Chapter 23
Ava
“HE CAME!” Ollie hollers from down the hall.
I jolt awake, ready to jump out of bed, when one massive arm bands around my waist possessively like someone might steal me if he loosens his grip for five seconds.
“I was just going to check out the commotion.”
The burly lumberjack smiles and cracks open an eye. “Relax. Just the kids finding a body.”
“What?”
“I believe someone got Snooki an enormous life-size unicorn.”
I smile wide. “You brought my gifts? All of them?”
“No. Hannah and Zac brought all the gifts. Including some insane pinball machine that practically requires a forklift.”
I bury my face in the pillow laughing as another shriek ricochets through the penthouse.
“THERE’S A TREE!”
Harrison’s eyes snap wide. “There’s a what?”
I turn in his arms. “I had to do something while you were out skulking through LA at all hours of the morning.”
Tiny feet thunder down the hallway.
Followed by:
Bang-bang-bang-bang-bang.
“WAKE UP!” The doorknob rattles as Snooki shouts.
Harrison tosses me a flannel top before yanking on matching pajama pants and a t-shirt. We dress in a rush.
Finally, before the doorknob gets ripped clean off the door, he opens it.
He pretends he’s half asleep, rubbing his eyes. “What’s happening?”
Ollie barrels in behind her Snooki, pushing at Harrison’s back with all his might.
“SANTA FOUND US!”
“Who?” He teases groggily. He turns to me. “You heard of some Santa fellow?”
I shrug. “Nope.”
Snooki and Ollie each grab his hands. “You have to see!”
The two of them dragging Harrison down the hallway is equal parts Christmas magic and hostage situation.
Harrison allows this, of course, because the big grizzly bear secretly loves it.
Is there anything more intoxicating than an amazing dad on Christmas morning?
Because I’m totally addicted.
Connor hangs back. Wearing plaid shorts and a t-shirt, bare feet on the marble tile, the poor kid is shivering.
It’s probably all he packed.
“Let me guess… you thought California would be warmer?”
“Yeah.” He gives me a sheepish look, rubbing the back of his neck. “There are, like, zero girls in bikinis anywhere.” He rolls his eyes. “Movies totally lie.”
I laugh and hand him the plush hotel robe and matching slippers. “That they do.”
“Thanks,” he mutters, swallowed up by the oversized robe.
But instead of racing after the others, Connor lingers by the bed staring at his feet.
Like he wants to say something and doesn’t know how.
My stomach tightens a little.
I’ve talked to him every day, sometimes twice a day, for weeks. Connor’s usually an open book. I’ve never seen him at a loss for words.
I wonder if it’s about a girl.
I pat the end of the bed. “Come sit, mi hijo. What’s on your mind?”
“Does Dad know?”
The question catches me off guard. “Know what?”
Connor hesitates before handing me his phone.
Oh, shit.
An entertainment article fills the screen, my ex-manager quoted front and center.
Princess Luna star Ava Alvarez heading to Iceland for three months to film the next installment of the blockbuster fantasy franchise.
And because apparently she’s determined to ruin my life, she adds:
Rumors of a reconciliation with Hollywood bad boy Pierce Maddox have already started buzzing around set.
My chest drops straight to my stomach.
Sadness flickers across Connor’s expression so fast I almost miss it.
“You can’t believe everything you read,” I assure him, patting his hand.
“You’re not really leaving?”
God.
I wasn’t ready for this yet.
Not this conversation.
Not on Christmas morning.
But that’s the thing about kids.
Once the cat’s out of the bag, there’s no shoving it back in.
“I’m not getting back with Pierce. I love your father.”
He waits for the other shoe to drop.
“Yes, I have a commitment in Iceland. But the dates and schedules haven’t been determined yet and…” (some small action beat). “It won’t be forever,” I promise softly. “And we’ll still FaceTime.” I lift his chin so his eyes meet mine. “We will work this out.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
“Ava! Come see your gift!” Ollie shouts.
We both stand and head for the door. Connor turns to me. “Does dad know?”
I shake my head. “I was waiting until after Christmas to tell him.”
He gives me a big hug. The biggest. “Then your secret’s safe with me.”