Chapter 26
AVA
As soon as the door closed, I fanned my face.
Lincoln was just too much, in the best way.
I enjoyed myself way too much with him. Sighing, I fished in my bag for my phone.
I’d been reluctant to call my boss with news of a potential story, but it was time.
After a few chats with Alex, who took time out of his vacation to work his magic, I had concrete proof about something shady going on in the music industry.
I took a deep breath and sat on the edge of the bed. My finger hovered over Allan’s name for a moment before I pressed it.
He answered on the third ring. “Ava, how’s it going? I trust the feature is wrapping up nicely.”
“It is.” I couldn't tell him where I was working on the feature from, but it really was wrapping up perfectly.
“Good. Good. Do you need something?”
“Erm…” God, I was about to chicken out. What if he laughed and told me to get my ass home?
Be brave. Be bold.
“Yes, I do need something.”
“What’s that, Montgomery?”
“The go-ahead to work on another story. After Jaden’s feature is complete, of course.”
After a beat, he asked, “What, did you get wind of some epic gossip out there?”
The reminder of where I’d been stuck for years made me grit my teeth. “No. Something serious.”
“Do tell.”
“I’ve got a lead on a huge story. I’m talking drugs, coercion, crappy record contracts… You name it. It involves some big names. I think I can get firsthand accounts, too.”
“Ava…”
“If I get the chance and time to dig deeper—”
“Ava, no.”
I blinked. “But—”
“No.”
I let out a breath. “Any particular reason?”
“For one, I sent you out there to do Jaden’s feature. Do you mean to tell me you’ve been chasing something else?”
“No.” I winced at the lie. “I’ve been focused on the feature—one hundred percent.” I looked skyward, hoping not to get struck by lightning for that lie. “That’s why I’m asking for more time in LA.”
Allan sighed, and my heart dropped. I could practically hear another big fat no in that breath. “Look, you don’t do that type of thing.”
“But I can. Exposés are—”
“If you think it’s that big, bring me everything you have, and we can discuss it. Walt has more experience with that kind of thing…”
He kept talking, but I’d stopped listening. Everything I’d done to get this far, and he wanted me to hand this over to Walt?
“Montgomery, are you still there?”
I blinked out of my disappointed haze. “Yes. You know what? Maybe I don’t have anything worth pursuing after all. I might have jumped the gun.”
“Okay…”
“Thanks, Allan.” I hung up before I went off on him for daring to suggest I hand over the information I’d worked hard for to his golden reporter. I stared at the phone, my chest tight. The rejection hit hard. Allan could have at least heard me out before saying no or bringing up Walt.
Maybe I was reaching too high. Maybe I wasn’t good enough.
My shoulders slumped as I let the disappointment settle in. After that, I stood up, forced a smile, and walked to Lincoln’s room. I wouldn’t ruin the rest of this vacation. Not for Lincoln or his friends. Surely, I could keep myself above the surface of misery until we left.
The scent of rum cocktails and the sound of laughter filled the air.
The moon, stars, and tiki torches illuminated the beach where we’d gathered for drinks and laughs.
Lincoln and his friends were an amusing bunch.
I hadn’t laughed this much with a group of peers in…
ever. I heard stories about their college days and hilarious incidents that happened at locations all over the world.
“Goodness,” I said after the laughter from the last story died down. It involved Bali, a monkey, stolen sunglasses, and bribery with a banana. “You guys have years of funny stories.”
My previous impression of billionaires was wrong.
None of these men were stuck-up guys in suits who only talked about stock prices.
Everyone in Lincoln’s crew was down-to-earth, entertaining, and incredibly nice.
I wouldn’t mind hanging out with them again.
However, I knew that might not happen. I’d be back in Massachusetts soon and might never go back to LA.
My boss shut down my story idea after all.
The thought made the sadness that I’d kept buried rise to the surface, but I tamped it down quickly.
Unfortunately, Lincoln didn’t miss it. While the others chatted, he turned to me. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
He frowned and lifted a hand, but dropped it, and I felt bad. He was about to throw his arm around me, but wasn’t sure if he should. Despite us sleeping together, we were stuck in a stage of uncertainty.
“Alright, enough stories,” Alex said. “Let’s play a game. Truth or dare?”
Michael groaned. “Let’s not. This isn’t high school, and someone might take someone up on a crazy dare, and we’ll have a repeat of Iceland.”
“What happened in Iceland?” Mia asked.
“The Icelandic ice bath disaster,” Lincoln said with sheer amusement.
