She pressed a hand to her chest and tried to calm her breathing. She shook her head. “No, they forgot to mention it.”
“I’m sorry, doll. I just flew in about an hour ago.”
Ava exhaled and relaxed. “Have you settled into your bedroom?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me if there’s anything you need.”
“Can I help with dinner?”
“Sure. I need to defrost some more meat first. I don’t think I have enough for all of us.”
“How about we get some pizza? I’ve been craving it for a week.”
“That will work. I’ve never done it here. I haven’t lived here very long. I’d have to call a friend.”
“Do that.”
Ava pulled her phone from her purse and wrinkled her nose at a strong smell that hit her in the face. She had no idea what it was from. It just smelled like very strong potpourri. A grimace crossed her face.
“What’s wrong?”
She turned to Mack. “Nothing. I’ve just got something smelly in my purse.”
She was startled when he tensed and walked to her.
“Give me the purse.”
“Why?”
“I just want to make sure everything’s okay. The guys have told me what’s been going on.”
She looked at his outstretched hand, sighed, and handed him the purse. He walked to the dining room table and started pulling things out. Nothing she saw would cause the smell. She didn’t carry or even wear perfume because it always gave her a headache.
“Do you see anything?”
“No. Did you spill something in the bottom?”
She walked over to him and looked inside of the purse. “Not that I can remember. I don’t even remember smelling it before. Scents like this always give me headaches, so I stay away from them.”
“Let’s keep it here until Sean gets home.” He handed her the phone. “Go ahead and call your friend. I’m already starving, and I get grouchy when I’m hungry.”
She snorted and walked away. She dialed Nia’s number and got the name of a great pizza place that was close and delivered.
She looked up the menu on Google. “What kind do you want?”
“I’ll take a large with everything.”
“Okay.”
“What do you want?” he asked but then held up a hand. “If you tell me a veggie pizza, I’ll spank you.”
She sucked in a startled breath because that was what she was going to say. “Well, I’m…”
“Quit scaring my girl, asshole.”
Her head jerked toward the elevator, where Sean and Jace were stepping off. The air rushed from her lungs, and she relaxed. Her daddy was there. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
Ava squealed and raced toward him, confident he’d catch her. She forgot about the other people in the room as Sean kissed the daylights out of her.
“Get a room, you two,” Jace said and snorted.