AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?”Fuck. “I mean, that’s great.” I laugh like a dickhead. “You didn’t waste any time, did you?” They must have left Cornwall at the crack of dawn.
“Strike while the iron’s hot,” she says.
Or turn up and try to catch me...what? Drunk? Punching Matt? “Where are you staying?” I ask.
“The St. James’s Hotel and Club.”
“Nice.”
“So, your address? We’ll head over now.”
Oh Jesus, this is not ideal. “Actually, I was heading out for a run shortly. I’ll be around the royal parks—seems crazy not to meet up.”
“And Ava?”
I look at the door. “She has some work stuff to catch up on.” I slap my forehead with my palm. “Truth is, Mrs. O’Shea, I was hoping to meet you and your husband before I tell Ava you’re here.”
“Why?”
Lord, she’s hard work. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
She gasps. “My God, she’s pregnant, isn’t she? That’s why she’s moved in.”
I balk. “God, no.” Someone slap me. Dan’s obviously spoken to his parents about Ava’s living arrangements.Fucker. “Would you mind? Meeting? I’m sure you’ve got plenty you want to know about me, and I know it’ll make Ava uncomfortable if you’re firing your questions at me while she’s there.”
She laughs. “God, you do know her well.”
I smile. That feels good. “About an hour?”
“Call me when you’re nearby.”
“Thank you.” I disconnect the call and stare at the wall. It really is quite bland. Needs...something. I tilt my head. Look down at my phone, thumbing through the pictures. All Ava. I smile, put Ava’s dying phone on charge, and head up to the bedroom. I find her dressed. For work?Shit.She looks at me in the reflection of the mirror briefly before going back to applying her makeup. “Where are you going?” I ask, nervous.
“I’m going to work.”
“No, you’re not.” I flinch.Dickhead.
“Yes,” she counters, calm and collected. Determined. “I am.” She brushes at her cheeks, and I don’t miss the slight jar of her body as she stands tall again. Her back hurts. Another reason for her to stay home. But she would never admit she’s uncomfortable.
“How’s your back?”
“Sore.”
I sink my teeth into my lip, searching for the words. God damn it, Amalie leads to my parents, my parents lead to Jake, Jake leads to Carmichael, Carmichael leads to Rosie...
I can’t tell her about Amalie without turning out the whole dirty story.
“Where’s my phone?” Ava asks, looking at me for an answer, her head slightly tilted.
“It’s charging in my office.”
“Thank you.” Collecting her bag, she leaves, and her walking out on me feels so much worse than telling Ava about Amalie. I rush forward and jump in front of the doorway, blocking her escape, and she gasps, stepping back, looking up at me. I can see her body bracing to be manhandled.
“Let’s talk,” I blurt. “Please, don’t go. I’ll talk.”
She can’t hide her surprise. “You want to talk?”
Yes, and I’m as surprised as you.“Well, I can’t fuck any sense into you,” I say, moody. “So I guess I’ll have totalksome into you.”
