25. Ava
Ava
It’s been a few days since Nick and I came to an understanding.
Nothing is official, and that’s okay. I don’t need a grand gesture.
We’re kind of doing this all out of order.
I can wait. I want to see how things go.
I would rather we be friends if it turns out we’re not meant to be anything more.
That means we take things slow. We ease into this partnership.
For now, I’m staying at the job. I’m not a quitter, and I need the money. Yes, I know Nick is going to want to shower me with money and all the things, but I want to hold onto my independence.
That means dealing with the side eyes and gossip.
Screw ‘em.
I grab the ginger tea from my desk that has become my crutch. The crackers and ginger ale didn’t work, but Amelia’s ginger tea trick has been a lifesaver.
I leave my office and head for the break room to get some hot water.
I’m standing by the counter, stirring a cup of tea when I hear footsteps. My pregnancy hormones and enhanced olfactory sense tells me who it is before I see her. A feeling of dread washes over me.
She’s the last person I want to see.
But the moment I hear the click of heels on the tile floor, I know my peace is about to be shattered. She’s coming in.
Sierra.
She walks in, her sharp eyes locking onto me like a predator spotting its prey. I brace myself. I’m not backing down.
“So, you think you’ve won, huh?” She’s practically seething with fury.
I don’t respond, keeping my eyes on my tea. Maybe if I ignore her, she’ll go away.
But Sierra doesn’t take the hint. She steps closer, her hands going to her hips in the typical stance of someone about to unleash holy hell. I’m the one on the receiving end.
Her lips curl into a sneer. “You think having Nick’s baby is going to make him stay with you? Think again. He’s not the kind of man who settles down. You may have won a meal ticket, but you’ll never win the man.”
I feel a surge of anger. I’ve had enough of her constant harassment, her snide comments, her endless attempts to make me feel small.
“You know what, Sierra? I’m done with your crap. I don’t care what you think about me or Nick. This is my life, and I’m not going to let you ruin it. So back off. It’s none of your damn business what he and I are or are not.”
It’s about time she knows I’m not going to crumble. She opens her mouth, probably to hurl more venom my way, but I cut her off before she has the chance.
“This is a workplace,” I say sharply. “So maybe keep it professional for once?”
She stands there, looking like she might explode. Her face goes red, and I can’t help but think of a cartoon character whose head blows off in a puff of smoke.
“I’m not the one fucking the boss,” she snaps.
“Not anymore,” I shoot back.
Her eyes widen. I can’t believe how good this feels. Maybe I was always meant to be a mean girl.
“You’re going to regret this,” she hisses. “I’m not going to let you take everything from me.”
“I can’t take what you don’t have,” I reply.
“I’m warning you to back off,” she says. “He’s going to come back to me. He will always come back to me. Look at you; you’re … you. He’s angry with me, but he always comes back. Did you know that? Did you know we have a very casual thing? Do you really think you’re the only one he’s with?”
She’s getting to me. I can’t let her see any weakness. No daylight between me and Nick. But dammit, is she lying or is it true? I understand how hard it is to really quit a relationship. Hell, Ethan is a shining example of that.
But I’m not backing down.
“Sierra, congratulations. You had an amazing man, and you cheated on him. Don’t be mad at me for your mistakes.”
She looks like she might hit me.
I smile.
“I’m going to make your life hell,” she growls. “You’ve fucked with the wrong woman.”
Before I can respond, Nick walks in. He takes one look at the situation and immediately steps between us, his expression dark.
“What’s going on here?” he asks.
Sierra glares at him, but she doesn’t back down. “Nothing. Just having a little chat with your baby mama. Since when did you make such stupid mistakes?”
“Back off, Sierra. This is your last warning. You’ve got no problem with Ava. Your issue is with me—not her.”
She stares at him for a long moment, her expression a mix of anger and disbelief. But then she steps back, her lips curling into a cruel smile.
“Fine,” she says, her voice cold. “But this isn’t over.”
She storms out of the break room, leaving Nick and me alone.
I look at him, surprised by his sudden defense of me. “Thank you,” I say quietly.
He nods, his expression softening. “I protect my own.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I feel a surge of emotions—relief, gratitude, and something else I can’t quite name. I’ve never really been taken care of. Not like that.
“What was she pissed about?” he asks.
“I’m breathing,” I mutter.
He chuckles. “Sorry.”
“She’s like a vulture. She’s just hoping to pick the flesh from my body. Is she dangerous?”
“No.”
“Nick, I’m going to ask you this one time,” I say. “Technically, I suppose it’s a second time. Are you and Sierra in a yo-yo relationship? If you are, I understand. You have history, but please just be straight with me.”
“Ava, no. I have not touched her since the day before I left town and returned to find her in bed with someone else. She’s tried, but it’s never going to happen. She’s just messing with you. Don’t believe her bullshit.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. I believe him. “Okay. Next time, I’ll ignore her stupid accusations.”
He rubs my upper arm. “Drinking the tea?”
I smile. “Yes.”
