A Rescued Heart (Rescued Heart Romance) Read Online Free Page A

onto her shoulders.
    “Yep, it’s Saturday night.”
    “You’re still planning on going, right?”
    Ava rolled her eyes when she recognized the hope in her friend’s voice. “Yes. I know my record of attending weddings hasn’t been very good the past couple years, but I’m looking forward to this one.”
    “Good. I’m glad. So … are you planning on taking someone?”
    “Ha ha, very funny, Jules.”
    “You’d have a great time.”
    “No.”
    “I know this guy.”
    “Quit.”
    Julia’s grin started wide and ended mischievous. She obviously enjoyed herself, a little too much for Ava’s patience.
    “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
    “Come on, Ava,” she pouted, “just hear me out.”
    If Ava didn’t have twenty years of history with Julia, she might have been a little annoyed at the badgering. They met in early grade school and had been best friends ever since. They grew up on the same street, riding bikes together and having sleepovers. Besides family, there wasn’t anyone else she trusted more. Julia only brought up the matter of her dating again because of concern for Ava’s happiness, but even after two years, the subject stayed one that Ava did not like to discuss. Being left at the altar continued to not only be embarrassing, but deeply scarring.
    Dating for her was off the table at this point. It joined the same category as skydiving and bungee jumping … it terrified her.
    The thought of Matt popped into her mind, and she became frustrated with herself because this wasn’t the first time today the handsome officer had invaded her thoughts. Ava quickly dismissed the idea of bringing him up to Julia. She didn’t want the drama that would ensue.
    Ava waited, debating if she could handle this conversation Julia pushed. “Fine,” she conceded as she grabbed the plates and joined Jules at the table. “You’ve got five minutes.”
    “Really? You’re starting to break a bit, Ava. I can feel it.”
    “Four and a half, you better get to it, time’s a ticking.” Ava tapped an imaginary watch on her wrist.
    “Okay, okay, so much pressure.” Julia took a deep breath. “I’m not saying that you need to go out and start a serious relationship. I understand that commitment is still not an option for you. But what’s wrong with just going out on a friendly date?”
    “It seems pointless. Dating should be the first step in seeing if that someone is marriage material, and I have no desire to look for a husband.”
    Pleased with her rebuttal, Ava smirked, certain her statement would silence her long-time friend. She wanted to lick her finger and make an imaginary mark in the air . Round one to Ava.
    She licked too soon.
    “I see your point, and it’s a good one, but it’s not going to change me bugging you until you cave.” Jules smiled, determined to win this conversation for once.
    “I still don’t see what good it would do.”
    “Listen, your heart was crushed. I’ve been with you every step of the way and know how devastated you were. I stayed with you all those nights when you cried yourself to sleep. But Ava, it’s time. Even if it’s only a few dates, just to get your feet wet again. You have to trust God to guard your heart. It doesn’t have to be anything serious, just go out and enjoy yourself.”
    It had been two years and still a part of her remained dead. Burying her emotions created a safe environment, why dig herself out of that shelter now. Ava twirled her fork around in her food, stalling. “I’m scared, Jules,” she finally admitted.
    “I know, but you’re never going to know unless you try.”
    “Okay, tell you what. I’ll think about it.”
    Julia lifted an eyebrow and gave a look of determining if Ava was serious or just trying to get her off her back.
    She was both.
    “Seriously, I will think about it.”
    “Good. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. Discussion closed.”
    Ava laid in bed that night wrestling with the promise she’d made to