I left the newspaper on the table and headed straight for the penthouse suite. As soon as I unlocked the door, the phone in the parlor room rang.
“Hello?” I answered.
“It’s me…” Ava said softly.
“I’m aware. How did you find out where I was staying?”
“Really?” She scoffed. “I need you to do me a favor…”
“Goodbye, Ava.”
“No, wait.” She sounded frantic. “I really am sorry for everything I did to you, Liam.”
“What did I tell you about calling me that?”
“I remember when you visited me when I was being held in jail—before all the hearings started…Remember?” She paused. “I know how hard seeing me must have been back then, how lonely you had to be to come and visit me of all people…You even told me you were contemplating changing your name to Andrew and leaving New York…And then I begged you to save me. Remember that?”
“I’m really not in the mood for story time right now.”
“You were such a softie back then…So compassionate, so caring—”
“Get to the f**king point, Ava.”
“At the trial this week, I know that Kevin—”
“I.e. my former best friend that you f**ked?”
“Yes.” She sighed. “Him…”
“What about him?”
“He’s not the monster you think he is.”
“Are you calling about a favor that’s never going to happen, or are you calling to be his f**king character witness? I’m confused.”
“He’s still sorry for what he did…He was—”
“Which one is it, Ava?” I snapped. “I’m not a fan of this vague shit.”
“Do you really want to hurt him?” Her voice softened. “I think you’ve already punished us enough. I’m already behind bars, so there’s really no need for him to suffer at this point. ”
“The two of you will never suffer enough.” I hung up and sent a text to an old contact I had at corrections, telling him that Ava had contraband in her cell.
The last thing I wanted to think about was my old partner and former best friend. The only time he needed to be thought of was during the upcoming hearing, and never again after that.
I scrolled through my text messages, noticing that Aubrey had sent me a simple “Okay” when I asked how today’s audition went.
With the exception of the day I massaged her shoulders, she was still being short with me.
I opened my inbox to send her a longer message, but I saw that she’d sent me one first.
Subject: Yes.
I just received your newest set of flowers and your note about going on a date tonight…I have a few stipulations, though.
—Aubrey
Subject: Re: Yes.