“What is it?”
“I’d rather not say.”
“C’mon, Ava. It’s me, plus I’m trained in medicine, so if there’s anything I can do…”
“I’m not comfortable discussing this with you.”
Now, she has me worried, and my brain starts to conjure up all these scenarios. I’m not a specialist in prenatal care, but I know enough to diagnose if something is incorrect.
“Don’t give me that worried look,” she’s quick to accuse me, playing with the ends of her dark brown hair. “It’s not like that.”
“If it’s not a big deal, then just tell me?”
Ava releases a groan, then crosses her arms. “Fine, you asked. I’m horny all the fucking time.”
I bite my lip, wishing I didn’t push so hard. At the same time, my dick stirs in my pants. Fuck, don’t go there. For the love of God, don’t go there.
My throat makes an unflattering raspy sound. “Okay, so I didn’t see that coming.”
“Yes, well, there it is. The truth. Now, if we can go back to talking about anything else, I’d greatly appreciate it.”
Yes, we need to talk about something else, pronto…
“So, your dad mentioning LA?”
“I’m sorry, that caught me off guard.”
“You honestly haven’t thought about it?” I question, grateful my dick has calmed down enough so I can think straight again.
“Our lives are here. It’s a big decision.”
“It is, but it’s not just about us anymore,” I remind her.
“I guess, maybe in a way, it would be easier with my family. But I don’t want it to disrupt your life. You already gave up, Lane.”
Ava has this weird obsession with Lane. Her name comes up regularly, even though I’ve ended things. I don’t understand why Ava can’t understand that and let it go, especially since I have.
“Breaking up with Lane was the right thing to do,” I assure her, not regretting my actions though, at work, it is awkward whenever I am in the same room as Lane now. “It’s not giving up something when it was never right, to begin with.”
Ava curls her lip. Then her shoulders push back with a stare challenging me.
“But how do you know?” Ava persists with her questions. “How do you know she’s not the love of your life?”
“Because if she were, I wouldn’t have done it so easily.”
“But you’ll date again someday, right?”
“It’s not something I think about, Ava.”
“You’re a man.” She points out with a slight eye roll. “A man who has needs.”
Deliberately raising my brows, I cock my head with a smirk. “Believe it or not, I’m rather proficient in taking care of that situation. I have been since I was fifteen, maybe?”
Ava shakes her head with a grin, then throws her hands on her face. “You should go before I maul you.”
My hand continues to rub her leg, inching closer to the edge of her dress. Her skin is soft with an intoxicating vanilla scent, luring me in like an animal in the wild. I bite my lip, begging myself not to succumb, but then I think, who fucking cares? Who has to know besides us?
“Ava, I’m here if you need me. And I mean in any way you need me.”