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And why would Ava tell me I’m the father knowing full well it will tear her family apart?
But, I reacted prematurely and doubted her. It was wrong of me, yet all of it rendered me speechless. Never in my wildest dreams did I think she’d tell me such a thing when I saw her.
“Austin?” Lane calls, her hand gently falling on my arm. “Austin?”
I shake my head, then turn to look at her. “Sorry.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Uh, no. Not really.”
“Do you want to talk now? Or over dinner?”
I forgot she organized dinner at this restaurant a few blocks over. It wouldn’t be fair to continue this charade, not when I need to sort things out and process my thoughts.
“I need to take care of something.”
“Uh, sure.” Lane forces a smile, despite my cold tone. “Do what you need to do.”
Kissing her cheek, I distance myself quickly because the guilt begins to weigh on me. There’s no way I can continue my relationship with her. It just wouldn’t be fair.
But that wasn’t front and center on my mind.
Ava deserves an apology.
I acted like a fucking jerk earlier, and she shouldn’t have been in the firing line.
The easiest route to her apartment is via the subway. It’s late and not overly crowded. There are a few questionable people, but like always, I ignore them.
When I arrive at her apartment, Ava opens the door dressed in a white tank and pink boxers. As she stands in front of me with bare feet, her stature appears much shorter. I’m quite tall, but usually when I’m with her, she’s wearing heels.
Though, that isn’t what is catching my attention.
She’s obviously not wearing a bra, so I do my best to turn away, ignoring the slight stir in my pants. Now isn’t the time to start thinking with my dick.
Ava invites me in, motioning for me to take a seat on the sofa. Her penthouse is simplistic yet warm and cozy, with her scent lingering everywhere. It clouds my thoughts, but I take a deep breath and begin with an apology. My behavior was uncalled for, and I’m ashamed I took my anger out on her.
The famous saying ‘it takes two to tango’ couldn’t ring any more true.
We both played with fire to end up right here in Hell.
The more we speak, the more I see in her eyes just how terrified she is, thinking she will have to do this alone.
Then, there’s the matter of her family.
I’ve been around the Edwards enough to know it won’t go down well. Lex is highly protective of his daughters, Ava being his favorite, but Charlie will be understanding. She always is the person you can run to for anything.
As for Millie, I honestly don’t know. I suspect her husband will have more of an issue than her. And then I think, can I handle being back in that family? They weren’t an ordinary family, not when the patriarch is a billionaire who runs an empire.
In comparison, my family is super low-key. Dad is an architect, and Mom owns a furniture store. My oldest sister, Ivy, lives in Sacramento with her husband. My younger sister, Ella, is studying at Berkeley.
We meet for holidays if convenient for everyone but still keep in contact regularly.
I’m sure once I tell them, they’ll be more excited than disappointed. My parents are never ones to voice their opinions on our relationships. When Millie and I split, they expressed their apologies but didn’t involve themselves. They knew well enough to leave the situation alone. If anything, they were more worried about my studies.
I reassure Ava it will be okay because what else can I say? The last thing she needs is me projecting my fears onto her. Then, as she vents openly, her tank rises, and I see the swell of her stomach.
Fuck, this is going to happen.
