One night stand with my daddy's best friend
Ten

Chapter 10 Liam

I closed the office doors shortly after five o'clock. It was still strange to be done with work so early. Back in NYC, I'd still have another four hours before finishing my shift.

Here, life was much more relaxed. I was back at my house before dark, peeling off my scrubs on the way to the bedroom.

Today was a long day by Hannibal's standards. I saw many patients and was on my feet most of the time. But in the end, it was short compared to the hours I pulled in the city at the hospital. I wasn't used to feeling so fulfilled, yet without the exhaustion that had become my norm. My blood still pumped with energy.

I thought I was old, and that's why I couldn't keep up in the city. Turns out, I was just overworked.

Spending the evening leisurely seemed like a viable option, but inactivity bored me. I needed to do something. Like going out and meeting people.

A particular brown-eyed, freckle-faced brunette popped into my head. Would she be at Busters? The last time we saw each other there was a Friday, and today was a Wednesday. Or I could go to her house again.

I cringed. That'd be coming on too strong. Plus, the matter of her dad still hung over us.

I tore my eyes away from my button-downs and grabbed a T-shirt. The best option was to stay at home and avoid the temptation to seek out Ava.

Thank goodness, I had something to keep me busy. I planned to install a new deck on the back of the house. No better time than to start than now.

I pulled on some sweatpants and headed downstairs. I searched the fridge for a beer, cracked it open, and headed out back.

The sun was setting and poured golden light over the space. I sucked in the cool, crisp evening air and exhaled.

I'd start working in a moment, but first, I took a few minutes to enjoy Hannibal's quiet.

Only a few weeks here, and it already felt like home. Work days were long, but granted the peace I'd needed. It aligned with what I'd desired for a long time.

The people were also kinder. Life was much more straightforward.

Everything was more colorful and beautiful. And I was turning into a sentimental man.

I took another swig of my beer before setting it on a table.

While the backyard stretched out, ending at a fence, the patio was short. It limited the outdoor living space. To remedy that, I had purchased fine, sturdy wood.

I'd add a new deck and maybe a firepit. With the image fresh in my head, I grabbed a measuring tape and the length of wood I'd need.

I measured and marked the lumber, then grabbed a saw and started cutting.

My breath heaved, sweat gluing my shirt to my back, but it felt good. I was used to working in an office with no break for physical activities. Today, I welcomed the tightness in my upper arms and abdomen. Something new for a change. A doorbell chimed.

I paused, frowning. Was it coming from a neighbor's house? I doubted it.

Empty land stretched in both directions around my home. It wasn't possible to hear a thing from the next house.

It rang again.

Someone was at my door. That set me in motion.

My brows pinched. Could it be a medical emergency?

In the days since I'd returned, no one had ever come to my home after work.

I pulled open the front door. "Ava?"

She smiled, her cheeks turning pink. "That's me." My heart pumped faster. "Um, come on in."

"Thanks." Her smile still in place, she walked into my home.

I drank in her fresh fragrance and stifled a groan. So sweet. Somehow, my voice stayed even despite my senses going into overdrive. "How are you?"

She turned to face me. "Come on, I know you're dying to know why I'm here."

I chuckled lightly. "Well, yeah. That, too."

"I brought takeout." She lifted a bag. "Hungry?"

That was a no-brainer. "Starving. I was working out back. Wanna join

me?" I headed toward the kitchen. "Sure." She trailed behind me.

The sun was falling swiftly in the sky, but there was enough light still.

I made my way to the old table and chairs and grimaced. They looked alright when I was alone. Now they seemed dingy next to Ava, dressed in her flowery dress and sandals. "We could go back inside."

She shook her head. "I love it out here."

To make her point, she dropped into one of the chairs. It creaked, but as she settled in, it quieted.

I took the chair opposite.

She unpacked the bag and handed me a box with a fork, taking the other one for herself.

We opened both boxes, and the aroma of chicken chow mein filled the

air.

"Nice," I murmured, then dug in.

"I know," she moaned. "So delicious."

I studied her face in the waning light. Suddenly, I was more interested in

the warm glow of her skin than the best chicken chow mein I'd had in a long time.

A cool breeze was ruffling her hair, lifting the strands before they settled again on her shoulders. If I could make a wish, it'd be to have the right to caress her skin the same way. Ava stopped mid-chew. "What?"

"You really came just to bring me dinner?" Her throat bobbed. "No, not just that."

I sat up, interested. Maybe she'd finally tell me what had her so worried the other day.

"I'd like to get to know you."

I paused, my eyebrow lifting. "Is that so?" She bit her lip, then nodded. "Yes."

"Huh." I brought a helping of noodles into my mouth, chewed, and swallowed. "What would you like to know?"

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "Well, why did you come to Hannibal? No offense, I love my hometown, but compared to New York, this is backwoods as backwoods can be."

