“Well, woman, is that a yes?” He looks so damn vulnerable, and I’m still so shocked that I forgot to say an actual yes.
“Yes. Of course. Yes.” I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him repeatedly. We’ve been together less than a month, but I’m sure of our love for each other. I’m sure that he’s the one I’ll need for the rest of our lives.
****
The next morning while Tobias is out to work and I’m washing the dishes from the breakfast I just made, my doorbell rings. I didn’t hear the gate and the security won’t let anyone in if they’re not approved. I walk to the door, and it’s Louisa. “Hey. I didn’t expect to see you today. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Are you watching television?”
“No. I don’t really watch television. Why? What’s going on?” She takes me into the living room to sit down on the sofa. “You’re freaking me out. What’s going on?
“Sorry. I just wanted to get this out there before you see it. Well, you know that shitty thing I mentioned about the rumors? I don’t want to freak you out, but she’s on TMZ telling everyone that she’s having Tobias’s baby, and that he threw her out pregnant and moved on with another woman. The pictures that your father sent of you two outside the restaurant are plastered over the news.” She rattles this all off in such a hurry that it takes me a minute to process what she’s saying.
“Oh my God. Are you fucking serious?”
“Yes and they leaked it that you didn’t run away from home. You went to trap a man, having met Tobias through his sister. It’s crazy, and I’m just making sure you’re okay.” I’m holding the tears back even though I want to cry and punch that crazy bitch in the face.
“I am fine. I need to see this video.” I watch the exclusive and of course they cover their ass, saying it’s all hearsay from the woman’s camp, but reporters will be invading the small town soon. She leaked the address. Not that it’s hard to find. His ranch I’m sure is listed as a business.
“Ava, Ava,” Tobias shouts my name frantically through the house.
Seeing Louisa, he doesn’t know whether to be angry or relieved. I hear the vehicles pulling up to the secured gate, buzzing it like crazy.
“You told her?” he asks Louisa angrily.
“I have to ask you, Tobias. I want an honest answer. Is there any truth to this?”
“No way in hell. I’ve never touched that woman—” I press my hand to his lips, stopping right there.
“I believe you.”
“You do?” he questions, looking so unbelievably confused.
“Yes. I do.”
He kisses me hard. “You are my fucking world, Ava.”
Now I brace myself for the onslaught. “Let’s address them.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am, Tobias. Let’s get the trash out of our lives.”
We step outside, and there are more security guys at the gate than I remembered. “I’ve beefed up security. Besides my friend’s firm there’s another one in town I called.” When they see us, questions come flying out of their mouths in a mad rush that I can’t make out over the noise.
Tobias gives them the shut the fuck up signal of his palm out. There’s still chatter, but it’s gotten a little lower. “Hello, calm down. I’m not saying shit until you act a little civilized. I don’t want you on my doorstep harassing me, so if you don’t act right, my guards will deal with the mess.” They calm down and wait. They’re like hungry sharks with a bait ball. “So as it stands, whatever her name has fabricated the story. She’s most definitely not carrying my baby. I’ve never touched her, and my lawyer will be contacting her with a defamation lawsuit.”
I tap his shoulder and whisper in his ear. “I need to say something.”
“Have at it, baby.”
“Hello, I’m Ava Henry. I’d also like to address the rumors that I came to seduce Tobias. We only just met when I arrived in Snow Ridge after I received help while sleeping in my car. According to reports, I skipped town with my father’s money. That’s a lie. I will come into a trust on my next birthday. None of which will belong to my father, but I ran from his home after he left me with a black eye and bruising. The teller at the bank knew I needed help but feared going to the police and led me to this town. She’s an amazingly wonderful person. I might add that the photos making TMZ’s page were given to him by my father’s investigators. See, he sent these to me.” I lift up the pictures I have and continue. “Proving he knew where to find me.”
“Are you and Tobias Reynolds an item?” One reporter asks.