by Tess Summers
“Ava,” he warned, “if you take this offer, we can’t see each other until this case is over.”
“Well, hopefully you can get it to trial fast then,” she sneered as she picked up her purse and walked toward the door. How dare he give her an ultimatum like that?
She paused, giving him one last opportunity to make things right. He didn’t, and she gave him her best your loss look before walking out the door.
Fortunately, she made it onto the elevator before tears started streaming down her face. Who was she kidding? It was definitely her loss.
Chapter 16
TRAVIS stood looking at the door Ava had just walked out of. Frankly, he was shocked by what had transpired. He knew he’d been an asshole to her, but never in a million years did he expect her to get up and walk out. He knew damn well that’s what he deserved but right now, his pride had taken over all rational thought.
Good, she was starting to take up too much of my time anyway.
Except now thoughts of her were taking up even more of his time, and he slept like shit. He knew he’d made a mistake by letting her leave and not chasing after her, but he wasn’t sure if he should try to fix it. He was not going to let her see how much control she had over him. Nor was he going to concede it to himself. Besides, her taking the job after he asked her not to spoke volumes about how she felt about him. He wasn’t about to admit he had demanded—not asked—she not take it and almost left her no choice.
* * * *
Ava met Charlie for lunch downtown the following day. She did her best to not look like she had been up all night crying. Travis hadn’t come after her nor had he tried to get in touch with her. Not that she expected it; she had just really hoped he would. Maybe she should have told him she wouldn’t take the job—left him with no doubt about how much he meant to her. Maybe he was right about the reason they made her such a great offer.
She knew in her heart he gave her the ultimatum so he could cool their relationship. She also knew he was not the reason Ridgeport Realty was trying to recruit her—his arrogance she normally found so incredibly sexy was now like a wet blanket. The reason they wanted her was not about him, and he could piss up a rope if he thought it was. Her anger about that helped her get out of bed and dressed the following morning.
While walking to the restaurant where she was meeting Charlie, she began to wonder why Charlie had wanted to meet with her. She suspected it had something to do with the fact she had lunch with his boss last week, and he wanted to capitalize on that. So when he revealed the real reason he had asked her to lunch, you could have knocked her over with a feather.
“Do you think it’d be weird if we went on an actual date?” he asked her after they’d finished their meal. It had been a pleasant lunch, both seemed to be comfortable and the conversation was lighthearted. Although when he asked her about Travis, she got a little knot in her throat when telling him they were just friends. Could they even consider themselves that anymore? When Charlie was assured of the platonic nature of Ava and Travis’ relationship, he took that as a green light to pursue a date.
“Don’t you think Trav—I mean, Brad would have a problem with that?”
Charlie assured her he wouldn’t. “After I saw you last week, I went home and told Brad about running into you. When he didn’t react, I waited until the weekend to ask him if he would mind if I asked you out. He said it was fine.”
Ava was thoroughly confused and knew she was missing a big piece to this puzzle.
“Well that is weird because he called me Monday morning and asked me to dinner.”
“He did what?” he asked incredulously before shaking his head. “That son-of-a-bitch. He’s getting back at me for hitting on a girl he was dating. But in my defense, I didn’t know he was dating her at the time. I’m sorry you’re being put in the middle of this.”
What the fuck is it with everyone being so sure no one is pursuing me simply because I’m worth being pursued?
“Well, I’m having dinner with him tomorrow night so I’ll let you know if he really isn’t okay with you asking me out.”
“Are you at all interested in going out with me? I hated how things ended with you and Brad, and that I was even a part of it by being there. I’ve wanted to reach out to you but didn’t think you would want to talk to me. I was so surprised you were happy to see me last Thursday, and it didn’t seem like it was only because you wanted to hear about Brad.”
No, she didn’t want him giving her any updates on Brad. His boss, on the other hand…
She squeezed his hand before patting it. “Is it okay if I think about it?”
“How about this? There is a group of us going to the Wounded Warrior Ball next weekend. Maybe you could hang out with us, and we’ll see what happens?”
Shit. She had almost forgotten about the ball. That was where she and Travis were going to first be seen officially in public together. She dared even say as a couple. Not anymore. The thought of what might have been suddenly made her sad. Fortunately, the reason they were no longer together continued to piss her off.
“That will be fun. Thank you.”
Now I need to find the perfect dress that says ‘Sucks for you, Travis Sterling. I could have been on your arm tonight!’
Operation Sex Kitten had a new goal and direction. She called her mom while walking to her car after lunch. “We need to go ball gown shopping!”
“Oh, Ava, you haven’t gotten your dress yet?” her mother scolded. “How many times did I ask you to go only for you to assure me you were going to take care of it on your own?”
“I know, Mom. It completely slipped my mind.”
It hadn’t really, but she was working so hard during the week to make sure her weekends were free to spend with Travis that she’d neglected to go look for one.
“Can you go later this afternoon? I don’t have any clients so I’m free.”
“Meet me at Delilah’s at four o’clock,” her mother replied.
Come on, Delilah, work your magic!
