sand close enough to the water he could get his hands on the damp stuff. I loved that Ava didn’t hesitate, even though she wore that cute sundress that looked like it could be new. At the party she was elegant and beautiful, but she also didn’t mind getting her hands dirty. There was nothing I didn’t love about her, even if she was an annoying pain in my ass sometimes.

The three of us sat in the sand, Dax simply attempting to build the world’s tallest hill. Sandcastle wasn’t on his radar yet. Dax talked about the part-time preschool he started, his favorite shows, pretty much anything he could think of, and it was fine with me. I got to look at Ava without the pressure to have any real conversations—not that I thought I could avoid it forever.

“Aunt Ava, look!” Dax held a tiny crab in his hand and then set it on Ava’s leg.

She yelped and jumped sideways, crashing in to me. I caught her, and when she looked into my eyes, my heart stopped. If only I could just hold her, stare into the depths of those chocolate brown eyes, and then…

“Sorry,” Ava said but made no attempt to move, her dark gaze telling me she wanted me to kiss her. Right here. Right now.

It felt momentous and risky and something I couldn’t stop myself from doing because it was all I wanted in that moment. I felt her chest heave into mine as we both leaned in closer to each other.

Just before I closed the distance completely, I saw two tiny sand-covered hands land on Ava’s cheeks. I pulled back and watched as Dax planted a long pressing kiss on Ava’s mouth. “Mwah! Bride kiss!” Dax called out. It was the term he used after seeing a couple kiss on TV at a wedding.

Damn, I just got bested by a four-year-old . I couldn’t help but bust out laughing. Ava’s shocked expression was almost worth missing out. But I wouldn’t make that mistake again. The next time I had a chance to kiss Ava, I would damn well take it.