Between photos, I stepped away and called my lawyer. “Hey, you ready for war?”
“Cole?” he asked, voice confused. “What’s up?”
“My grandfather just made a shot he can’t take back. I need to take him down.”
“Finally.” The confusion turned to glee. “Count me in.”
I made it to the reception without giving in to the urge to drag Ava away from everyone and force her to listen to me. But my gaze kept landing on her, while hers studiously avoided me. She gave her maid of honor speech, looking perfectly happy for her sister. Still, I noticed her eyes lacked their usual sparkle.
Then it was my turn to toast Luke and his new bride. I stood and took the microphone from Ava. I’d prepared a speech, but in the moment, it didn’t feel right. Instead, I winged it. “I’m sure Luke is terrified I’m going to share a bunch of embarrassing stories from our time as friends, such as when he stole Mrs. Murphy’s sundress off her line to wear through town, after we stole his clothes when he went skinny-dipping. Or the time he… no, I won’t go there.”
I shot Luke a grin as he laughed, cheeks flushing. I cleared my throat. “Instead, I’m going to say that Luke always knew how to fight for what mattered. Something I learned the hard way. It’s easy to walk away, and hard to stay and fight.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ava glance my way. I was tempted to push further. She would have to listen if I kept talking about us. But this wasn’t our moment.
“Watching Luke and Becky’s love story, it’s obvious they got it right. From the moment they met, despite being young and sometimes foolish—I’ve got plenty of foolish Luke stories, trust me—they grabbed hold of each other and never held back. Through everything that came their way, they remembered whatwas important. And now, we’re standing here today celebrating their love and the future they’ve committed to together.”
I raised my wineglass. “To Luke and Becky. Whose love story is an inspiration—and a lesson—to all of us.”
I looked over at Ava, our gazes locking as her eyes clouded with uncertainty. My heart hammered. I’d planted the seed. Hopefully, it would take root and work its magic.
Chapter 9
AVA
I stared at the table,eyes blurred, as I replayed Cole’s speech in my head. Was I wrong for thinking he was talking about us? I expected his speech to be full of stories about Luke and a few words of congratulations. Instead, it sounded like he was a man fighting for something.
He’s just a smooth talker.My grip on my wine glass tightened. He’d proven he could talk me around even with everything stacked against him. This was just more of the same. Though why he bothered, I didn’t understand.
I stiffened when Becky and Luke walked onto the dance floor for their first dance. The bridal party would join them shortly, and I’d have to dance with Cole. I waited for the last possible moment before taking the hand he offered me.
His arms came around me, and his hand burned against the small of my back. He held me like I was made of glass, careful not to pull me an inch closer, but his jaw was so tight a muscle ticked in his cheek. We swayed to the music, and despite everything, my body relaxed in his hold, recognizing his touch and his presence. I tried to fight the feeling of safety I got being in his arms, but my mind couldn’t override it.
Finally, I couldn’t take the silence between us and whispered, “Why are you doing this?”
His answer was simple, but struck me deeply. “Because I’m not holding back anymore.”
The second the song ended, I left the dance floor. I looked for Maisie, confirming she was still being watched by my parents, then slid into the darkness surrounding the reception area. I needed to breathe. To escape the tug inside me that still wanted the Cole I thought I saw that morning.
But I wouldn’t let him hurt me again. The first time I could blame it on being young. The second time, on being hopeful I could give Maisie the family she deserved. If it happened a third time, there’d be nothing to blame but my foolishness.
I stopped near the edge of the forest, crossing my arms over my chest, and stared up at the stars. Despite the anger and the utter conviction that I was right to walk away when he lied to me, it still hurt. I’d almost let myself believe he had changed. That he would finally choose me.
“Ava.” Cole’s voice, pitched low, drifted toward me on the cool night air.
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“I know. And I don’t blame you.” He stepped in front of me, hands in his pockets. “But I can’t just let you walk away. I didn’t fight for us six years ago. I will now.”
“You call lying to me fighting for us?” Bitterness coated my tone.
“No. I call it a mistake. I thought I was protecting you. I was wrong.” He pulled a familiar envelope out of the inside pocket of his coat. “The truth is, I don’t know how to protect you from this. My grandfather realized Maisie is my daughter, and he threatened to go after custody of her if I don’t agree to marry the woman he chose.”
It felt like something was squeezing my airway, strangling me. I gasped for air. Cole gripped my shoulders. “Breathe, Ava. I will never let that happen. He can’t have Maisie.”
My head was light, and my heart cracked. “You’re going to do it. You’re going to do what he wants.”
“Not a chance.” He shook his head sharply. “I let him think he’d won. I thought if I bought myself some time, I’d figure out a way to beat him at his game. But I should have told you. You asked me for honesty, and at the first opportunity to prove I could be trusted, I lied.”
