“You got it, babe.” I helped her into my Camaro.
Ten minutes later, we were in the club’s designated booth at Casitas Mexican Restaurant. Maria, one of the owners, had just brought our drinks to the table.
I lifted my beer. “Congratulations on your first tattoo, baby.”
She raised her margarita and clinked it to mine. “Thank you.” After sipping her drink, Ava rested her head on my shoulder. “When I call, she doesn’t answer. I know she told me to leave her alone for a while. I just want to be sure that stubborn old bird is okay.”
Son of a bitch. I knew Ava had been a bit off today, but I wasn’t sure why. Silvia pissed me off the way she kept avoiding Ava after we’d moved her back home. That crabby old woman was like an annoying thorn in my side. I hated how she made my girl sad.
“It’s like she’s glad I moved out and doesn’t want to see me again.”
I pulled her close. “I’m glad you moved in with me.” I wouldn’t have accepted otherwise.
“I know. You’re my happy place, Drew.”
“You’re mine too, baby. Our demons are silent when we’re together.”
She kissed my chin. “Mhmm. They are.” She rubbed her hand over the most prominent scar on my back. Last week, I’d told her a little about the lashings I’d gotten when I was a kid. It had been a painful conversation to have for both her and me. She’d cried, and I’d had a nightmare that night, but she’d been there to hold me and love me through it. “I’ll always be with you. It’s just she’s the only family I have. How can she be so cruel to me?”
“Beats the fucking hell out of me. I’m about to go over and give her a piece of my mind.” I lifted her chin to see her face. “You know I’m not joking.”
“I do. It wouldn’t do any good. Why force her into a relationship with me if she doesn’t want one?” She shook her head. “Grizzly is keeping an eye on her with all his security stuff, right?”
“Yes, baby. But I’ll stop by if you want.”
“I’d appreciate it. She likes you. Maybe she’ll tell you what I did wrong.”
I held in a growl. Ava hadn’t done a damn thing wrong. For as long as I’d known Silvia, she was never a nice person and bitched about everything. I’d tolerated Silvia for Ava’s sake. It was no wonder she was hurting over Silvia ignoring her; she hadn’t seen what I saw.
“Here we are.” Maria appeared with our meal. “Enchiladas forla señoritaand fajitas for you,señor.”
“Thank you,” Ava replied.
“Enjoy your meal.” Maria dashed away.
I nodded, licking my chops. “I’m starving.”
“Me too.” Ava forked some rice and beans. “I think I’m ready to get a job.” She shoveled her food into her mouth.
I nearly choked on my mouthful. “What?”
“Drew, I can’t let you keep paying for me. I need to contribute something.”
I chewed and swallowed. “Baby, I earn enough for both of us. I thought you liked being with the other old ladies.”
She wiped the corner of my mouth with a napkin. “I do. But Snow is planning to reopen Sister Chic Boutique in the summer, Jaynee works with Lynx at The Bullet, and Tara is still teaching. I just thought I should earn my keep.”
I studied her pretty face. “Where do you want to work?”
She shrugged and forked another bite. “I don’t know.”
I drummed my fingers on the table. The last thing I wanted was to strong-arm Ava into staying at the compound. I would support her if she wanted a job—so long as it wasn’t at night or in a sketchy part of town. I’d offer her a receptionist position at the gym, but she was afraid to go there, which I didn’t blame her for. Bulletproof windows were being installed. Maybe once the place was secured, she might reconsider.
“Do you not want me working?”
I dropped a kiss on her lips. “I want what you want.”
She flashed me a radiant smile. “I just thought of something.”