33. Ava #2
My chest tightens at the sentiment, but I laugh it away. “I’m not so sure that’s still true. Speaking of party planning.” I straighten. “How does one plan for a party where her ex-boyfriend’s parents, who are also her husband’s parents, will be in attendance?”
“Awkward,” Lennox sings. “We should call Millie for this one. She’s good at awkward situations, considering her stepmother used to date her brother and her husband is best friends with her father.”
Hannah snorts. “That family is all sorts of special. I would love to be invited for family holidays one year.”
“You only want to go because you’re obsessed with Daniel Hall. Is it a mommy complex thing? You want to corrupt the youth and teach him all your devious ways?” Sara teases.
Hannah rolls her eyes. “Hall is pretty, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not teaching anyone anything.
And I’m not attending a family function with the boy.
If he were ever lucky enough to get near my pretty kitty, it’d be a one-time thing.
I’m not falling in love with anyone, let alone our best friend’s twin brother. ”
“Pretty kitty.” Sara practically wheezes with laughter. “I love that.”
I spin my chair and throw my body into it, trying my best not to freak out. My lunch with Tyler was good. Great really. But I’d be lying if I said I was excited about his birthday dinner tonight.
“Okay, ladies, our girl is spiraling,” Hannah says, rallying the troops.
I throw a foot down to stop my spinning and let out a sigh.
“Things are strained between Tyler and Xander’s mother on a good day.
And today will not be a good day. I’m not sure how I can make it any less awkward.
And if the woman makes a single negative comment in front of our kids, I will actually lose it. ”
Hannah’s entire demeanor softens. “Have I told you lately how proud I am of you and War? What you’re doing for those kids is nothing short of amazing.”
“It’s really not. We just love them.”
“And each other,” Sara adds.
I swallow past the lump in my throat. Sara is the only person in this room who doesn’t know about the marriage contract, and telling her now seems pointless. Though I’m not sure what’s going on between Tyler and me, it’s complicated and deep.
“Will Xander be there?” Hannah asks.
My heart stutters. Oh god, I hope not. I hadn’t even thought of that. “I don’t know.”
Lennox sits forward in her seat. “Have you heard from him?”
Yeah, I’ve heard from him. He texts nonstop.
But I haven’t told anyone. I’m embarrassed.
And if Tyler found out, he’d probably pay his stepbrother a visit.
The last thing Tyler needs while we’re working to adopt Josie is to end up in a fight with Xander, but if he knew what Xander was texting me, his fists would fly.
“He’s texted a few times.”
Hannah holds out her hand. “Give me.”
“What? No.” I push back my chair, as if that will stop my determined fixer.
“Ava Marie Warren, give me your damn phone, or I’ll tell Beckett you’re upset that he didn’t throw you an engagement party.
If I have to do that, we both know you’ll have the entire city of Boston offering you well wishes when he puts on a parade in honor of all the love matches he likes to take credit for. ”
Sara dissolves into a fit of giggles. Swiping at her eyes, she sucks in a breath. “He so would.”
Grumbling a few pretty curses, I take out my phone and hand it to Hannah.
With every text she reads, her face grows redder and more creative obscenities escape her. The girls pass it around, and when the device makes it back to me, I stare down at the messages, my stomach sinking.
Xander: What the fuck is this about you marrying my asshole stepbrother? Is this some kind of ploy to get me to apologize? Okay, fine. I’m sorry I left you there. But how the fuck are we supposed to get married and have kids if the guys my father works with think you play stupid games like this?
Xander: Ava, pick up your phone.
Xander. Call me.
Xander: The marriage is REAL?
Xander: You cunt. My mother says you really married the asshole. This is fucking insane.
Xander: Okay, you’ve made your point. Now pick up the goddamn phone so we can work this out.
Xander: Did you move in with the asshole? I just stopped by your place, and the doorman says you don’t live there anymore.
Xander: WHAT THE FUCK, AVA?
Xander: CALL ME.
Xander: Slut.
Eyes unfocused, I ignore the rest of the chain. He hasn’t stopped. The most recent came in an hour ago.
Xander: Having dinner with my parents and your asshole husband tonight? Nice. I seriously don’t know what the fuck happened to you.
He’s not wrong. I don’t recognize myself anymore either. But unlike him, I see the change as a positive thing. I’m so glad I’m no longer the woman I was when I thought Xander was a good guy and Tyler was the asshole. I truly had it all wrong back then.
Changing the subject, I say, “I need to get a birthday present for Tyler. What the heck do you get a guy who can buy himself anything he wants?”
Hannah’s lips curve up deviously. “Oh, hunny. The only thing that man wants from you is something he can’t buy.”
Sara giggles. “Yup. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do a little shopping this afternoon to make his gift look extra pretty.”
Lennox leans forward, a big smile on her face. “She means you. You’re the only gift your husband needs. And we’re going to make sure we give him something pretty to unwrap.”