Chapter 51Victor
Chapter Fifty-One
Victor
Laughter still lingers in the air, a sweet residue from the dessert we've all devoured. Plates are crumb-speckled and empty wine glasses sit proudly like trophies after a well-fought battle. Roman springs from his chair with a boyish grin, phone in hand.
"Alright, everyone squeeze in," he commands. "Gotta capture this."
He sets the timer and dashes back to the table, nearly knocking over his water glass as he slides into the gap next to me. The camera clicks, and we all hold our breath, hoping we don't blink or look away at the last second.
"Got it!" Roman's eyes confirm the victory before he even checks the photo .
Olivia's small voice cuts through the chatter. "Mom, can I watch some TV now?" She bats her eyelashes at Avery, who can't help but smile at her daughter's tactics.
"Sure, honey. But not too late, okay?"
"Thanks, Mom!" Olivia beams and hops off her chair.
Roman's head perks up at the mention of television. "Can I join her? Feels like a good time for some cartoons."
Avery arches an eyebrow, playful yet firm. "Roman, you've had enough screen time today. Those eyes need a rest."
"Ah, you're not wrong." He chuckles, hands raised in surrender. No one can say no to Avery, not even him. He settles back down, leaning into the warmth of friends and family, content without the glow of a TV screen. "I guess I gotta hang out with you boring adults then," he says and everyone laughs.
Sebastian leans back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Speaking of boring adults, how's that thrilling development project going, Victor? Still planning to bulldoze half of Worcester?"
I roll my eyes, knowing what's coming. "Very funny, Seb. You know it's more complicated than that."
Lawrence chimes in, grinning. "Oh yeah, super complicated. Let me guess, you're struggling to decide between beige or gray for the soulless corporate buildings? "
"Ha ha," I deadpan, but I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips. It's been a while since I've been on the receiving end of their ribbing. It feels... nice, actually. Like old times.
Roman turns to Avery, his expression mock-serious. "You know, Avery, we've figured out your game. Cozying up to our boy Victor here to get the inside scoop on your sworn enemy, eh?"
I tense slightly, worried how Avery might take this. But to my surprise, she plays along seamlessly.
"Oh, you've got me," Avery says dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "I'm actually a spy, sent to seduce Victor and learn all his evil developer secrets. My code name? Ice Queen."
The guys burst into laughter, and I find myself joining in, relief and warmth flooding through me. Avery's quick wit and easy manner with my friends is... unexpected. And incredibly appealing.
As the laughter dies down, I catch Avery's eye and she winks at me. I feel a flutter in my chest that I quickly try to squash.
"Didn't know you had it in you, Bennett," Roman says, eyebrows raised in mock surprise.
"Please," she replies with a roll of her eyes, "I deal with art critics and a ten-year-old on a daily basis. You guys are child's play."
A collective 'ouch' echoes as we all feign being wounded, and I can't help but let out a genuine laugh. My worry fades like the last crumbs of dessert; Avery's not just holding her own—she's thriving in the thick of it.
"So what's everyone doing for Christmas?" Willow ventures.
I glance at the guys, seeing shrugs and noncommittal murmurs. Sebastian's gaze meets mine, his expression telling me he's got no more plans than I do.
"Nothing solid here," I admit. "Was probably going to see if any local rinks needed an extra hand with the kids or something."
"Sounds about right for Mr. Scrooge," Roman teases, but the jab lacks its usual bite.
"Actually," Avery starts, a hesitance in her voice that has us all tuning in, "my place isn't much—it's definitely not this," she gestures around the room, "but you're all welcome to come spend Christmas in Worcester with me and Olivia."
"Really?" The word slips out before I can stop it, a mix of surprise and something warmer coloring my tone. To think of spending Christmas with Avery and her daughter, away from the cold expanse of my Boston apartment, stirs something deep within me.
"Sure," she says, meeting my gaze steadily. "It won't be fancy, but there'll be plenty of food, and I can promise at least one decent cup of coffee."
