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“Our honored guest is a chef, author, lifestyle blogger, and gastronomy influencer. Seriously, she has millions of followers. I mean, she’s kind of a big deal and finally able to join us here at McLeod and Smith Books. Please welcome Ava Wells!”
Ava’s cheering section, including myself, Violet, as well as Kamaya, Westin, Bree, and Maxwell, are the loudest in the room as she steps out behind the shelves in the back of the bookstore and joins the bookseller who will be conducting the Q&A.
“Quite the reception you’ve got here,” the host says.
Ava laughs and lifts the microphone to her mouth. “Yes, the overwhelming support I’ve received from family, friends, and my man has been incredible.”
Bree, sitting to my right, nudges me excitedly as she’s holding a hardcover copy of Ava’s cookbook.
The next hour goes by with Ava answering questions from the audience and speaking about her process in picking what recipes to include for the book.
She looks so strong after the horrible events a few months ago. I watch as Ava tugs the sleeve of her top, still insecure at the scars on her wrist that haven’t faded away completely.
These past few months have been a combination of starting anew in our relationship after the worst start and dealing with the stalker that turned out to be working for my father, and who was also responsible for Reid’s murder. Detectives later found that the same man’s fingerprints on Reid’s body were the same person who attacked Asher.
All these incidents at my father’s instruction to send me a message.
The only other bright spot in all this, other than Ava and I being together, was learning my real uncle was still alive. My father’s botched hit on his own brother did not go through thankfully. Since Jonathan had to wait to get his passport reissued, since his own brother stole his, Ava and I planned to see him later this week and have a meetup in London.
“Well, if we don’t have any more questions for Ava, than I’m going to ask everyone to form a single file line at the table right over here so you can get your books signed.”
Cheers ring out around the room. “Thanks, everyone,” Ava says, standing up and heading to the front row towards all of us.
“Avie, you were amazing,” Violet says.
“Thanks, Mom. I think they could hear you clapping in New Jersey,” Ava quips.
“I’m just so proud of you,” she says, hugging her daughter.
“Now that you’re marrying into the family, you’ll be making all of us the delicious recipes in here, right?” Bree asks, holding up her copy of Wellseasoned.
Ava chuckles. “Of course.”
“Make double portions for Westin,” Max calls out, who immediately gets elbowed by Westin.
“Don’t listen to him,” Westin says.
“Don’t listen to either of them,” Kamaya says, hugging Ava. “Since you’re family now, you’ll save me from joining that long line building up and sign my copy here.”
After Ava signs everyone’s book, I decide to cut in before someone else steals her attention away.
“Please give the future Mrs. Eastwood room to breathe,” I say, grabbing Ava around her waist.
“Hi,” she says, looking up at me.
“Hi, yourself,” I say back, gazing down at her. I will never tire of looking at her, and I consider myself damn lucky that I get to wake up and spend the rest of my life with this magnificent creature.
“I can’t believe so many people showed up today, especially after what happened the last time I was supposed to sign here.”
I take in the line of people purchasing her book and queuing for her signature. “I’m not surprised in the least. You deserve this after all you’ve been through. Besides, you work hard.”
Ava smiles up at me. “See, this is why I keep you around. You’re good for my ego.”
My hands lower from her waist to right above her ass. “That’s not all I’m good for.”
Ava playfully slaps me, but her attention is drawn away from me to the door that chimes. I turn to see who strolled in.
Asher has arrived in casual wear. Something I’ve haven’t seen him in ever since he started his own hedge fund firm.
