The Trouble With Us: A Second Chance Love Triangle (The Forbidden Love 2)

When money is of no concern, the white lace is the most dangerous thing a broken heart can rely on. And that’s what mine did, for months on end, until a near-death accident which almost cost me my life.

These dark moments are forever engrained into me. Memories I cannot escape no matter how hard I try. Amelia has no idea that slowly, she is picking at a wound still unable to heal.

My desk phone rings, interrupting my lucid thoughts. It should be a blessing, but rather my patience wears thin with people demanding my attention.

“Yes,” I answer, closing my eyes.

“There is a Miss Edwards here to see you.”

My eyes spring open. I clear my throat, willing to gain some control of my emotions.

“Send her in.”

I adjust my tie before the door opens and Ava bounce’s through. My shoulders slump with a bitter smile following.

“What is with your receptionist?” Ava complains without a hello or greeting. “It’s like she’s part of the CIA, and you’re under protective guard.”

My lips curve upwards into a small smile. How uncanny of these two sisters to be so alike even though they don’t think so.

“Her name is Tabitha, and she is just doing her job.”

“I bet that’s not the only job she’s doing.”

Always right, Romano.

Ava takes a seat without me even offering. “You look disappointed to see me. Perhaps, Tabitha, is it, should be more accurate with which Edwards daughter is paying you a visit?”

I eye her dubiously, tilting my head to the side while waiting for her to give any sort of clue as to why she is visiting me. When it came to Ava, we rarely spoke and never hung out. She’ll always be the little girl who followed her older sister’s every move, even if it meant she was in danger. And also, the little girl who puked Twizzlers all over her bed because Amelia dared her to eat a whole packet in under thirty seconds. To this day, I still can’t even look at Twizzlers. I recall dry heaving while yelling for Charlie to clean it up.

However, I will admit she has grown into a beautiful woman. A striking resemblance to her father with the same eyes and shade of hair. Even her cheekbones look identical. Not that I pay attention to Lex’s face much, unless, of course, it was to try to read him when attempting to complete a business transaction.

“Tell me, Ava,” I say, sitting back in my chair. “What do I owe the pleasure?”

“Your dad's birthday is coming up.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose while clenching my jaw. “Don’t remind me.”

“As you may or may not know, my business has grown the past year. Who would have thought a social media platform could turn into such a lucrative business?” she asks, raising her chin with pride.

“Me, for starters. It’s how I founded this company. Online presence is everything.”

“Correct,” she answers, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “I’m expanding the business and have started a lifestyle brand. We are in the final stages before launch, and a client of mine has offered their Hamptons estate for me to shoot at.”

I nod politely. “Nice”

“So, I was thinking of having your dad's birthday there. What do you think?”

“You don’t need my permission,” I muse, wondering why she’s even asking me. “You should be speaking to my mother.”

“I did, she said perfect.”

My head flinches back slightly. “I don’t understand why you needed to see me then?”

“It’s next weekend.”

I let out a sigh, loosening my tie, which I’d only just tightened. “I’m in Hong Kong.”

Ava presses her lips into a fine line with a confrontational stance, followed by the fold of her arms beneath her chest.