"Sounds perfect," I say quicker than intended, and from the looks passed among the rest of the group, they're thinking the same .
"Let's figure it out closer to the date, but count me in," Sebastian decides, breaking the brief silence that followed my eagerness.
"Same here," Roman chimes in, already pulling up his calendar on his phone. "Gotta check flight schedules, but I wouldn't miss it."
"Looks like it's settled then," Lawrence concludes with a nod, putting his arm around Willow. "Worcester for Christmas."
I can't tear my eyes away from Avery. Her kindness, her ability to set aside our differences, it hits me like a tidal wave. In this moment, watching her smile at my friends, extending an olive branch despite everything, I finally admit to myself what I've been trying to deny for weeks. I'm in love with her. Truly, deeply, irrevocably in love.
Roman clears his throat dramatically. "So, uh, speaking of figuring things out... any chance I can go watch some TV now?" He bats his eyelashes at Avery. "Pretty please?"
Avery laughs, the sound like music to my ears. "Alright, alright. Go on, you big kid."
"Yes!" Roman pumps his fist, jumping up from his chair. "Olivia, wait up! I challenge you to a Mario Kart rematch!"
As Roman's footsteps fade down the hall, Lawrence checks his watch. "Hate to cut this short, but Sebastian and I should get going. We've got flights to catch tonight."
"Already?" I ask, surprised at how quickly the evening has flown by.
Sebastian nods, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Unfortunately. Early meetings tomorrow."
As they start to gather their things, I can't help but wonder how I'm going to navigate these new feelings for Avery. It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
I stand up, feeling a mix of sadness and relief as the night comes to an end. "Thanks for coming, guys. It means a lot."
We move towards the door, and I watch as Avery says her goodbyes. She's got this warm, genuine smile that lights up her whole face.
"It was wonderful to meet you all," she says, shaking hands with Lawrence and Sebastian. "And Willow, thank you so much for coming. I hope we can get together again soon."
Willow pulls Avery into a quick hug. "Absolutely. Us girls have to stick together, right?"
Olivia and Roman come bounding over, both looking a little disappointed that the evening's winding down.
"Do you really have to go?" Olivia asks Roman, her lower lip jutting out in an adorable pout.
Roman kneels down to her level, his face serious. "I'm afraid so, kiddo. But hey, I've got a secret mission for you. "
Olivia's eyes widen. "What is it?"
"If you can keep your mom and Victor together," Roman stage-whispers, throwing a wink my way, "I bet we'll get to hang out a lot more. Think you can handle that?"
I feel my face heat up, but Avery just laughs, shaking her head at Roman's antics.
"Roman, behave," I mutter, but I can't help smiling.
"Look after her, will ya?" Roman points at me, then at Avery. His eyes gleam with mischief and something like brotherly concern.
"Always," I promise, more solemn than the moment calls for.
"Good man." He claps me on the shoulder and disappears behind the closing door.
The silence stretches awkwardly until Olivia yawns, stretching her arms above her head. "I'm sleepy, Mommy."
"Okay, sweetie." Avery's voice is a gentle lullaby as she kisses her daughter's forehead. "Off to bed."
"Night, night." Olivia turns and, to my surprise, wraps her arms around my waist. It's a quick, fierce hug, but it leaves a lasting warmth.
"Night, Liv," I manage, the words catching in my throat.
She trots off, her footsteps a soft patter against the hardwood floors until they fade away.
Now it's just Avery and me, alone in the dim light of the living room. Her eyes meet mine, and there's a spark there that wasn't there before tonight.
"Looks like we've got some cleaning up to do," she says, breaking the silence.
"Looks like." My heart hammers, but I follow her lead, picking up plates and cups, moving around each other in an easy dance.
"Hey," she pauses, her hand on my arm. "Thanks. For everything today."
"Anytime," I reply, meaning every word.