She’d gotten almost all of her formal gowns from Delilah’s Dresses and had never been disappointed. This time was no exception. She found a beautiful sleeveless royal blue chiffon gown with a mermaid train that hugged her body and accentuated her petite frame. Her mother took a sharp breath in when Ava stepped onto the platform in front of the fitting room mirrors.
“Honey, this is the one. You look stunning. It’s the perfect style and the perfect color. It’s as if it was designed just for you.”
She needed to feel beautiful and confident when she next saw Travis. This dress would help her do just that.
She bought the ideal accent pieces and three-and-a-half-inch heels. She had gotten better with the high heel thing, but she didn’t want to push her luck with too high a shoe and fall face first right as she was walking by Travis.
At dinner with her parents that evening, she casually mentioned she was having dinner with Brad the next night. Her mother scowled and asked, “Why?” Her dad didn’t react other than his set jaw. She knew he trusted her judgment and that she would not get involved with Brad again.
“He called me out of the blue on Monday and asked me to have dinner. I’m more curious than anything about what he wants.” Besides, it will help keep my mind off what Travis is doing. Remembering what they were doing a week ago on Thursday, she was dumbfounded to think about how she went from feeling so content and in love to so miserable and alone in less than a week.
All good things must come to an end.
She stopped herself. Why do they have to come to an end? Who the fuck made up that rule?
Her mother graciously changed the subject. “Robert, your daughter is going to be the belle of the ball. We found her the perfect dress today.”
Ava stood up to clear her and her parents’ plates, kissing her dad on the cheek. “You better bring your gun, Pops. They’re going to be lining up to dance with me,” she teased.
Judge Ericson rubbed her upper arm. “I wouldn’t doubt it, Bear. You’re as beautiful as your mother.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “You better be as picky as she is too.”
She knew that comment was in direct reference to her having dinner with Brad tomorrow. She loved him for being both bothered by it but still trusting her to make the right choices.
“Don’t worry, Dad. I know I deserve someone as wonderful as you. I’m never settling again.” She kissed him on the top of his head then took the dishes to the sink.
Frannie didn’t look as convinced.
* * * *
Brad had texted her he wasn’t able to get a dinner reservation until eight p.m. That actually worked out better for Ava because she had gotten used to eating late while dating Travis, as she stayed at work after hours during the week in order to free up her weekend to be with him.
He was already in the lobby waiting for her when she arrived. She’d taken care to look nice but didn’t go all out, especially with the information Charlie had shared with her yesterday. He looked good, his typical California boy shining through. It was obvious from his tanned skin and sun-bleached hair that he’d been spending time surfing. He also knew how to lay on the charm, but it was funny what a different light she now saw it in. She wasn’t the least bit interested in him anymore, something she never thought she would have felt just five weeks ago.
Even though he had a reservation, they still waited. She was thinking about how different it was from showing up somewhere with Travis, where people scurried to assist and accommodate him, when Travis and a drop dead gorgeous raven-haired beauty actually walked in. True to form, they were seated immediately. He hadn’t even noticed her. She felt a lump in her throat and a pit in her stomach.
Brad noticed Travis, though, and urged Ava to go over and say hello. “Charlie said you two had lunch last week. I’d love an introduction, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Wild horses couldn’t have dragged her over to say hello to Travis, especially when she saw the tender looks he was giving his date. Ava tried not to stare, but the woman was stunning. He had definitely traded up from her, that was for sure.
“He hates to be disturbed when he’s eating,” was the best reason she could think of to offer why she wasn’t going to stop by his table.
As usual, all sorts of thoughts were racing through her head. Had he realized when he was with Ava that maybe he was ready to commit and fall in love, but it needed to be with someone more in his league than she was? Tears stung her eyes at the thought, but she conceded that was just the way the world worked.
Brad took her hand and tried to look into her eyes. “You are more beautiful than ever. I have missed holding you in my arms.”
Really? Those arms don’t hold a candle to the ones I was in last week.
The reality that she wasn’t going to have that feeling of being safe and protected in those arms again made her eyes well again with tears. Brad must have thought it was over him because he seemed encouraged. When she gave him the hand squeeze and pat she had given his roommate yesterday instead of leaning in to kiss him, he looked confused.
“Brad, you will always hold a special place in my heart, but I think it’s best if we leave things as they are.”
“Give me a chance, Ava. Please? Let’s go hiking this weekend. Remember how much we loved doing that?”
It was at that moment she realized she hadn’t loved doing that—he loved doing that. They never did any of the things she loved doing. It was always about making him happy, and she had been a willing and eager participant so she had no one to blame but herself. Those days were gone.
Looking at him like she felt sorry for him, she said, “I really didn’t love it. In fact, I haven’t gone once since we broke up and don’t miss it a bit.”
She was leaving him nothing to work with.
“Well, we could go antiquing if you want.”
Antiquing? Where the fuck did he get I like antiquing?
She wasn’t going to give him an ounce of grace and replied in an almost annoyed tone, “I don’t like to go antiquing! Why on earth would you think that?”