“This I've got to hear,” I said with a smile, cheering back up.
“Michael dared Alex to jump into a glacial lagoon.” Lincoln chuckled. “Alex forgot to take off his smartwatch, which died and sent a distress signal to his assistant. A search and rescue party with a freaking helicopter surrounded us before we knew what was happening.”
“Michael,” Mia gasped. “That doesn’t sound like you.”
It was true. He seemed the most serious and level-headed in the group.
Michael shrugged. “I didn’t think the nut job would actually do it.”
“You know I never back down from a challenge,” Alex returned. “And there’s nothing wrong with reliving our high school glory days. Who’s up for the game?”
“How about we stick to a game of truth?” Jamie suggested. “That should help us avoid another disaster.”
“Alright, whoever doesn’t want to tell the truth has to take a shot,” Alex said, putting a bottle of rum in the middle of our circle.
“Let’s do it,” Charlotte said.
My curious nature liked the thought of a game of truth. “May I go first?” I asked.
Charlotte grinned. “Go for it.”
“This one is for Spencer.”
“Bloody hell,” he groaned.
“Curiosity has been killing me. Are you really royalty?"
The other ladies turned to him with wide eyes. We were all dying to know. Spencer had never confirmed it, though it was hinted at.
He eyed the bottle of rum. I thought he’d take the shot, but he sighed. “Alright, fine. Yes.”
Charlotte, Mia, Olivia, and I gasped in unison.
“But it’s not a big deal, so let’s move on,” Spencer said.
I scoffed. Not a big deal? It was huge. But he seemed uncomfortable, so we dropped it.
The longer the game went on, the spicier things got… The drunk we got, too. There was a nice balance of truth-telling and choosing to keep secrets, so the rum bottle was almost empty. We were determined to keep going until it was dry. The questions kept coming.
“Lincoln,” Spencer said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Since you like to put me on blast for my sexual proclivities, when did you lose your virginity?”
“I can answer that,” I said, barely holding back a giggle.
“You can?” Lincoln turned to me with wide eyes.
I smirked. “Uh-huh.”
“Answer, answer,” Olivia chanted. The alcohol had really pulled her out of her reserved shell.
“Yeah, answer,” Lincoln said, eyeing me with suspicion.
“You were a junior in high school,” I revealed. “Eliza Smith, the head cheerleader.”
His jaw slacked. “How the hell do you know that, Ava?”
I laughed along with everyone else at his flabbergasted expression.
“You were at our house, in Ethan’s room. She called you, and you had the phone on speaker. She was very appreciative of your skills.”
“Alright, that's enough.” He playfully put a hand over my mouth, which sent me into another fit of giggles.
Lincoln removed his hand, but I didn’t move.
I was still leaning against him, breathless from laughter, my cheek brushing the soft cotton of his shirt.
His arm stayed curled around my back, warm and steady, as if he didn’t want to let go.
I looked up, and he was already watching me.
His smile had softened, the teasing edge replaced by something else.
The longer we held eye contact, everything and everyone around us faded.
There was a familiar spark between us. It was similar to the one that flared twelve years ago, when he visited from college after three years.
I’d always had a crush on my brother’s best friend, but that night I’d felt something more than a simple crush.
Something that left me dazed and breathless.
There was something new about the old spark, however.
It was more potent. My amusement was replaced by a flutter in my chest.
Lincoln’s gaze dropped to my lips, then back to my eyes. “You’re trouble,” he murmured.
“You like trouble,” I whispered.
The other ladies watched our interaction with silly, half-inebriated grins.
But it was Mia who said, “Okay, I’m just gonna say it. Your chemistry is off the charts. Like, off. I feel like I need sunglasses just to look at you two.” Her little snigger after her comment was followed by a hiccup.
Michael chuckled. “You are so drunk.”
She gave him a lopsided grin.
“Alright, I think you’ve had enough,” he said. “Bed. Now.”
“Ooh, like in a sexual way?” Mia slurred.
Everyone laughed—most of us were just as tipsy as Mia was.
Michael whispered something in her ear that made her cheeks glow and her pupils dilate. “Goodnight, guys. We’re out of here.”
One by one, the other couples excused themselves.
Spencer blew out a breath. “Well, I know what they all left to do. I should leave you two lovebirds to do the same.”
“You don’t have to go,” I told him.
He glanced at Lincoln. It seemed they had a silent conversation because he smirked. “I’m turning in. Good night, guys.”
Once we were alone, I turned to Lincoln. “Did you two just communicate telepathically or something?”