14. Ava
Chapter 14
Ava
Dressed in a smart gray suit and crisp white blouse for an important meeting I have today. A meeting that could propel me to the next level in the company. I’ve meticulously applied my makeup. Every strand of my golden blonde hair is combed into a high, slick ponytail, and on the outside, I look formidable and professional. As long as nobody cracks open the outer layer, nobody will be any wiser. Nobody will see what lies beneath.
A quick ride on the Tube brings me to my stop. I turn off the tablet that holds the details of the company I’m meeting today.
It isn’t only to stop thinking about Finn that I do this; I want to provide a wonderful life for Emmy. Because soon, when Stella wants to do her own thing, everything is going to change.
I could ask Finn for help when that day comes.
Finn’s been in Emmy’s life for a few days now and for those days I’ve chosen different times of the day to leave work, not taking the chance of bumping into him. But as much as I try, I can’t stop thinking about him.
Finn has visited Emmy more times than I expected him to. Stella says she explained he was a friend of ours. Emmy never asks for anything else. But I don’t know if my heart hurts because Emmy loves Finn so much and I can’t give her more of him, or if it hurts because he can’t give me more.
He won’t ever forgive you. Not when he finds out the truth.
I try to push thoughts of him out of my mind, but I can’t stop thinking of his face and the hurt I have caused him.
My desk phone rings out. I look at the clock.
“Are you free for five minutes?”
“Yeah, is everything okay?” I ask. But the phone has already disconnected.
I rise from my seat and walk to Charlie’s desk, narrowing my eyes the moment I see her.
She tilts her head to one side, and I turn back to my office.
Charlie follows me to my office with two cups of steaming coffee as she gives me the rundown on her recent date and what went down over the weekend.
“I like him, but I’m a bit scared of being alone with him,” she whispers as she covers the highlights of their date. I close my eyes and imagine her description of a man like Chris Hemsworth with tattoos.
“Then he isn’t the right man for you. Don’t push something that shouldn’t be pushed. It’ll feel right one day, and then you’ll be able to let yourself go,” I say.
She nods, taking a seat and handing me a mug as I sit behind my desk. “So, what’s the gossip?”
“No gossip,” I say with a grin. “Work is good. I’ve been given a new case for a UK investment company. That should be fun and may involve some travel.”
“And...”
“Life is ticking along. Nothing major.”
“Jameson Sterling?” She doesn’t say anything else. I narrow my eyes as I wonder what she means.
“Nothing to say.”
She pulls a picture she has under her arm and hands it to me. I glance over at the picture.
Jameson Sterling and his British partner, lawyer Ava Miller, announce their engagement.
Rage boils my blood. “What the hell is wrong with him?”
“He doesn’t want to lose...” she says in a low tone that makes me look up, but she stops the moment she sees the frown on my face.
“Yes, he doesn’t want to lose. Full stop, nothing else.”
My blood is roaring through my veins. I’m so annoyed with Jameson, and finding reporters at the exit of the building before I leave for home is the final straw.
It’s over—I won’t share a coffee with him, a phone call with him—certainly not my life with him.
I’m over him.
Over Finn.
I glance at my watch as I stroll onto the Tube. I just want to get home. I’ve been working too hard lately, doing anything that stops me from going home when I know Finn is there with Emmy.
By the time I walk from the Tube station to my home, I’m desperate for a cuddle and my bed. My eyes are nearly closing through sheer tiredness.
Trudging to the front door and pushing it open, I’m about to kick off my shoes but see Emmy waiting on the bottom stair. Her face is down and dejected, her eyes full of sadness.
“Finn didn’t come today, Mommy,” she says, holding her arms out and wanting a cuddle. I pick her up, and her head drops on my shoulder; she snuggles her nose into my neck. “Does he not like me anymore?”
“Of course he does, sweetpea. He must have a good reason.”
Though I already know. I’m so annoyed with Finn. He pleaded to be part of his daughter’s life, waited until she really cared for him and then let her down.