Damn, she missed how special Travis made her feel. Even if it wasn’t real on his part, she’d take it any day over how this oaf was making her feel.
She had another epiphany. She was deserving of someone who made her feel special and it was real. A version of Travis Sterling who was in her league, perhaps.
This had been one enlightening, empowering, and depressing evening all rolled into one.
But Brad appeared to have decided he wasn’t going down without a fight. When they were standing outside the restaurant about to go their separate ways (Ava realized Travis would never let her walk to her car alone at night), he grabbed her by her arms and kissed her hard on her mouth. He had always been what she considered a good kisser, but the abruptness and the almost forcing his mouth on hers was not enjoyable, and she vigorously pushed him away.
“What are you doing?” she hissed. She stared at him angrily for a second before shaking her head and saying, “Not cool, Brad.” Turning to leave, she was startled to see Travis waiting at the valet with Miss America, watching what had just transpired between her and Brad. Miss America said something to him, and he leaned over, put his arms around her shoulders, and kissed her temple.
You know what, Travis? You can join Brad in a fuckoff party.
Head high, she walked to the parking lot alone.
*
Brad stood there as she stormed off. Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting. He had honestly thought getting her to go out with him again would be a slam-dunk.
He had realized right away there was something different about her. She was a lot more confident and didn’t seek his approval. Not to mention, she seemed more beautiful than ever. When Charlie had talked to him about asking her out, he hadn’t been the least bit jealous. When Charlie revealed he saw her when she was having lunch with Travis Sterling, Brad suddenly became a lot more interested. He’d been trying to get in with Carson, Burns, Sterling, and Cooper and thought maybe Ava would be able to help. Plus, when he was the one who took her on a few dates instead of his roommate, he could get even with Charlie for hitting on Marie. Seeing other men in the restaurant appreciating Ava was giving him second thoughts about it being only a few dates. Hell, even Travis Sterling couldn’t keep his eyes off her. He needed to figure out how he could best use this to his advantage.
Chapter 17
TRAVIS had seen Ava the second he walked into Evangeline’s. Tara had called and asked him to dinner and, needing the distraction, he didn’t think twice before telling her yes. Besides, she said she had something important to tell him and practically left him no choice. He was not expecting to see Ava, and it took his breath away for a second when he did.
She looked great, and the guy she was with seemed to suit her. They were both young, blonde and good looking. Still, it should have been him that was there with her tonight. It was all he could do to not go and beat the shit out of the guy when Travis saw her shoving him away as he kissed her, even though he was secretly thrilled she didn’t want to kiss him. The look she gave Travis as she turned around was one he had seen the first night she met him when he was being difficult. Except this time the effect on him was different. Instead of being amused and annoyed like the night at the party, it hurt. Just like seeing her with another man had.
What the hell am I going to do?
Unfortunately for him, pride and panic were still the driving forces in his decision-making, but now a new alarming twist set in. What happens if she finds somebody else?
Of course she is going to find someone else, you dumbfuck.
* * * *
The night of the ball arrived, and Ava looked like an absolute knockout. She had paid to have her hair and makeup professionally done and was very pleased with how both turned out. As she stood appreciating her appearance in the mirror, she decided tonight s
he’d consider herself beautiful. That was going to come in handy when she made sure to say hello to the ball’s title sponsor.
She met up with Charlie and his group of friends during the cocktail hour. The women were very friendly, and the men were the same, in a non-threatening way. The number of men and women was uneven so she knew they weren’t all in pairs. She was trying to get a read on who was coupled with who, if any, and quickly figured out Jeff and Tracey were an item, even as they pretended not to be, and Nicole had the hots for Ryan. The rest of them seemed to just be friends. They were a fun group, but one in particular was being exceptionally attentive to Ava, even more so than Charlie. Matt Poulson was an engineer, and they seemed to have a lot in common as they talked around one of the small, high top tables strewn throughout the lobby area where drinks and hors d’oeuvres were being served.
Ava looked at her watch. Ten after six. The bell for the receiving line was going to chime soon so she excused herself to the bathroom to check her hair and makeup. She hadn’t seen Travis yet, but having not really mingled outside the small group, she wasn’t surprised.
The bell chimed right as she finished reapplying her lipstick. Taking a deep breath in as she gave herself a once-over in the mirror, she thought, Here goes nothing.
The group had graciously waited for her before making their way to the line. Frannie and Robert would be part of the receiving group, as well as Travis and other large sponsors and their spouses, high-ups in the WWP foundation, a couple of honored guests from the military, and those who had been helped through the project.
The third person in was a very handsome major general from the Marine Corp. When Ava got to him, he quietly sucked in his breath before smiling casually at her as he took her hand. Ron Thompson didn’t take his eyes off her and moved his thumb over her hand before letting go. She simply gave him a smile and glanced up under her lashes at him to acknowledge the touch.
Two people over were her mother and father. Judge Ericson leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You look stunning, Bear,” he whispered in her ear before pulling back and smiling appreciatively at his oldest daughter.