The fact that Ava Ridley was walking in with a man was newsworthy, but Hunt Knox being that man made it even better.

Ava waved and talked her way all the way across the room, then smiled when Hunt seated her before sitting in the chair to her right.

“Baby back ribs are the special tonight,” Sully said as he gave them the menus. “Enjoy.”

Ava shoved the menu aside and then looked at Hunt.

“What?” he said.

“Just checking to make sure I’m not dreaming,” she said. “And in my panic to find my phone, I neglected to mention how hunky you look.”

Hunt shook his head and then grinned. “You are going to be seriously good for my ego.”

She leaned forward and lowered her voice.

“If I brag on how blue your eyes are, do I get dessert?”

He laughed out loud, and everyone in the room turned and looked, then whispered among themselves about what, if anything, was going on between Ava and Hunt.

Someone remembered Marjorie Knox used to babysit Ava, and someone else assumed they were likely catching up on the old friendship, and their presence together was duly assessed and ignored.

They ordered and ate biscuits while waiting for their ribs. Ava was trying not to think about later, but later was all Hunt could think about. He wanted her in his arms—standing body to body—kissing her until she begged for more.

And then their food came, and they got down to business.

“These are so good,” Ava said as she finished one rib and then took a drink. “Tell me what you’re working on at the house.”

“I finished the grout and caulking, and started scraping down walls to get ready to paint,” Hunt said.

“Is Emma’s room still blue?” she asked.

“It’s faded to more gray than blue, but yes, it’s the same,” he said.

“What about your room…in the attic?”

The smile slid off his face so fast Ava wished she hadn’t asked.

“It’s just the attic again,” he said.

She reached for his hand. “I’m sorry, Hunt. No more talking about the past. Did you see old friends today?”

“It’s okay, and yes, I did. I saw Rob Denton and met his wife. It was good to see him again.”

The awkward moment passed, and they finished their meal.

“Do you still want dessert?” Hunt asked.

Ava put a hand on her belly. “Lord, no, but thank you. As your mama would have said, my eye was bigger than my stomach.”

“You can get some to go,” he offered.

“You want pie, don’t you?” Ava said.

“Guilty,” Hunt said.

She sighed. “Well, good lord, Hunt. Don’t stand on ceremony with me. Order it. And you can get one to go for me. Coconut cream, if they have it.”

“If you insist,” Hunt said.

And this time, it was Ava who laughed.