12. Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
Ava
Pulling up in front of Duncan’s house, I silence the engine and take a deep, shaky breath. I never thought I’d be in a situation like this or asking for this kind of help.
Especially from the one person I never meant to hurt but did. I hurt Duncan so badly.
Watching Fi and David dance together has my heart so full. The two people I love most in the world are now husband and wife. They’re practically glowing, and for a moment I envy them.
Turning my face back to the man in front of me, holding me in his arms, I smile. “Well, don’t you look ridiculously handsome in this tux.”
A tinge of pink touches Duncan’s face. And my smile grows a bit brighter at how adorable he is. Yesterday at the rehearsal dinner was the first time I’d seen him in a couple of years. The man standing in front of me is different from the boy I remember—yet still the same.
“In this old suit?” His eyes dance at me, and the sense of ease I’d always felt around Duncan fills me.
“You’re going to have women falling at your feet when you’re in Florida.” Duncan was just drafted into the NHL and will be playing for the Florida Panthers. “What do you think they’ll call themselves? Duncan’s Divas?”
“Did you just come up with that, or is it something you’ve been thinking about?” His green eyes twinkle. “Did you want to be the founding member?”
My eyes widen and laughter flies from my lips, causing people to turn and look at us. When my gaze lands on Duncan again; he' s smiling, and my stomach swoops.
I could count on one hand how many times I’ve seen this expression from him. It’s like finding a four-leaf clover. And when it happened in the past, I always felt special. That feeling hasn’t changed.
But today, it makes my heart skip a beat.
“I love you.” Duncan’s sudden confession has my heart racing and a sense of dread runs through me.
No…please don’t, I silently beg. My stomach swirls and my smile falls. “Duncan. I’m sure you—”
“I always have,” he continues, above the pounding in my ears, “I know I’m younger and David’s brother, but I feel like there’s always been a—”
The tips of my fingers gently cover his lips, needing to stop the flow of words falling from his mouth.
How can I tell him that he deserves someone amazing? Someone worthy of the heart he has? How do I do that without hurting him?
Too late. Before I can find the words, I see a deep pain swimming in his expressive green eyes. A heavy tightness takes over my chest, but I can’t find any words.
Then the music stops and a hardness comes over Duncan’s expression.
“Thank you for the dance,” he says coldly before walking away.
Watching his back, I know things will never be the same.
Staring ahead of me at the sun setting through the bare trees, I work to slow my pounding heart.
Since that moment, Duncan has been kind and courteous but always distant. And every time I see him, it stings. If he ever wanted an opportunity to get back at me for hurting him, now would be his chance.
I’m pretty sure that won’t be the case; he’s not petty and has never held a grudge. I’m sure that if he says no, it’s because he feels he needs to. But the fear of him saying no is daunting.
“Okay, A. It’s time to see if Duncan will pretend to be your boyfriend.”
Blowing out a deep breath. I work to slip into the confident version of myself; the one who learned that ‘no’ doesn’t really mean ‘no’. I didn’t become the famous rom-com movie star Ava Norris by stopping at my first no.
I can do this.
Before I can change my mind, I slide out of the car and walk up the steps to Duncan’s house. Once there I immediately knock, afraid I’ll lose my nerve if I think too much about what I’m doing.
The door swings open to a grumbling man wearing a pink apron that says, “Time To Make The Donuts.” A huge smile spreads across my face. I glance up to see Duncan’s surprised wide eyes and a pink flush creeping up his neck.
Chuckling, I point to his apron and watch him glance down. The flush turns a bright red.
“Scarlett got it for me,” he says shyly, a sheepish grin crawling across his lips. “She calls me Uncle ‘Dunkin Donuts’.”
My eyebrows shoot past my hairline as what he said sinks in, and I cover my mouth. Trying to keep the laughter from bubbling out. “Well, I’m pretty confident I’ve never seen someone wear pink so well before.”
