“Great minds,” Ava whispered as she’d nuzzled my neck. “They think alike. Probably why I love you so much.”
I’d been stunned into silence. We’d never said that word before. I’d wanted to a thousand times, but couldn’t spit it out. She must’ve gotten sick of waiting.
Ava had flipped me onto my back, hands on my chest, her eyes locked on mine. “Too much? Want me to take it back and pretend like I didn’t say it? Because I can, but it’ll be a lie.”
I shook my head, spinning like a storm took hold of my brain. “No. Don’t take it back.”
“Good.” She’d kissed me, then hovered her mouth just above mine. “Anything to say, Ride or Die? No pressure or anything.”
I’d started to breathe harder, tongue tied. “I have a lot to say, but . . .”
“I know you do.” Ava smiled and settled over the top of me. “You have a lot to say, but you don’t always need words, Ryder. I get this.” She’d stroked a finger down the side of my head. “I get you. Great minds. I know you’re saying all kinds of mushy things in that head, right?”
I nodded and wrapped my palm around the back of her neck, tugging her closer. “So many.”
Then I’d kissed her, hard and deep and lasting. I’d never been a man blessed with sweet words, but I’d tried hard that night to show Ava Williams, I didn’t just love her—I’d fallen over the edge and cut the rope. I was never coming back over.
I take a pause, the smile organic and sincere as the passion of those moments flood back. We were young, only teenagers, but Ava wasn’t stretching the truth. She did get me then, and frankly, she gets me now.
She’s been patient, but also diabolical. The woman knows what she’s doing. She’s said all the things she knew I’d need to get me to ease up and not only see the strategic side of this project, but also the joy it’ll bring.
Now, I’m laughing as she stands in front of me, desperate to get me to see her side of things.
“No, no, seriously. Picture it,” Ava says, holding her hands up. When she gets like this, she’s animated and her eyes brighten like they’re made of fire trapped within glass.
I have a range of emotions I feel for Ava, but the fiercest truth is . . . I miss her.
I’ve missed her from the last day I saw her. And I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with that. We’re a decade older. Professionals. We walk different paths, in different lives. Then, there is the problem that her brother, the person she loves the most, despises me.
I glance at my cell phone and think of those two untouched voicemails on my phone. Both from Drake Williams.
I never wanted to listen to them.
Until now.
“Ryder.” Ava’s voice snaps my gaze away from my phone. She chuckles. “Are you listening? Don’t lie, I can see it if you lie.”
“No you can’t.”
One of her brows wiggles independently of the other. “You wish. You’re an open book.”
“I’m not a book, and if I were, I’d be one with a lock on it.”
She snorts. “To other people, maybe. To me? You’re like one of those pop-up children’s books I read to Charlie.”
I smile. “But you read those because you secretly love them.”
“Why do you need to sound all judgmental?”
“Did I sound judgmental? I was stating a fact.”
Ava huffs. “Look, I know they aren’t literature, but they’re the epitome of entertainment. Flaps, secret windows, pictures in 3-D. Come on.”
I help her stack a few more boxes, the question on the tip of my tongue until I finally break. “Charlie is . . .”
“Drake’s. Yes. Hence, my nephew.” Her mouth tightens and she stacks one of the smaller boxes with a bit more fire.
“And that makes you mad because . . .”
