7. The Picnic with Tyler
The next day,I stand before the imposing structure of Fletcher Associates, the law firm where Tyler works. Its sleek, modern design rises high above the streets of downtown Port Haven. The glass walls, reflecting the afternoon sun, create a shimmering facade that seems to both entice and intimidate.
The sounds of Port Haven surround me—the incessant honking of car horns, the hurried footsteps of pedestrians rushing to their destinations, the aroma of baked bread from a nearby bakery—it’s a sensory overload.
Taking a deep breath, I try to calm the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. The conversation with Dexter and my evening with Alexander have solidified my resolve, but the thought of facing Tyler, of ending things with the man who has been my anchor in the storm, felt like severing the lifeline that kept me afloat.
Stepping into the pristine lobby, the cool air conditioning washes over me. My shoes click softly on the polished marble floors, the smooth surface cool beneath my fingertips as I steady myself on a nearby table. The scent of fresh flowers, strategically placed on the sleek reception desk, mingles with the faint hum of electronics. A young woman with a coiffed blonde bun and a welcoming smile looks up from her computer.
“Hi, I’m here to see Tyler,” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
Why am I so nervous?
“Of course,” she replies, her voice friendly. “Can I tell him who’s visiting?”
“Ava,”I say, feeling a blush creep up my neck under her knowing gaze.
“Ah, you’re Ava,”she says with a smile that hints at a shared secret. “Now I see what everybody’s talking about.”
I blush even deeper, aware of the curious glances from others in the lobby. Tyler is a well-respected lawyer known for his charm, intelligence, and his impeccable reputation. Being associated with him, even casually, has brought a certain level of notoriety I’m not entirely comfortable with.
Deep breaths, Ava.
I take the elevator to the highest floor and sit down in another smaller lobby. As I wait for Tyler, my gaze drifts towards the large windows. The streets below seem a world away from the sterile elegance of the law firm. My eyes scan the familiar landmarks—the towering clock tower of City Hall, the ornate facade of the Grand Theatre, and the murals that adorn the sides of buildings in the Arts District.
And then, my gaze snags on a less familiar sight – a boarded-up storefront, its windows shattered. It’s located nearby, just a block away, a reminder of the recent robberies that have plagued Port Haven. It’s also just a stone’s throw from the neighborhood where Alexander grew up.
A moment later, Tyler emerges from one of the offices, his face lighting up with surprise as he sees me. His smile, usually so warm and inviting, seems to falter as his eyes meet mine as if he senses the storm inside me.
“Ava? What are you—”He stops mid-sentence, his smile faltering as he takes me in. For a moment, he just stares at me, and I can feel the weight of my decision pressing down on me.
“I brought you a picnic,”I say, holding up the wicker basket I’d packed that morning, hoping the gesture would somehow mask the words I’ve come to say. “I took the day off, and Cole doesn’t mind. Obviously. I thought we could go to the park.”
His eyes soften, the familiar warmth returning to his gaze. He takes the basket from me, his fingers brushing against mine, sending a fleeting spark of connection through me. How can he look at me like that when I’m so full of lies?
“That sounds perfect,”he says and sighs. “Let’s go.”
We make our way to the nearby park, the sun shining down on us as we find a quiet spot under the shade of a large oak tree. He spreads out the blanket, and I join him, laying out the food and drinks I’d prepared.
“This is so thoughtful, Ava,”he says, his eyes meeting mine. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,”I reply, forcing a smile.
Because I need to tell you the truth, I add in my mind, the unspoken words heavy on my tongue.
As the sun stands high in the sky, the reality of my situation comes crashing down on me. I can’t keep living a lie, pretending to be someone I’m not. I have to be honest with Tyler, no matter how much it hurts. This picnic, his nature, only confirms what I already know: Tyler deserves a love that is pure and unwavering, a love untainted by secrets and shadows.
I need to let him go.
“Aw,”he says and rubs his neck.
“What?”
“Oh, it’s just my neck is so sore. There’s been a lot of sitting at the office lately.”He tilts his head to the side and rotates his shoulder blades in circular motions.
“So, what’s been keeping you so busy at work?”I ask, taking a sip of my coffee.
“I’ve been working on a big case,”Tyler replies, his eyes lighting up with the thrill of the chase. “It involves money laundering through a shipping company suspected of being a front for the Veles Network. They use these shell corporations to move money and goods all over the globe. Possibly art! It’s a complex one, and I’ve been working long hours to try and crack it.”
A flicker of admiration crosses my face. Tyler is a brilliant lawyer, and his sharp mind makes him a formidable force in the courtroom.
“Sounds interesting,”I say, genuinely intrigued.
“I can’t say too much about it,”he says with a confident smirk, his lips curving into a smile. “I’m also helping my father with the Veles Network case. He’s been on their trail for a while now. It might all be connected.”
A knot tightens in my stomach at the mention of the Veles Network. The knowledge of Alexander’s possible involvement casts a shadow over our conversation.
Tyler’s words are filled with passion and a thirst for justice. His world is one of laws and order, a world where right and wrong are clearly defined.
But Alexander’s world—it is a labyrinth of shadows and secrets, a world where the rules are fluid, where loyalty and betrayal often wear the same mask.
“That must be stressful,”I say, my voice neutral. “Working long hours on such an important case. Not one, but two cases.”
“It is,”he admits. “But I can’t stop now. I need to see this through to the end. The stakes are too high.”
