The Trouble With Us: A Second Chance Love Triangle (The Forbidden Love Series Book 2)

by Kat T. Masen

  Ava’s expression shifts, and I’m sure she’s figured why I’m apprehensive.

  “What about you, Dad?” Ava turns to him, clutching onto his arm. “It won’t be the same unless you and Mom are there.”

  “I’ll speak to your mother, but I’m sure we can make it work if she doesn’t have court hearings.”

  “Can you leave the brats behind?” Ava drags, half-jokingly.

  Dad shakes his head with a soft chuckle. “Addison has finals, so I don’t think she’ll make it. As for Alexandra, I’m sure Grandma can stay for a few days and take care of her.”

  “She’s not a kid, Dad,” I snort, trying to defend my youngest sister. “You realize she’s a teenager?”

  “Yes, a teenager who is not responsible enough to be at home by herself. Do you know what happens when you’re the baby of the family?”

  A smirk plays on my lips. “Enlighten us, Dad?”

  “You are spoiled by your mother.”

  This time, Ava snorts. “Like you’re a saint in all this. You’re worse than Mom.”

  “It’s true, Dad,” I tell him while nodding in agreeance. “You spoil Alexandra so much. I feel like I got the worst end of the stick being the firstborn.”

  Dad crosses his arms, his face less than pleased on our unified attack of his parental skills.

  “Who else is coming?” I ask, bringing the conversation back to the weekend.

  Ava drops her eyes to her phone and reads a list of names. “Rocky, Nikki, but no Beau because he’s in Germany for some soccer thing. Andy, Luna, Adriana, and Julian. Willow is staying with a friend.” Ava lets out a breath, then continues, “Kate and Noah, oh and Jessa and Nash. Sienna is also staying back. And, of course, Eric. Tristan is filming in the Bahamas, so it’s just him.”

  “If Eric is there, brace yourselves,” Dad warns us.

  “I don’t know why you keep saying that?” Ava points out, scrunching her face. “Eric is so tame.”

  “You didn’t know him back then.”

  “Wait,” I say, trying to calculate numbers in my head. “How big is this house?”

  “Oh…” Ava nods with a wide grin. “It is big.”

  “And is that all who is coming?” Austin questions with a playful smile. “Are your influencer friends going to be there?”

  “Two of my business associates are, yes.” Ava rolls her eyes, letting out a huff. “Andy and Nash have already asked the same question. I swear all you men think with your dick and nothing else.”

  “Ava,” Dad scolds.

  Austin places his arm around my shoulder. “Hey, don’t look at me. I’m taken. But I do know that Andy is single and has a thing for your friend, Gigi.”

  “Everyone has a thing for Gigi,” Ava drags unapologetically.

  Gigi is beautiful, stunning even. Andy has mentioned her several times. I’m surprised he hasn’t texted me about this yet.

  “I guess if Austin isn’t coming, I can crash with Jessa or something?” I mention out loud.

  “We can work out the details later but trust me, there’s plenty of room.”

  Roman returns to read out the specials reserved just for us. After we place our order, Austin excuses himself to the bathroom while Ava takes a call outside, leaving only me and Dad at the table.

  My glance moves toward the breadbasket as I begin chewing the inside of my cheek. It is now or never, rip the Band-Aid off.

  “I know Will is back,” I blurt out, unable to hold out any longer. “And before you say anything, you have nothing to worry about.”

  Dad presses his lips together in a slight grimace. “I always have something to worry about. You’re my daughter.”

  “What I mean to say is, I’ve moved on, and so has Will.”

  “You know for a fact he has moved on?”

  “I mean, I don’t know of a person he is in a relationship with, but I’ve made it clear how I feel.”

  Crossing his arms, Dad watches me while cocking his head, then raises his eyebrows.

  “And how do you feel, Amelia?

  “I love Austin,” I’m quick to tell him. “I wouldn’t be marrying him if I didn’t.”

  Dad nods his head with a dismissive glance, though he doesn’t say a word.

