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I bite my lip while shuffling my feet. “Wait, isn’t that bad luck?”
Austin cocks his head, his hazel-colored eyes probing me with an annoying smirk.
“Stop being dramatic, Ava. You’ve got beautiful hands, just like Millie. Now shut up so I can practice.”
I stand still as Austin reaches out for my hand. When his fingers touch mine, I hold my breath, terrified the small jolt which electrified throughout my body is a warning of a bad omen.
Slowly, he guides the ring down my finger until it nestles into place. It fits perfectly. He holds onto my hand as we both fall silent.
There is no doubt Millie will feel the same. Austin coming back into her life is a sign they are meant to be together.
After all, they were high school sweethearts and lost their virginity to each other.
Then there’s the matter of my father’s approval. Dad loves Austin and admires his tenacity, not to mention his choice to study medicine. He’s always treated him with respect as if Austin were his son. I’m certain it’s the reason why he agreed to Austin’s proposal, even though Millie is still young.
It did, however, come with a stern string attached. They were not to get married if it interfered with their studying and graduating from college. That is—and will be for the next few years—the number one priority in Austin and Millie’s lives.
There are so many reasons as to why this is the right decision. Austin was always meant to be a part of our family, and this is the beginning of what will be a beautiful journey for them both.
Sure, the whole ‘Will’ saga dragged out longer than it should have, but they were never meant to be together. If they were, they wouldn’t have spent the last four years apart. I may not know anything about love, but I know if Will loved her, he would never have left or stayed away for so long.
“Austin,” I whisper, then raise my eyes until I’m locked in his unwavering stare. “It’s beautiful, and she’ll love it.”
“You think so?” he almost croaks. “It does look perfect on you.”
“I know so.”
Austin releases the breath he’s been holding to lean forward and place his lips on my cheek. Then, with a gracious smile, he pulls away to turn his attention back to the assistant.
“We’ll take it.”
One
Ava
Present
“What do you mean my appearance is canceled?”
My manager, Kris, stands beside me with a clipboard in hand and AirPods nestled into her ears. Her fingers type rapidly on the phone while her lips press together into a white slash. I cross my arms, impatiently waiting for an answer as the anger brews on the cusp of unleashing on everyone inside this very room.
Slowly, she lifts her gaze to the mirror to meet mine. “Courtney Rae is the new face for the event tonight.”
Upon my reflection in the mirror, my eyes widen with a cold stare. The vein on my forehead comes out of nowhere, prompting my makeup artist, Jonathan, to step away with fear.
My hands fall onto the dresser in front of me as I close my eyes, willing to control the anger bubbling to the surface. This event was planned a year ago, and it was no backyard job. Hosting the biggest party in Miami on New Year’s Eve will launch my business to the next level. Over fifty thousand people are attending the concert, big-name musicians performing, and endorsements were thrown at me to help promote. Everything I wear tonight, down to the blush on my cheeks, was strategically planned to advertise on my social media accounts.
This is how I’ve become a self-made millionaire, and now what? I’m replaced with only five hours’ notice? As the seconds pass, the animosity buries deeper within, and any rational thoughts are buried under the blinding rage consuming me.
I stand up in a rush, accidentally knocking a bottle of foundation onto the ground. With my hands on my hips, I glare at the team in front of me.
“I was booked a year ago. There’s a contract in place for me to host tonight’s event. Give me one reason why Courtney Rae is suddenly replacing me?”
Kris bows her head, shuffling her feet nervously. “She is… how should I say it, younger, but—”
“I’m aware she is nineteen,” I cut Kris off, momentarily beyond words. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“They want a young face for their social content,” Kris adds.
