I arched a brow, whispering, “You mean…”
She joined me in the sitting area while the men talked shop. “Theo was my bodyguard a little over a year ago, so I get it.”
“And now you’re married?”
Ava smiled. “Yes, we are. It’s a long story, but it had a very happy ending.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” I glanced between the two of them, nibbling my bottom lip.
“You have questions,” she observed.
“I don’t want to come across as rude.”
“Believe me when I say very little fazes me these days.”
“It’s just… You’re so young, and he’s—”
“Almost twice my age.” Ava nodded.
“Same as—”Same as Jesse and me. “Nothing.”
She gave me a knowing look. I didn’t detect a hint of judgement. She really did seem like a wonderful person. Understanding. Patient. “There’s nothing wrong with it, you know. Being into silver foxes.”
I coughed. Or maybe I choked. All I knew was that I made an unattractive and embarrassing sound that caught Jesse’s attention from over by his desk. He arched a brow at me. I waved him off, breaking into soft laughter.
“Sorry,” Ava said with an amused glint in her eye. “I’m just teasing you.”
“It’s fine. You just surprised me is all. You remind me of…”Molly.
“I remind you of who?”
“Just a friend. She used to tease me all the time about…” I lowered my voice, “liking older men.”
Ava shrugged. “What’s not to like? Mature. Confident. And they know what they’re doing.” She winked. “If you catch my meaning.”
I giggled. “I’m picking up what you’re putting down.”
“So, how long have you and Jesse…you know.”
“It’s all still very new. Complicated.”
Ava hummed. “When is it not?” The little girl in her arms cooed, waking up from her nap with a whine. “Oh, sorry,” Ava apologized. “I think someone’s a little hungry. We’ll gossip when I get back.”
She excused herself, leaving the office to find a private spot to feed her baby. Meanwhile, I sat there in stunned amazement.
Ava and Theo were married? If I closed my eyes, I could imagine Jesse and me in their shoes. A house in the suburbs. A couple of kids running around. None of this life and death business with an angry cartel hunting me down.
But the more I allowed my mind to wander, the more doubt crept in. Was that something I even wanted? I was far too young to think about settling down. I had goals. Dreams. Things I wanted to accomplish by thirty. There was no doubt that I was attracted to Jesse, but that didn’t equate to a future together.
I meant what I said to Ava. What Jesse and I had was new. Complicated. We were walking down the same path, but there was no telling if or when we’d hit a fork in the road. Why couldn’t we just enjoy the present? If Molly were here, she’d never let up about the fact that—
Molly.
She was still missing. What the hell was I doing here? Why was I sitting around in this lavish office when the cartel had her holed up somewhere dark and dingy?If she was even still alive.
I needed to do something. Anything. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to her and I did nothing to stop it. If that detective at the police station needed proof, I’d get him proof. This was the first time I’d been allowed out of the penthouse, and I wasn’t going to throw the opportunity away.
I cautiously watched Jesse. He was engrossed in whatever Devin and Theo were talking about. Something about security perimeters and bodyguard rotations and payroll, yada yada yada. The subject of their conversation was irrelevant. All that mattered was that Jesse was distracted and I was alone. This was likely my one and only chance to slip away.