Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
LIAM
I don’t hear half of what Mrs. McAllister’s saying when she congratulates me again. My eyes are locked on Ava. Or more specifically, on Ava standing with Derek Harper, coffee cup in his hand and that smug tilt to his smile. Fuck, I hate that guy.
I know that smile. I know what it cost her last time. And the fact that he’s back, circling her like he’s entitled to another shot, has my blood running hotter than it should, considering she’s never been mine.
By the time I cut across the snow, Ava looks…cornered. Her scarf pulled tight. Her arms crossed like a shield. Derek leans in anyway, talking low, too close, and way too fucking familiar.
“Still friends with Carter, huh?” I catch the end of his sentence.
Ava’s chin lifts. “We’ve always been friends.”
Friends. The word hits harder than I want it to.
Derek’s gaze flicks to me and his smile sharpens as I step up beside her. “Speak of the devil.”
“Derek,” I say, my voice coming out even, but it costs me. “Surprised to see you sticking around town for Christmas this year.”
“For the week,” he says easily. “Thought I’d spend Christmas with my family before heading to the sun.” His eyes slide to Ava as he reaches for her shoulder. When he strokes the fabric of her jacket with his palm, my back stiffens. “Maybe grab coffee, just the two of us. For old times’ sake.”
Something cold knifes through me. I want to tell him no, that she’s with me. That he had his chance and blew it, but this isn’t my call to make. It’s hers, and I need to let her decide for herself.
So, I just plant myself a little closer, close enough that my sleeve brushes Ava’s. Close enough that if she needs to step back, she’ll have me to lean on.
She doesn’t say yes. She doesn’t say no either. Just stares at Derek, lips pressed tight, like the weight of the past is dragging her under.
The silence stretches, and every beat of it hammers against my ribs. Finally, Derek gives a little shrug, like he’s already won something just by making her hesitate. “Think about it,” he says, “you have my number.” Then he strolls off toward the coffee cart, as smug as ever.
I watch him go, my hands fisting inside my gloves. What I want to do is chase him down and tell him she’s not his to circle anymore. What I want to do is grab Ava by the shoulders and tell her I kissed her like I meant it because I did.
Instead, I turn to her and watch her face pale in the glow of the Christmas lights, her eyes fixed anywhere but me.
“You okay?” I ask softly.
She nods too quickly. “Fine. It’s fine, Liam.”
But it isn’t. Not for her. Not for me. Not with Derek back in the picture and the taste of her still on my lips.