  “What? You don’t believe me?” I ask, slightly hurt. “I told Will straight to his face that I’m marrying Austin.”

  “You don’t know Will as I do, Amelia,” Dad sneers with a confident tone. “You think he’s going to sit back and do nothing?”

  “You did know him,” I remind him. “Past tense. That was years ago.”

  Austin returns to the table, forcing the conversation to switch to something else. Ava returns as well, just in time for the food to be served.

  Everything is delicious and unique, nothing at all like anything I’ve tasted. There were so many flavors and different takes on everyday dishes like Mac ‘n Cheese. Dad is undoubtedly impressed, excusing himself after the meal to take a tour of the kitchen with Roman. When he finally returns, he shakes Roman’s hand, who looks equally as pleased.

  We exit the restaurant, and I can’t help but ask the burning question.

  “So, Dad, did you buy this place?”

  “I don’t buy things, Amelia. I invest,” he tells me with a confident smile. “I have a meeting next Tuesday with the three owners.”

  “Can I come?” Ava snickers beside me. “If the other two friends look anything like Roman, that is going to be one hell of a nice meeting.”

  Dad lets out an annoyed huff. “No, Ava.”

  We walk along the street, but I purposely slow down my footsteps as Dad and Austin walk a few feet ahead of us.

  “Ava.” I pull her arm back, motioning for her to slow down. “Is Will coming next weekend?”

  “He said he couldn’t make it, something about a business trip in Hong Kong.”

  “Oh.”

  “You look disappointed,” Ava brags with a knowing smirk. “It would have been perfect. Austin can’t make it. A big, beautiful house with a giant pool, and did I say it is a beachfront property?”

  “I’m disappointed for his dad,” I lie, trying to keep my expression to a bare minimum. “You know how Rocky is. He always wants everyone there.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I tried to convince Will, but he said he has been waiting for this meeting for months, and something about trying to get it is like finding gold.”

  “When did you speak to him?” I ask, curious.

  “Yesterday, I went to his office. By the way, his receptionist, Tabitha? What a waste of fucking air. She wouldn’t let me in, even after I said I was Lex Edward’s daughter.”

  I press my lips together, attempting to keep my smile at bay.

  “Hey, I’m sorry about our fight.” Ava laces her arm into mine, resting her head on my shoulder. “I shouldn’t have said those things.”

  “I’m sorry too, but you know, our fighting is training me to fight in court, so all is not lost.”

  Ava lifts her head while laughing, though she keeps her arm linked into mine. “Right, I forgot. So, does Austin know about Will returning?”

  I shake my head, then continue to stare in front of us, where Austin walks alongside Dad. The two of them are a father and son-in-law match made in heaven. There is no reason why I should ruin this for anyone.

  “There’s no need to tell him, what’s the point? I don’t hang out with Will, nor is there a reason for me to see him. If our paths cross again, I’ll mention it to Austin, but for now, no need for him to know.”

  “You’re right.” Ava nods calmly. “Don’t make it bigger than what it is.”

  “Well, it’s nothing,” I remind Ava, but perhaps, it is more to remind myself. “You can’t make nothing into something big.”

  10

  WILL

  It’s been one week since Amelia appeared inside my office.

  The whole thing caught me off guard. I’d barely held myself together after leaving her inside my hotel room the morning
after her drunken mishap, going as far as to inform housekeeping not to change the sheets so that I could smell her all over the bed.

  It was a sick and twisted game I played with myself. Laying there while inhaling Amelia’s scent lingering all over the pillow and sheets. I imagined what it would be like to taste her again, feel myself inside her, and watch her face moan in delight when I hit the spot which drove her crazy.

  I couldn’t help myself—spurting all over my hand like some god damn teenager.

  But then she turned up at my office, supposedly wanting to thank me. I could see right through her; she didn’t want to offer her gratitude. Amelia was there to parade her new life.

  Reminding me of her impending marriage and that she’ll never hurt him.

