—:—
“It was a beautiful wedding,” Ava said to Quinn when she and Mercer were thanking their guests for celebrating with them.
“I can’t believe you’re going to India,” said Penelope. “I’m so jealous.”
Ava remembered Quinn saying that she’d asked Mercer once if he’d take her there, and he’d answered that he’d take her everywhere. She wondered if India would be their only stop, or would they continue traveling? No one deserved a never-ending honeymoon more than Quinn did.
“I’m going to miss you so much,” Ava said, hugging her friend tightly.
“You keep Razor on his toes,” Quinn teased. “Seriously, though, I think the two of you are well-suited,” she whispered.
Ava rolled her eyes, but secretly, she wished it were so.
“Speak of the devil,” said Quinn, winking at Ava when Tabon approached them and stood right behind her.
“Got a minute?” he whispered.
“No.” Ava walked away from him and over to the sidewalk leading to where Mercer had parked Quinn’s Porsche. She stood with the rest of the guests as they fêted the couple with rose petals on their way out.
She turned back around and saw Tabon standing off to the side, studying her.
“What do you want?” she asked. “I thought I made myself clear earlier.”
“I have an offer to make you.”
Ava rolled her eyes and walked away, but he stayed on her heels.
“Just listen. This doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
She stopped and folded her arms in that way that practically pushed her boobs right out of her dress.
He took a deep breath, willing himself to look anywhere but there.
“I heard you and your sister were planning on spending a few more days in California.”
She nodded. “Pen and Tara are thinking about it too.”
“I’d like to offer you a place to stay.”
Ava laughed. “With you?”
“No, not exactly.”
“Explain yourself, then.”
Razor smiled. Damn, he liked this woman. “I have a place a couple of hours up the coast, in Cambria. It’s near where Doc’s family lives.”
Ava rolled her eyes.
“Wait,” he said, holding up his hand. “Hear me out. It’s a duplex. Each side sleeps six, although two of you would have to share a bedroom since there are only three.”
“Where would you be?”
“On the other side.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”