“No. And I shouldn’t care! I don’t want to care.”
“But you do.” Ella patted the space beside her.
Avery crawled up the mattress and curled against her pillows. “I’m being ridiculous. I should be relieved he’s forgotten about me. I saw him with those groupies, and I ran from everything his lifestyle represents, didn’t I?”
“You did,” Ella agreed.
“So why do I care that he decided I’m not worth it?”
“That’s not what he decided!” Ella exclaimed, shaking her head in frustration. “If I could wrap my hands around your father’s neck for all the insecurities he caused you, I would.”
Insecurities were probably an understatement, Avery thought. And truly, only her sister, mother, and brothers could completely relate to the belittlement they’d felt on discovering their father’s betrayal. They’d always believed their hotel magnate father, Robert Dare, was away from home, traveling extensively on business. And he’d always made up for what he didn’t provide in time and presence with gifts.
They’d thought he worked hard to support their family and had accepted his absence as routine. Until the day he’d informed their mother, Emma, that he not only had a mistress but another four children on the side. And one of those children, the youngest, Sienna, needed a bone marrow transplant in order to live, and he wanted his legitimate kids tested as potential donors. Bless her mother, she’d always been kind and caring and, despite her own pain, had agreed.
Avery had been the match, the child her father had used to save one in the family he’d devoted his time to. The family he clearly loved more than Avery’s. To say she’d felt used and abandoned was an understatement of extreme magnitude.
Ella pulled her in for a brief hug. “I’ve known you for a long time, and you’ve told me things your siblings don’t even know, right?”
Avery nodded. Ella had always been her safe place. Grey had too … once. She pushed the thought aside.
“Then trust me when I tell you, you can’t let the feelings of inadequacy your dad left you with rule your life. I know it didn’t help when Grey left you to find fame and fortune, and you’ve convinced yourself you’re not enough, not worthy. I’m here to remind you that you are.”
At her friend’s true and telling words, Avery trembled. As hard as she’d tried to overcome it all, some days, the inadequate feelings came rushing back.
Ella grasped Avery’s hands. “Mr. Tangled Royal would be lucky to have you in his life. Not the other way around.”
Avery blew out a deep breath, replaying her friend’s words in her mind. They helped. “You’re right. Dealing with Grey after all this time has made me feel like I’ve been abandoned all over again. Except it’s not the same. And I’ve moved on.”
Ella eyed her with amusement. “Now I don’t know if I’d go that far.”
Avery smacked her with the nearest pillow, and her friend laughed.
“But I would go so far as to say you’ve grown up a lot since you two saw each other last. With a little luck, so has he.”
Avery rolled her eyes. “Ever the optimist?”
Ella shrugged. “Can’t hurt to think positively, right? So if he does get in touch and he wants to see you, I think you owe it to yourself to meet up with him. Think closure, if nothing else.”
“When did you get so smart?” Avery asked.
“The day you became my best friend. Remember it’s easy to give advice to someone else about their love life.”
As open as Ella was with most things, she didn’t talk much about her own guy situation. She claimed there wasn’t anything to discuss, which made no sense, because Ella was pretty, sweet, and she outshined everyone around her. She deserved a great man in her life.
“Anything you want to talk about?” Avery asked, hoping for once her friend would open up.
“Nope. I actually have to get to work. I promised my boss I’d meet with a new photographer she’s considering hiring.” Ella was an assistant to an up-and-coming fashion designer based out of Miami. Another reason they were such good friends—they shared a love of clothes, makeup, and design.
“Okay, well, thanks for the talk,” Avery said.
“Any time.” Ella pushed herself off the bed just as Avery’s cell rang from across the room.
“Toss me the phone before you go?”
Ella grabbed the phone from beside the computer and squealed as she handed Avery the cell. “Looks like Mr. Tangled Royal surfaced.”
Avery’s eyes opened wide as she stared at Grey’s name on the screen.