“Now, that’s the girl I raised,” he bemuses.

“Smart and an angel, right?”

“I don’t know about angel…you’ve had your moments.”

I throw an amused glance at him. “Don’t tarnish my reputation as an angel. Just admit it, Millie has been more of a headache than me.”

“You got me there, kid. Though Alexa is proving to be a very challenging daughter.” He chuckles softly. “Okay, listen. I need to meet Will.”

“Will is here?” I ask, unaware of his visit to the city. “I might see if he is free for dinner tonight.”

“Just text him,” Dad suggests, then rises from the chair. “Now, go to your meeting and make sure you show them who’s boss.”

“Always do, Dad.” I wink with a lopsided grin. “I’ve learned from the best.”

Will had a last-minute change of plans. A client he was supposed to meet for dinner came down with some infectious bug. When Will told me he could meet for dinner, I welcomed the chance to catch up with him since it has been a while since we saw each other last.

“My favorite brother-in-law,” I greet while leaning over to hug Will.

“What do you want?” He pulls away, scrutinizing me with his blue eyes. Just like Dad, he’s wearing a designer suit. Armani, again, of course. Like two peas in a billionaire pod. “You’re in trouble, aren’t you?”

I take a seat at the table, ignoring his stare while I place t

he napkin on my lap then motion for the waiter to serve us. I need wine—stat. This restaurant, Luciano’s, makes the best pasta in the city and is known for stocking vintage wine.

“What makes you think I’m in trouble?”

“Because you’re making my wife’s life hell by giving her the runaround and not answering her texts.”

The waiter stops at our table, and without even looking at the menu, I know exactly what I want. Will takes a moment, then orders a steak medium done. When the young man leaves, Will focuses his attention back onto me.

Pushing my shoulders back, I inhale deeply. “I’m trying to process things rather than get all dramatic. Let’s be honest here… when Millie and I are together, things can get out of control with our emotions.”

“Oh, you think?” he responds sarcastically. “The two of you on the phone is like listening to some overbearing soap opera.”

“Yes, see? I guess it’s why I’m trying to work through this rather than act irrationally.”

As I sit across from Will, the truth is still a hard pill to swallow. I’m scared to talk to Millie because the guilt would eat away at me. But, in reverse thinking, I have nothing to be guilty about, technically. Will and Millie are happily married with a son. It’s not like she’d be jealous. She has the love of her life, her soulmate.

Yet, it doesn’t make what happened with Austin and me less forbidden.

He is still, and forever will be—her ex-fiancé.

“What’s going on, Ava? This isn’t like you.”

“Olivier and I broke up.”

He nods, eyeing me. “I’m sorry. Amelia mentioned you guys had some issues.”

My eyes widen, suddenly annoyed at my sister. “Does she tell you everything?”

“No, and to be honest, most of the time, I’m not listening if it’s about girl drama.” Will purses his lips as the waiter arrives with a bottle of wine. When the wine is poured, we both take a long drink. “If that’s any consolation.”

“And I slept with someone,” I blurt out of nowhere despite my annoyance. “You know, rebound fuck. Not that I mentioned that to Dad this morning.”

“It’s probably best you don’t,” Will agrees. “So what? We’ve all done it. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

“I’m not that bad of a person, and it was just one night,” I admit, trying to convince myself once again.

Tags: Kat T. Masen The Forbidden Love Romance
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