Thawing Ava by Selena Illyria Read Free Book Online Page B

something to fall back on, so I got a degree in marketing,” she explained. “I went to culinary school down in Florida while working at my aunt’s café.” Ava had declined any help from her parents or her aunt. She’d wanted to earn her way.
    Brice patted her on the back. “Nice! I’m so proud of you. That’s awesome. So what kind of bakery would you open?” He poured the pasta into a bowl and sprinkled on parmesan and put it on the dining room table. “You almost done with the soup?”
    “Yep. Just have to let it simmer for a bit. Do you want me to make a salad? Do you have any bread or bread sticks? I didn’t look.” She turned down the heat.
    “Sure. Something simple, okay? The pasta will be heavy enough.”
    “Okay.” She got out the ingredients for a lettuce and tomato salad. The atmosphere was cozy, simple and warm. Almost homey. She wasn’t sure if she liked it or not, but it was comfortable. Brice didn’t seem the least bit off put by what looked to be growing between them.
    “Got it. Picked some bread sticks up a couple days ago. Wasn’t sure what I was going to do with them, but they were on sale.” He grabbed some gluten-free bread sticks and put them in a basket, then on the table. She felt relief that he hadn’t lit the candles on the tabletop. This wasn’t a romantic situation; this was dinner.
    Ava finished with the salad and then settled across from him. A sense of ease filled her. He looked so relaxed. Tension wasn’t evident in him. Not like in her father’s office. Brice served first her, then himself. “Thanks for helping with dinner. Beats going out for food. And like you pointed out, these things don’t get used much.”
    Warmth filled her chest. As she dug in, she became very aware of how alone they were in this massive place. Every move she made seemed to be amplified. She could hear the squelch of him twining the spaghetti around the tines of his fork or when he picked up a bread stick and bit into it. The crunch of the lettuce bounced back at her. Her chewing filled her ears, and she could hear nothing else. Once she swallowed, the silence returned to them. She opened her mouth to say something but wasn’t sure what subject to broach.
    “This is delicious. Is this gluten-free pasta?” Ava grimaced at how stupid she sounded. Food talk? Really? As she chewed, she could taste how similar it was to regular pasta but not as filling, not as heavy as gluten-based counterparts.
    The grin he gave her could blind; it was all straight, bright white teeth. “Glad you like it. I’m not allergic, but it’s healthier. Also better for my diet so I don’t gain a lot of weight. Pasta is excellent before a game. Lots of energy to burn but easy to make.”
    “I’ve been meaning to try gluten-free products, see how they taste and everything, but my aunt is old-school when it comes to baking. When’s your next game?” She ate her salad to keep from looking at Brice and avoid feeling stupid for that amateurish change of subject.
    “This weekend with our toughest opponent, the Falcons. We’ve only lost to them once this season and won the last time we met. I really need to be on my game. I’m actually glad you’re here.” His tone didn’t tell her whether he was serious or not.
    She looked up at him and caught the smile on his lips. “I’m not a good-luck charm, and I still have to finish reading my hockey book.” Again that sense of stupidity settled on her. She was tempted to pull an all-nighter and watch nothing but the NHL Channel but didn’t want to keep him up too.
    “No need for the book. You have me to help you refresh your memory of the game. And yes, you are a good-luck charm. You’re going to help me stay on my game.” His face showed how serious he was; his eyes flashed with conviction. “I already feel good, better than I have in years, with you around. It’ll be nice having someone I know cheering me on.” His features softened.
    Silken tendrils of heat