I nod, understanding the passion that drives him, the commitment to justice that has always been a core part of his being. It’s one of the things I admire most about him: his belief in doing what’s right, no matter the cost.
Even if it will land Alexander in prison.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of it,”I say, offering a reassuring smile, though my words feel hollow and fake.
“You know,”he says hesitantly, “my dad thinks Alexander might be involved.”
My breath catches in my throat, and I freeze, my hand tightening around the coffee mug. “Alexander?”I repeat.
“Yeah,”he replies, his gaze sharpening. “I always thought he was a bit of a shady guy, but I never expected him to be involved in something like this.”
“Really?”I ask, feigning ignorance. “I haven’t heard anything about him being involved in any crime.”My mind races, trying to deflect suspicion to protect Alexander even as I question his innocence.
“Are the Veles Network still striking stores?”I add, hoping to steer the conversation away from Alexander.
He gives me a suspicious look, furrowing his brow. “Of course, it’s all over the media,”he says, his tone implying that I’m either oblivious or intentionally avoiding the topic.
I can’t tell him the truth, not yet. Not about the note I’d seen in Alexander’s pocket, not about Kovacs, not about my late-night research and the growing suspicion that Alexander is indeed entangled with the Veles Network.
“I’ve just been so busy with work,”I lie, hoping he’ll believe me. “I haven’t had a chance to catch up on the news.”
He seems to accept my explanation.
“I’m so glad you came to see me today,”he says, squeezing my hand.
I feel a lump forming in my throat, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
“So, I need to ask you something,”he says before I can speak.
“What is it?”I ask, fidgeting with the edge of my blouse.
He reaches across the picnic blanket, his hand hovering over mine for a moment before taking it in his. “I want us to be exclusive,”he says. “I know it’s soon, but I can’t imagine being with anyone else but you.”
His eyes, usually warm and open, now hold a flicker of something else, a possessiveness I haven’t seen before.
“Tyler, I—”I begin, my voice trembling, the words catching in my throat.
“I know, I know,”he interrupts, his hand retreating from mine, a look of disappointment clouding his eyes. “You’re not ready yet. I understand.”
But the look in his eyes tells me that he doesn’t understand, not at all. He looks hurt and confused, and my heart shatters into a million pieces.
“It’snot that simple,”I try to explain, the words feeling inadequate. “I have a lot going on right now.”
“Like what?”he asks, his voice taking on a defensive edge.
I look away, unable to meet his gaze. “I just— I can’t talk about it right now,”I mumble, feeling like a coward.
He stands up abruptly. “Fine,”he says, his voice cold and distant. “But I need to know that this is going somewhere, Ava. I can’t keep going on like this.”
And as I watch him walk away, the remnants of the picnic scattered around us like fallen leaves, I know that our time together has come to an end. My chest aches with a chill that spreads through my limbs, “Tyler, wait,”I say.
He stops and turns to face me. “What is it, Ava?”he asks, his voice cold and distant.
I take a deep breath, and the words I’d been rehearsing in my head suddenly feel inadequate. “You’re right. I can’t do this anymore.”
“Can’t do what?”he asks, his brow furrowing.
“This,”I gesture vaguely between us, encompassing the remnants of our picnic, the park, the city, everything that represents our shared life. “Us.”
His eyes widen, and a flicker of pain crosses his features. “What are you talking about?”he asks, his voice strained. “I don’t want to break up with you.”
“I’m not— I’m not in love with you, Tyler.”The words taste like ash in my mouth.
The hurt in his eyes hardened, the pupils contracting as a flicker of red sparked in their depths. “Is this because of him?”he says. “Because of Alexander?”
I close my eyes; they are moist with tears. “It’s not that simple,”I whisper, knowing that no explanation will ever be enough.
He lets out a bitter laugh, the sound devoid of humor. “It was always him, wasn’t it?”he says, his voice bitter.
“That’s not fair,”I protest, my voice cracking. “You are good enough, Tyler. You’re more than enough. It’s me. I’m the one who’s not good enough.”
I’m the one with a dark soul.
He stares at me for a long moment, his anger slowly dissipating, replaced by something else. “I don’t understand,”he says, “we’re good together.”
“Idon’t understand either,”I confess, my tears falling freely now. “I just— I know that I can’t give you what you deserve. You deserve someone who loves you without reservation, without the shadows of the past hanging over them.”
He reaches out and cups my face in his hands, his touch gentle despite the pain in his eyes. “Ava,”he says, his voice raw with emotion. “Please don’t do this. I can’t lose you.”
“You’re not losing me,”I say, my voice thick with tears, my heart aching at the sight of his pain. “I’ll always be there for you if you need me, as a friend. Always.”
He pulls me into a tight embrace, his body trembling against mine as if he is trying to hold onto a piece of driftwood in a raging storm. We stand there for a long moment, clinging to each other, the silence broken only by the sound of our mingled sobs.
The setting sun casts long shadows across the park, bathing us in a warm, golden light that feels like a final farewell. As we pull away, our eyes meet, red and swollen.
“Goodbye, Ava,” he whispers.
“Goodbye, Tyler,” I reply.
He hesitates momentarily, his hand reaching out as if to stop me, then falling back to his side.
With that, we turn and walk away, each heading in a different direction, our paths diverging like the branches of a tree.
I don’t head home just yet. There’s something I need to do first.