“Puking this morning?”
I laugh and shake my head. Talking about puking isn’t exactly sexy. “Not yet. The tea seems to work, but I have to keep a steady stream.”
“I’m so sorry you’re going through this. If I could do it for you, I would.”
“I appreciate that. I’m learning to manage it. What brings you down here?”
“I was hoping I could take you to lunch.”
I raise an eyebrow. “A lunch date? Isn’t that a bit risky? People are already talking.”
He grins, a teasing look in his eye. “We can call it a business meeting.”
“We could, but we’d both be lying.”
He chuckles. “A long and very strategic business meeting?”
I can’t help but smile. “Just let me grab my purse. We’ll give them something to talk about.”
The thought of parading back past Sierra with Nick makes me giddy.
He follows me back to my office. The looks in the office were hilarious.
After a week of gossip and speculation, we’re pretty much confirming the rumors.
But now they’re going to have to change up the stories.
They were all convinced it was a hit and run.
He dropped his sperm and went on his merry way.
I smile and raise my chin. I’m not a quitter. Let them gossip. Eat your hearts out. I got the man and the job.
I imagine Sierra in her office, steam practically pouring out of her ears when she hears we're going to lunch. Nick looks at me, his smile making my heart flip.
“Ready?” he asks.
“Let’s do this,” I whisper, more to myself than him.
We walk out of my office. It feels like we’re stepping onto a stage. He walks confidently ahead of me, and I can see the heads starting to turn—Margie by the copier freezes mid-staple, Tyler nearly spills his coffee—all eyes locking on us like we’re the latest episode in their favorite TV drama.
Nick doesn’t break stride as he pauses just long enough for me to catch up. Then he does something bold, something audaciously perfect—he puts his hand on my back, steering me towards the exit like he’s claiming me right there in front of everyone.
I hear a collective gasp ripple through the office. It's delicious.
I chance a look around and see the looks of jealousy from a few and others were smiling. Nick leans closer and murmurs in my ear, “Think they’ve got enough to talk about?”
I bite back a laugh as we walk to the elevator.
“Maybe we should kiss,” he whispers.
“No!” I laugh. “I’m the one that has to work in that office. You’ll be going back to your top floor office or wherever it is you jet off to.”
We step into the elevator, and before the doors even close, Nick turns and pulls me into a kiss. I giggle against his mouth, surprised and breathless. It’s sweet and hungry at the same time—the kind of kiss that makes my head spin and everything else disappear.
He finally pulls back, his eyes locked on mine, a wicked grin on his face. “Still think it’s too much for the office to handle?”
“It’s too much for me to handle,” I reply, heat rising in my cheeks.
He laughs. “Good.”
The elevator dings open on the ground floor. Nick takes my hand like it’s the most natural thing in the world. We head down the street to this little café we’ve been to before.
I order a grilled cheese and soup, keeping things light.
“Is your mom still trying to plan our fake wedding?” I ask with a laugh.
“I told her we were going to elope if she didn’t stop asking me questions.”
“When are we announcing our big breakup?” I ask.
He sighs. “I don’t know. I think the baby might complicate the situation.”
“Well, they’re in Texas, so they won’t know.”
In the back of my mind, I think I’m fishing for some kind of commitment. I remind myself that’s not what I want right now. I want to get to know the man.
“I want them to know,” he says. “Soon.”
“Don’t worry about it right now,” I tell him. “I think we’ve got time.”
Our meals are delivered. I take a tentative bite of the sandwich. I hear my phone vibrating in my purse, and I quickly pull it out.
The screen lights up with an unknown number, but I know exactly who it is. My stomach twists.
“Who is it?” Nick asks, putting his sandwich down.
“It’s no one,” I say too quickly, trying to send the call to voicemail. The phone vibrates with another text: Why aren’t you answering?
“Ethan?”
“Yeah,” I admit softly, feeling caught.
“Who is this guy?” he asks.
“Nick, it’s nothing. He’s just being annoying. I’m handling it.”
“You shouldn’t have to handle it. What’s this guy’s deal?”
I sigh and slump back in my seat. “It’s like this every few days. He calls from a new number, texts me if I don’t answer. I’ve told him to stop. I moved here to get away from him. He’s just obnoxious.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to drag you into it,” I say. “I want him out of my life.”
“You’re not dragging me into anything—I’m already in this with you. Who is this guy? I’ll talk to him. I’ll make him back off.”
“It’s fine,” I insist. “He’ll get the hint eventually.”
“You don’t believe that. You can tell me, or I’ll talk to Jessie about it. He’ll tell me. And then I’ll handle it.”
I sigh. “He’s an ex. He lives in LA. That’s it. He’s nothing. Please, just drop it. I’m ignoring him.”
“Ava.”
“Nick, please. Just let it go. If you go after him, it might make him angry.”
He gives me a look but says nothing. I have a feeling he’s not going to drop it.
Secretly, maybe I don’t want him to. But there’s that strong, independent side of me that doesn’t want to need rescuing.