Elias dropped his attention to his phone again, which was buzzing, his gaze falling on Ava’s face again. Apparently, he hadn’t clicked out of her page after all. And again, just from looking at her picture, that irrational pull in the center of his chest activated like a trip alarm.
Even at the wine bar earlier, it took everything in him not to touch her. Not to beg her, just to give him a minute. To chill with whatever thoughts were racing through her busy head, and get to know him. She’d been rocking a pair of those stretchy blue jeans, the kind that made women with no ass look like they had one. But Ava didn’t need the jeans because she did. And the cut of her jacket made it even more noticeable. Her black leather jacket was unzipped to just above her cleavage and it almost looked as if she wasn’t wearing anything beneath it, until she turned and he got a glimpse of her blue shirt poking from beneath.
Elias squinted as his phone, then stuffed it back in his pocket.
“I’m gonna make a run right quick,” he told Daniel, who was engaged in a pretty one-sided conversation with ol’ girl.
“Don’t let anybody tear up my shit.”
“Where you headed? It’s ten forty-five.”
“To handle something.”
Daniel eyed him. “Alright,” he said, smirking.
Now that he’d made the decision to bounce, he couldn’t get out of the house fast enough, ducking and dodging nosy folks and Matthew’s questioning eyes as he slid out of his house.
Thirty minutes later, he was walking up the worn sidewalk to a small bungalow on the west side. He rapped on the door then stuffed his hands back into his pockets because the temperature had dropped significantly since this morning.
Ava didn’t even look surprised to see him when she opened the door.
14
“What’s up, Elias?”
Ava bit the inside of her lip, eyeing him warily as he hovered outside on her porch. He knew without question Ellie called her friend as soon as he finished wrangling Ava’s address from her, so, she knew he was coming.
“Ellie gave me your address,” he told her anyway.
She twisted her lips and nodded, her midnight eyes still trained on him. Finally, she released a breath and stepped aside, allowing him to enter.
He leaned against the back of the door, only mildly aware of his surroundings, vaguely noting her place smelled like vanilla, and was decorated in warm pastels—peaches, browns, and soft blues. Instead, he focused on Ava. She was comfortable in a pair of leggings and a long Mavericks t-shirt, with a pair of fuzzy socks on her feet, glass of red wine in her hand. It was bold, maybe even stupid, popping up when he wasn’t sure if she was entertaining some dude but he needed to see her.
“How was church?” he asked, when she crossed an arm over her middle, holding her wine with the other hand.
“You came over here to ask me about church?”
“I came over here because I wanted to see you.”
She released a breath.
“Church was good. I made a list of affirmations and goals.”
“Oh yeah?”
She nodded. “To be honest with myself. To be honest with other people. And to get paid.”
She smiled when she said that last part and he chuckled. Ava looked down at her feet before meeting his eyes again.
“I thought you were having a New Year’s Eve party.”
“I am.”
“And you left your party to come here?”
“I wanted to see you,” he said again.
“Elias…”
“Ava. Come with me.”
“To the party?”
“Yeah. I want you there.”
She twisted her lips and smiled, staring at the ground again.
“Please?”
He was begging.
She lifted her gaze to his. “Okay,” she said finally. “But only as part of my affirmation this year, to be honest with myself.”
She shifted her weight, then met his eyes. “I wanna spend some time with you too, Elias.”
He smiled, and she did too.
“Give me a second to get dressed.”
They made it back to his place just in time for the countdown. He had her trapped between his arms as she leaned against her back against his patio railing. He’d pulled her outside when they first arrived, away from the noise, and Ellie, who showed up as well, wanting to be alone with her. She seemed to be on the same page, snuggling close to his chest, stuffing her hands in his coat pockets. He looked down at her and grinned.
“Best. New Year’s Eve. Ever.”
He chuckled, dodging her light swat at his shoulder, when she murmured how corny he was, laughing. Inside they were counting down. Ava looked up at him, her eyes the color of the night sky, warm and open. He brushed his nose against hers, and she inhaled his air.
“Happy New Year, Elias,” she whispered.
He smiled and pressed his lips to hers.
Afterword
I love the holiday season. The smells, the music, the vibe, the lights, the decorations, the love. The Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack is literally playing in my house as I type this.
Anyway, this novella started out as a holiday super-short that I wrote about two years ago—The Christmas Party. Basically, it was Elias and Ava’s meet-cute and many of you said you wanted to read more about this couple. Two years later… here we are.
I really wrote this book for y’all, and ended up falling in love with this couple. That said, I truly hope you enjoyed it.
Until Next Time,
Love & Peace,
Jacinta
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my mom. As always, I appreciate you beyond words. You read. You correct. You daydream. You encourage. You’re the best mom ever.
To the awesome Lily Java, who has totally saved me with my last two releases, THANK YOU. To Nia Forrester, who is truly, constantly one of my biggest inspirations, thank you. And to Rae Lamar, whose encouragement is so appreciated, thank you. I’m so grateful for y’all.
To all of the readers who’ve rocked with me from day one, and to those who may’ve just started reading my books, thank you. I strive to be better, for you.
I’m grateful to the Lord Jesus for the ability to do what I love. Sweet.
COMING WINTER 2018
THE Morning AFTER
About the Author
A longtime journalist and lifelong music lover, Jacinta Howard resides in the Atlanta area with her daughter and husband. She finds happiness in the pages of a great novel, on the beach, listening to good music and hanging with her family. She is the author of women's fiction and contemporary romance, a USA TODAY Must-Read Author and a two-time RONE Award nominee.
Jacintahoward.net
Also by Jacinta Howard
The Prototype Series
Happiness In Jersey
Finding Kennedy
Keeping Willow
The Love Always Series
Better Than Okay
More Than Always
Less Than Forever
From ‘Because My Heart Said So’
Blind Expectations
The Night Before Page 12