"Really? You think that? New York is a dense hub. Everyone is always rushing and hustling from one place to the next. I like how laid-back and

quiet Hannibal is."

Her eyes watched me carefully, hanging onto every word. Usually, people were telling me about their ailments and problems. But seeing her interested in what I had to say, genuinely interested, kept me talking. "The air is clean here. People here are nice." "Like me?" She teased.

A laugh worked up my throat. "Yeah, of course."

Her giggle carried on the wind. "That may be one of the reasons I like Hannibal, too."

"Because you're nice?" "What? No." She laughed.

I felt my lips stretch in a smile. "But you just said "

"Stop." She pointed her fork at me, still trembling with laughter. "I meant I like Hannibal because of the ambiance and the people. They're great. It's a nice place to live."

I thought back to the picture of her during the charity dog wash. She was one of those great people of Hannibal. If I brought it up, I had no doubt she'd downplay it.

Instead, I asked, "So you've never thought of leaving?"

She looked up at the darkening sky, like it held all the answers. "Well, I did once. But it was only a passing thought. I was mad at my dad, and I told him the moment I turned eighteen, I was leaving." "What?"

"Yeah, I kinda wasn't the most pleasant teenager." I pictured a younger Ava fuming with rage. "What? Why are you smiling?" She eyed me.

"You must have been adorable, declaring your quest for freedom." Her cheeks flamed. "I wasn't adorable. I was mad at my dad." "Why?" "He tossed out my favorite boy band poster." My eyes narrowed.

"That's all?"

"I was a teenager!"

I chuckled. "You're so adorable when you're mad."

"Ugh, and you're annoying." But a reluctant smile covered her face. "It's no laughing matter."

"I know." I pressed my lips together, barely containing my laughter.

"Serious, life-changing stuff."

She sighed. "Yeah, well, I never left. As you can see."

She shrugged. "I love being here. My life is here. Everything I care about.

All the people I love. It's home."

"It's starting to feel like home for me, too." My voice came out gruffer than I expected.

Ava's eyes softened and her fingers twitched. Like she wanted to reach across the table and take my hand in hers.

Warmth filled my chest. Why did I want that?

"So, where did you get this chow mein? I could eat it all day." I faced my meal and took another bite.

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If Ava noticed I was deflecting, she ignored it and gave me the restaurant's name.

We ate in silence for a few moments before she piped up again.

"So, about you and Dad, what was your friendship like before you left?

How long have you known each other?"

The memories brought a smile to my face. I set aside the almost empty container and leaned back.

"Your dad and I became friends in elementary school. Can't remember how exactly, but we just clicked over something. That was a lifetime ago."

She smiled.

"Anyway, Thomas was always bigger than me." I raised both arms, imitating his bulky build.

Ava laughed. "I can imagine that."

My lips twitched. "Well, I eventually filled out. I didn't stay a scrawny kid forever."

Her eyes roamed over me, as if trying to confirm. "Well..." "What?"

"No, oh my gosh." She pressed her hands to her face. "I'm just saying... Dad has always been larger than life and I've seen his childhood pictures, so I get it." "Hmm." I kept my gaze on her, enjoying her deep blush. "You're off the hook. For now."

"Ugh." She rolled her eyes, humor dancing in their depths. "Just tell me more."

"Since your dad was bigger and more assertive than me, he turned into something of a protector. When I got bullied, he was there to defend me.

When we became teens, no one messed with either of us because Thomas was so strong."

"Aww." Ava stared at me with compassion. "Dad's like a big teddy bear now. Can't picture him being all threatening."

I chuckled. "He was threatening, alright. I eventually grew into my frame

"I gave her a pointed look "—and we joined the football team."

I reclined, thinking back to the simplicity of those days. "We had all our firsts together."

"Uh, excuse me?"

I shot up straight. "Like playing sports, first jobs, and sharing dreams of leaving Hannibal!"

"Oh, okay." Ava grinned. A frown stole across her face. "Wait, you said leaving Hannibal. Why did you leave, but not my dad?"

I chuckled. "He met a girl, fell in love, and had you." Her eyes warmed. "My mom?"

I nodded. "She was about your age. Very excited to be a mother. Your dad was scared shitless, though."

"Sounds like Dad." She laughed. "But he came around to the idea of fatherhood?"

Her eyes were strangely solemn.

"Yes, he loves you very much. I don't think he'd have changed a thing." She smiled gently. "Okay."

I wanted to round the table and pull her into my arms, maybe kiss her to emphasize my sincerity. But something about just sitting and talking with her felt so much more meaningful.

The sky was dark now, the backyard only lit up by the outdoor lighting. The warm glow played across Ava's expressive features as she asked me more about my life.

I settled in, my heart filling with contentment. This felt...right.