  The anger poured through me like lava. How dare she come here and act as if her words don’t hurt. But it didn’t stop her, nor did it stop her from opening the wound of the past and assuming I had moved on and into another woman’s bed, quick to judge me on my past performance.

  If only she knew how much I bled.

  Or knew what it felt like to hear the sound of my own heart breaking like shattered glass, the second she walked out of my apartment.

  How each night, I did nothing but drink myself into a stupor because I needed to erase the pain and suffering.

  How my body became numb to the hard liquor and craved something more substantial.

  And how desperate I had become to fall prey to the substances I’d avoided my entire life.

  When money is of no concern, the white lace is the most dangerous thing a broken heart can rely on. And that’s what mine did, for months on end, until a near-death accident which almost cost me my life.

  These dark moments are forever engrained into me. Memories I cannot escape no matter how hard I try. Amelia has no idea that slowly, she is picking at a wound still unable to heal.

  My desk phone rings, interrupting my lucid thoughts. It should be a blessing, but rather my patience wears thin with people demanding my attention.

  “Yes,” I answer, closing my eyes.

  “There is a Miss Edwards here to see you.”

  My eyes spring open. I clear my throat, willing to gain some control of my emotions.

  “Send her in.”

  I adjust my tie before the door opens and Ava bounce’s through. My shoulders slump with a bitter smile following.

  “What is with your receptionist?” Ava complains without a hello or greeting. “It’s like she’s part of the CIA, and you’re under protective guard.”

  My lips curve upwards into a small smile. How uncanny of these two sisters to be so alike even though they don’t think so.

  “Her name is Tabitha, and she is just doing her job.”

  “I bet that’s not the only job she’s doing.”

  Always right, Romano.

  Ava takes a seat without me even offering. “You look disappointed to see me. Perhaps, Tabitha, is it, should be more accurate with which Edwards daughter is paying you a visit?”

  I eye her dubiously, tilting my head to the side while waiting for her to give any sort of clue as to why she is visiting me. When it came to Ava, we rarely spoke and never hung out. She’ll always be the little girl who followed her older sister’s every move, even if it meant she was in danger. And also, the little girl who puked Twizzlers all over her bed because Amelia dared her to eat a whole packet in under thirty seconds. To this day, I still can’t even look at Twizzlers. I recall dry heaving while yelling for Charlie to clean it up.

  However, I will admit she has grown into a beautiful woman. A striking resemblance to her father with the same eyes and shade of hair. Even her cheekbones look identical. Not that I pay attention to Lex’s face much, unless, of course, it was to try to read him when attempting to complete a business transaction.

  “Tell me, Ava,” I say, sitting back in my chair. “What do I owe the pleasure?”

  “Your dad's birthday is coming up.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose while clenching my jaw. “Don’t remind me.”

  “As you may or may not know, my business has grown the past year. Who would have thought a social media platform could turn into such a lucrative business?” she asks, raising her chin with pride.

  “Me, for starters. It’s how I founded this company. Online presence is everything.”

  “Correct,” she answers, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “I’m expanding the business and have started a lifestyle brand. We are in the final stages before launch, and a client of mine has offered their Hamptons estate for me to shoot at.”

  I nod politely. “Nice”

  “So, I was thinking of having your dad's birthday there. What do you think?”

  “You don’t need my permission,” I muse, wondering why she’s even asking me. “You should be speaking to my mother.”

  “I did, she said perfect.”

  My head flinches back slightly. “I don’t understand why you needed to see me then?”

  “It’s next weekend.”

  I let out a sigh, loosening my tie, which I’d only just tightened. “I’m in Hong Kong.”

  Ava presses her lips into a fine line with a confrontational stance, followed by the fold of her arms beneath her chest.

  “Are you really going to Hong Kong, or is it because Amelia is going?”

  “Ava,” I warn her. “Business comes first.”

  “Right…as it did four years ago.”

  I bow my head, letting out a deep breath before murmuring, “You don’t know what happened.”

