Unavoidable Chance by Annalisa Nicole Page B

filled with lust and conflict, and I’m mesmerized by them. The umbrella falls to the street as Ava takes one step toward me, she grabs both sides of my face with her hands and pulls me to her lips. One of my hands grabs the side of her head and threads in her wet hair, as my other arm snakes around her back and I pull her against my body with a hard thud. The warm rain pelts my face as her soft lips caress mine. Cars on the street honk their horns as they speed by. She stands on her tip toes to get all she can take. I spread my stance to come down to her level as her tongue enters my mouth.
    Her hands come down to my chest and she pushes me slightly away breaking our kiss. Her forehead comes to my lips, then she turns her head toward the restaurant and sees the entire Wellington family standing in the window staring at us with their mouths hanging open. She takes a step back then closes her eyes. Her hand comes to her lips and I immediately feel lost without them. Then it’s her turn to turn around and she walks away from me.
    “Ava,” I call.
    She doesn’t stop or turn around. Her arm wraps around her stomach as she walks toward the parking lot. She gets to her car and she pauses. She rests her hand on top of the car, then digs in her soaking wet purse and unlocks her door with the key fob. I watch her get into her little red car and drive down the street, as her tires splash water in her retreat. Her entire family exits the restaurant, each with confused questioning eyes. No doubt they’re confused, because I’m just as confused about everything that just happened myself. First, she accuses me of being a stalker and tells me she’s going to get her brothers to beat me up, and kicks me out of her office. Then, she’s looking at me with those amazing sultry eyes, smelling like something I can’t describe other than sunshine, and kisses me.
    “Jax,” a voice says from just inside the restaurant.
    I turn my head to see Gabrielle standing in the doorway with a towel in her hand. The rain hasn’t let up. If anything, it’s pouring harder.
    I grab the towel from Gabrielle on my way inside and walk through the dining room. I ignore the curious stares from the customers, the gawking faces of my employees, and slam through the doors into the kitchen. I press the towel to my face, then run it through my hair. I’ve run into Ava three times now, and every time I run into her there’s this undeniable attraction. It’s like the universe is trying to tell me something.
    I run back through the restaurant, back into the parking lot, and I see Adrian holding an umbrella over the car door as his pregnant wife gets into their car.
    “Do you know where Ava went?” I ask, rushing to their car.
    “Now, why would I tell you something like that,” he replies.
    “Adrian!” Shay says, swatting him in the thigh. She looks up at me then continues, “She said she was going back to work.”
    “Thank you,” I say, and run to my Hummer.
    “How does he know where Ava works?” I hear Adrian ask Shay.
    “Honey, can’t you see it? Now, get in the car and take me home. My feet are killing me.”
    I drive to Ava’s work and park in the parking lot directly in front of the building. I shut off the engine and realize what an idiot I am. It’s way too late at night and I’m sure the building is locked. This is stupid anyway. I have a restaurant full of customers and a staff that needs me to be there. I sigh and shake my head, and just as I’m about to turn the key and leave, a janitor catches my eye. He’s in the front of the building vacuuming the entryway. I smile to myself thinking the universe isn’t trying to tell me something, it’s screaming it at me giving me every opportunity there is.
    I jog up to the door and it is indeed locked. The janitor has his eyes to the ground paying attention to his task at hand. I knock gently on the door and his eyes come to mine. He jumps back like he just saw the Incredible Hulk as his