<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">“Mmhmm . . . Oh, not the last Star Crunch.” She groaned with a smile, listening while he went on to tease about the various grocery items he imagined they were out of. The imagery it conjured was accompanied by a pleasant warmth, and vividly she constructed those common domestic scenarios right along with him. Just as clearly she could see the list in her hand, envision herself performing those normal and simple acts. Ava didn’t think much about the future-- she didn’t have to since it was never more than a sleep away. With all the darkness in the world, she didn’t allow herself to think of the possibilities of love and family. While she admired what her mom and dad had, she knew it was rare to find the kind of mutual purpose and partnership they were so fortunate to have found in one another. So many hid their purpose, behind badges and demanding professions, leaving spouses and significant others blissfully unaware. Others struggled to strike a balance, unable to maintain meaningful relationships outside their dark and dirty work. She assumed that she would be of the latter lot, trying and failing to connect with people who could never know of all the ugly things that went bump in the night-- who could never understand the kind of evil in the world that worked right under their noses. <br/>
<br/>
With Wes, she didn’t have to hide anything. And, more astounding than that he embraced a part of that she, and others, deemed odd and unsettling. She wasn’t oblivious to the rarity. In realizing it a whole world of possibility opened up to her, a life of her own; love, home, family. Flashes of cozy nights flickered in her mind, watching movies and playing board games. She smiled at the idea of cooking together, working around one another in a small kitchen before sitting down for dinner. Holidays spent making their own traditions, romantic date nights, weekend getaways . . . It was all attainable, though she knew that she had to restrain those thoughts. While it seemed that Wes was just as willing to entertain silly possibilities, she was aware that the shift from unusual stranger and untrusted associate to partner in crime and confidant was sudden. Still, she let her eagerness guide her, pleased when the Hunter agreed to meet. “That’s perfect. I’ll see you soon, then.” The butterflies in her stomach were in a frenzy, fluttering so madly that she thought she might faint from the excitement. Ava quickly wrapped up her business at the hardware store, then made her way back home.<br/>
</span><br/><div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">***</span>​</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><br/>
<br/>
She was a little late. Even living so close to the thriving tourist district, it was easy to underestimate the traffic or forget to plan around the various events and attractions. New Orleans nightlife was colorful and lively, possessing an energy that drew in enthusiasts of all stripes. For a local, the vibrant atmosphere could seem dull. It could lose its luster to the never-ending crowds and the inflated costs, but she never felt that way. Not even when she had to park three blocks down, wedge herself into a parking space so tight that she was certain she wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon. Despite the clock on the dash reading five minutes past their meet time, she found a couple of seconds to fluff her hair. Running her fingers through her long, dark tresses she made so the waves laid perfectly, framing her face just right. Pressing her lips together to renew the pale, pink tint, she took a breath. For some reason she felt nervous, jittery and giddy in a way she hadn’t felt before-- not for Wes. <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fimgur.com%2F2SSZXFL&amp;hash=8b5b7527c43dd5215d3d1b775fa3b19a" href="https://imgur.com/2SSZXFL" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Ava</a> could hardly bring herself to care what she looked like when she met the Hunter the time before. She was casually dressed, always put together, but never fussy over a hair out of place or the state of her makeup. In that moment she briefly wished that she could go back, if only to quiet the compulsion that kept her moving her hands through her glossy hair.<br/>
<br/>
Finally she stepped out of the car, footsteps carrying her from the street to the sidewalk to join the rest of the masses as they moved from one place to the next. While their pace was slow and leisurely to take in all the sights and the glorious, historic architecture, hers was hurried. In her tall heels she skirted around them quickly, slipping through the spaces between large families and couples as they strolled. Every intersection she came upon felt like an eternity to wait, the glowing light on the other side of the crosswalk taking forever to count down the seconds till the coast was clear. Moving with the large migrations of people, her pace was slowed, at their mercy until some reached their destination and others went in a different direction. She was almost there, able to see the corner from a distance. Green eyes looked for the familiar blonde hair, the dark attire she had imagined he’d wear. Ava’s footsteps slowed, thinking for a moment that--despite her tardiness-- she was the first to arrive. It wasn’t until she locked gazes with the familiar eyes she had been infatuated with for the last week that her feet began to move. <br/>
<br/>
She moved slowly at first, trying to play it cool. But, excitement began to get the better of her, making her footfalls quicken. Maneuvering around bystanders and those slow moving pedestrians she began to run, not satisfied with her pace until she was launching herself toward him. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her feet were off the ground as she held onto him, face buried in his neck as she breathed him in. She was content to remain there, letting the world fall away till it was just the two of them on that corner. The passersby, the jazz band playing in the club, the chatter, and the laughter all went away so that she could enjoy the moment she'd been waiting for since they’d parted ways that morning in the roadside motel. She savored the feel of him, the comfort of his arms and the warmth of his body. “Sorry I’m late . . .” Ava breathed, her embrace finally loosening so that she could begin easing her feet back to the ground. “I suppose we’re even today.” Staring up at him she was positively beaming, her smile soft but her eyes bright and shimmering with adoration. “I almost didn’t recognize you. You clean up nice. I feel like I should call you ‘Mr. Marquez.’” She teased. </span>