To my surprise, Duncan laughs with me, and the sound sends tiny tingles to my toes. When his gaze lands back on mine, my breath catches. The air between us lights up. My eyes drop to his lips, and I notice his Adam’s apple bob.
Whipping my gaze back to Duncan’s, I feel heat creep up my face when I am caught, only to find heat filling his eyes. Warmth spreads across my belly in response, and my heart starts to pound.
I clear my throat and break eye contact. “I wanted to thank you for your help yesterday.”
“It was nothing, Ava.” Goosebumps cover my flesh as he says my name. “I’m glad I could help.”
“It wasn’t nothing, Duncan,” I whisper, overwhelmed by how out of control my life has become. “And now you’re caught up in the drama. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think this would happen when I broke up with Nathan.”
“Nathan has always been about what’s good for Nathan. You breaking up with him wasn’t good for him. I’m not surprised at his response.” He crosses his arms and leans against the door frame, putting his apron in focus once more, and I can’t help but chuckle again.
“Guess there were things that others saw that I didn’t.” When I meet his gaze this time, the guarded expression I’ve come to expect from Duncan is back. I push past the lump in my throat. “Anyway. Thank you.”
He nods stiffly, keeping his expression cool.
Rubbing my palms against my pants, I work to find the words to bring up the fake dating when I notice a black haze coming from the kitchen. “Is something burning?”
“Oh bugger!” Turning away, he runs back into the house. Crossing the threshold, I close the front door and follow him.
Walking through the hallway to get to the kitchen, pictures of David, Fiona, and Scarlett line the walls. There are a few photos of his family and his parents when he was young. His house has a cozy feel, and despite Duncan’s grumpy disposition, it fits.
He has always had a strong loyalty to everybody he cares about. It’s not surprising that it’s reflected here.
When I reach him, he’s pulling a cookie tray out of the oven and cursing. I know I shouldn’t make myself comfortable, but I’m shocked at what he’s baking. The apron led me to believe he liked to bake, but this, this I never would’ve guessed.
“Are those dog treats?” I ask, leaning around him for a better look at the adorable paws, bones, and fire hydrants that, although an unattractive shade of grey, are ridiculously delightful.
“I volunteer at the rescue and like to bring treats for the dogs,” he mumbles. “What can I say? Baking has always been something I’ve done to relieve stress.”
I can’t help but stare at him, my lips curving up at the corner. “I remember your mom used to love to bake.”
“Yeah, she taught me everything she knew.” He walks the treat tray to the trash and dumps the burnt biscuits in. “Whenever I visit her, we try out a new recipe. We’ve been working on dog treats to help Mile High Mutts Rescue fundraise. Obviously, it’s still a work in progress.”
I watch him as he brings the cookie tray back to the stove, doing everything to avoid looking at me.
“What would Tea Time think about this little tidbit?” He whips toward me, eyes wide. “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. But I’m pretty sure you’d have even more people curious about the ‘brooding yet irresistibly handsome goalie.’”
The look on his face is mortified, and a giggle escapes.
“Ava…” A warning tone escapes him, and he narrows his eyes.
“Your secret is safe with me,” I say, crossing my heart.
The corner of his lip lifts, and a tiny glint lights his eyes. Once again, I find myself wondering who this man is.
“So,” I say, clearing my throat and moving to the other side of the kitchen island to put some distance between the two of us. Being this close to him is doing strange things to my heart. “I had an interesting call from my agent today…”
I look down at the island and notice Duncan’s workspace filled with all things cookie and a bowl of treat dough. I start to play with one of the cookie cutters before pulling my gaze back to his.
The glint is gone from his eyes and his lips are tight. My stomach drops, and I watch him as he turns off the oven.
“I got a call from my agent Finn, too,” he says, his back still facing me. “I would love to be able to help you with this, Ava, truly, but I don’t think I can.”
“Oh,” I say, failing to keep the disappointment out of my voice. “I understand.”
He turns back to me, his gaze slamming into mine, and my stomach plummets.