  “Of course, I know what happened,” Ava professes, raising her tone in frustration. “I was there to witness the aftermath. I wasn’t off galivanting in some new city making millions of dollars.”

  “Is that what you think I was doing in London?” I question with a strangled voice.

  “Isn’t that what you did?” she begs to argue. “You went to London. You worked, you made money, correct?”

  “You use the word gallivanting so loosely like I was bed-hopping,” I scold her, deeply offended by her assumptions. I was sick and tired of everyone assuming I just moved on and went back to my old ways. I fucking loved Amelia. Why does everyone have to question that? “I was just as heartbroken, okay? It was the worst time of my life. But that is no one else’s god damn business but my own.”

  She raises her brows. “But you moved on?”

  “It depends on whose opinion matters, Ava,” I snarl.

  “Are you telling me you stayed celibate the whole time?”

  My hands move to the back of my neck, where I find myself rubbing a particular spot to ease the frustration mounting from this conversation.

  “I never said that. I said it is your opinion that I moved on. Just because I slept with other women, all of which were no more than one time, it doesn’t mean I moved on.”

  “Do you still love Amelia?”

  “What’s with the interrogation?” I rebuke, ignoring the tightness in my chest. “I thought you came here to discuss my dad’s party which I cannot attend. The meeting in Hong Kong was scheduled months ago, and it’s almost impossible to meet with this chairman.” I pause, then exhale a heavy sigh. “As for my feelings toward Amelia, I prefer to keep that private. Especially since you are her sister and notorious for opening your mouth.”

  “I am not notorious for opening my mouth!” she denies while raising her tone. Ava stands up from the chair, pointing her finger at me with an angered expression. “And just so you know, the two of you are just as stubborn as each other. Maybe, if you were both honest with yourselves, the two of you wouldn’t be so damn miserable.”

  “Amelia looked far from miserable when I saw her last,” I tell her with confidence, only to soften my expression when her words sink in. “Ava, what are you trying to say?”

  Ava places her hands on her hips, watching me silently until she throws her hands up in the air, her face darting forward.

  “I’m going to spell it out in Eng
lish,” she scoffs, pressing her hand to her forehead while closing her eyes momentarily. “You’re both in shock from seeing each other. No shit, it’s been almost five years. Emotions are running high. Things have been said. The reality is that both of you need to sort your shit out. It’s either you’re friends or nothing at all. And you’ve come too far to be nothing at all.”

  “And you think it’s so easy just to be friends with someone you’re still in love with?” I beg the question.

  Ava drops her glance toward the floor. Just when I think this conversation is over and she calls defeat, she raises her eyes to meet mine. The familiar emerald green makes it impossible to ignore. Something in the shade is hypnotizing, placing you under a spell.

  “Will, I know Amelia better than anyone else, and that includes my parents. Your bond with her will always be family. And second, to that, is your friendship. Sometimes, Amelia gets caught up in things and forgets her roots. Prime example, your forbidden affair years ago.” She pauses, taking a deep breath to continue with, “Blood is thicker than water. And yes, you may not share the same blood, but both of you were raised to think no different.”

  I remain quiet, listening to her for once.

  “Amelia is stubborn but never underestimate her ability to forgive. She has the biggest heart, and even though she has a ring on her finger with the intention to marry Austin, she will always have room in her heart for you.”

  My eyes break contact as I rise from my chair, pacing the area beside my desk. “I don’t share if that’s what you’re insinuating, Ava.”

  “I’m informing you to allow Amelia to come around. She always does.”

  “And I’m supposed to sit around and do nothing?”

  Ava moves closer to me, raising her hand and placing it on my shoulder. With a deep sigh, she follows with a warm smile.

  “You do you, boo.”

  I raise my brow, cocking my head to the side while waiting for a proper explanation.

  “Be the man she fell in love with. The one who got on her nerves, the playboy who made her jealous with his flirtatious behavior. But most of all, be the man she can’t stop thinking about.”