On Dry Land (Swimming Upstream #3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

mess…”
    “Ava! Stop! Everything is okay. There’s absolutely nothing to worry or be embarrassed about, okay? Now, I’m going to run you a bath and you’re going to warm up and relax.”
    “You’re bossy tonight!”
    “You better believe it. Now, the only question you have to answer tonight, the only thing you’re allowed to worry about for the rest of the night is…” Tyler watched as his words sunk into Ava. She shoulders drooped, her eyes were wary, and Tyler felt her tremble beneath him. “What do you want for dinner?”
    With a heavy sigh, Ava turned away from Tyler and kicked off her shoes. “You know what…I hate you right now!” Ava scolded as she spun to face him, all her worry gone and replaced with a wide, wild smile.
    “I’m going to get out of these wet clothes and you can…well, you can…find you own damn dinner! And Tyler…”
    “Yes?”
    “Good luck with finding anything edible to eat in my fridge!” With a final giggle, Ava ducked form Tyler’s outstretched fingers and scampered towards the bathroom.
    Twenty minutes later, Ava had finally relaxed. Between the vanilla scented candles that burnt on the windowsill and the lavender bubble bath in which she was soaking, all the terror that had swamped her was gone. She didn’t even have the strength to worry about Tyler alone in her house, more than likely going through her drawers trying to find answers to questions he hadn’t even asked.
    When the door opened and Tyler appeared, Ava didn’t give a second thought to the fact that she was lying there naked with everything on display. “You look…”
    “Don’t say it. Don’t even…”
    “I was going to say…relaxed.”
    “Sure you were.”
    With a cheeky grin, the one that had seen Ava already get in so much trouble, he said, “But seriously, Short Stack, I’m dying here. Are you really all right?”
    Ava closed her eyes and rolled her neck from side to side, trying to work out the kink that had settled uninvited. “I’m fine. Promise. But why don’t you give me a minute to get dressed, then we can talk?”
    “Or you could stay naked?”
    “Nice try. Now out!”
    Dressing as quickly as she could Ava nearly gave herself a heart attack when the doorbell chimed. She wasn’t expecting anyone. In fact she didn’t remember the last time someone had even used her doorbell. No one came here. No one but her. Alone. That was the way she liked it. The way she needed it.
    Tripping over her underwear as she attempted to walk and dress at the same time, Ava stumbled down the hallway but by the time she made it to the living room Tyler was pushing the door shut with a plastic bag dangling from his long fingers. The smell made Ava’s stomach growl. Loudly.
    “Excuse me?”
    “What? I haven’t eaten and you got food. I don’t even care what it is right now, just open it and let me at it!” Ava giggled, trying to straighten her night gown.
    Moments later they were perched side by side on the couch, stuffing their faces with noodles and crunchy spring rolls.
    “Okay, I can’t sit here a minute longer…you gotta tell me what happened?”
    Coughing and spluttering, Ava looked up into Tyler’s face and noticed the wrinkles that had gathered on his forehead. She knew he was worried. Genuinely worried. About her. The idea that she was the one that put the fear in his eyes made her cringe. “Honestly, I don’t know. I mean, it was nothing dramatic really. One minute I was stuck in traffic, driving along, and next thing I knew I was nothing more than a hood ornament for a truck.” Ava folded her legs underneath her and pushed away her bowl. She’d barely made a dent in it but suddenly food was the last thing on her mind. Goose pimples covered her body as she shivered noticeably.
    “Ava?”
    “I’m fine!” Ava snapped harshly.
    “Liar!” Tyler countered as he sprung from the lounge and stalked into the kitchen, emptying his bowl into the trash.
    “What? What do you want me to