AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ava’s movements during our shower were very thorough, and we nearly lost all track of time before having to meet with Asher. Realizing the restaurant is only a few steps away from Ava’s apartment, I suggest we take the subway.
“You’re nervous,” Ava says as we’re making our way to the nearest subway stop.
The restaurant for today’s lunch with Asher is located in a central spot between Ava’s apartment and Asher’s downtown office. I haven’t actually been around Asher since Ava and I started fucking, and now I don’t know how I’ll look my friend in the eye. It’s an irrational fear, but part of me feels like he’ll take one look at me and know I’ve been tupping his younger sister, whose body I swore to guard but not quite so literally.
“Just running late is all,” I say, tucking her closer to my side as we wait behind the yellow line on the platform. There haven’t been any recent threats against Ava, but I won’t feel safe until Reid is convicted and secured behind bars.
After riding two stops to Lafayette, we make quick work of heading into Bartholomew’s. I’d eaten here a few times with Asher in the past, not realizing this was Ava’s favorite restaurant in the city.
Now, I’d think of it as Ava’s place until she opened up her own restaurant one day.
I step alongside Ava, still tucked under my arm, to the hostess’s podium and I overhear her saying that Asher has already arrived. We begin following the host towards the side of the restaurant by the large windows facing Spring Street, when it suddenly dawns on me that I still have an arm wrapped around Ava.
I quickly let her go, praying that Asher didn’t see how his sister and I were clasped.
Ava gives me a curious look at the loss of contact but doesn’t say anything because we are now at the booth. Thankfully, Asher’s back was to us and he didn’t see Ava and I arriving.
“Your server will be right with you,” the host says, depositing our menus and returning to her stand.
After Asher hugs Ava and I hello, Ava sits opposite her brother, scooting in to the edge and leaving a space for me to sit next to her. I reluctantly take a seat next to Ava.
Not because I don’t want to, but the narrow booths are too intimate, and as soon as I’m seated across from Asher, I feel Ava’s thigh flush against mine.
Now I’m forced to try ignoring the feel of her softness and sweet scent for the rest of our meal.
“Good to see you, Ash. How’s Maddy and Lola?”
Asher smiles before answering as he always does whenever he’s asked about his wife and daughter. I’d never felt any envy over my friend’s family before, but now I questioned if I would ever have my own family.
“Everyone is well, and Lola certainly looks forward to the next time you visit, but I know you’ll be even busier with the cookbook coming out.”
Ava takes a sip of water the server deposited on our table. “Busy is an understatement. I don’t even have Sierra anymore to help me.”
“What happened?” Asher asks looking between his sister and me, and Ava begins advising him of Sierra and Reid’s involvement.
While Ava speaks, her hands gesticulate excitedly, grazing my arm in the process. Though her touch would never bother me, I see Asher’s gaze narrow when Ava’s small hand wraps around my wrist.
“Enough about me. Did Brandon tell you that Jonathan is in town?”
Ava must realize where her hand is placed because she quickly removes it and allows me to speak.
I relay to Asher the strange meeting with Jonathan as well as the calls I’ve received from my father, though he already knows that’s not a relationship that can ever be repaired.
“Are we ready to order?” our server asks, absently playing with the burgundy tie that matches the theme of the old restaurant.
“Few more minutes,” Asher advises, and once it’s the three of us again, his expression sobers.
“I’ve fired Reid from Wells Investment. I know he posted bail yesterday, but I thought you should know that he won’t be a nuisance in either of our lives anymore.”
I observe Ava’s reaction. Yesterday, when I got the text from Bree letting me know he was released and currently awaiting trial, Ava only nodded in acknowledgement at my news but nothing else.
“I’m glad,” she says, playing with the tennis bracelet on her wrist. “I’ll be happy when this entire nightmare is behind me.”
Asher turns his attention to me. There’s an expression I’m not quite used to seeing from him. “What about you, Bran? I’m sure you’re ready to move on. I don’t know you to stick to any one thing.”
Asher levels a stare at me, and I get the distinct feeling that he’s not just talking about my work but how feeling confined to any one place, assignment, or even woman usually has me heading to the exit like there’s fire under my feet.
“I’ll be here for Ava as long as she needs me. I’ve got a great team that can run the firm without my constant presence.”
