34. Ava
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ava
Boundaries
“What?” I sputtered into my phone.
My phone rested innocently on the ottoman, completely oblivious to the expression on my face.
“Ava, you know we need you back here,” my mother said.
“Mom, no matter what, I am going to help,” I replied. “But I absolutely do not want to come back and keep working with Brad.”
I could practically see the pinched corners of her mouth as she paused. She had always been a fan of the long pause. “You need to be professional about this.”
“What?” I yelped.
“You have a job. A very good job. I don’t see why you would give that up. You’ve divorced Brad. It’s over.”
“Yeah, and I don’t want to see him at work,” I said. “I don’t want to collaborate with him. I definitely don’t want him involved in my day-to-day life.”
I took a breath, then added, “And it’s not just him. Claire works there. They have every right to be together. We’re divorced. But I do not need a daily reminder of my public humiliation.”
My mother’s sigh came through the call forcefully. “Well, what are you going to do?” she asked, worry threading her words.
“I’m going to have a job,” I said firmly. “I am working right now. I haven’t quit. I’m working remotely.”
“Shouldn’t you be able to fly home by now? It’s just a broken ankle.”
I closed my eyes. I knew my mother loved me. I really did. But sometimes she drove me completely bonkers.
“It is a broken ankle straight through two bones that had to be elevated and stabilized so it would heal properly. I’m still in a boot.” I exhaled. “I cannot afford the medical accommodations I would need to fly home now.”
There was another long pause. I filled the silence. “I use my extra money to support you and Dad because I love you,” I added quietly.
“Honey, I didn’t mean it like that,” she said.
“I know,” I replied. “And you don’t need to worry. As long as I am able, I will always help.”
I leaned my head back against the couch, pinching the bridge of my nose as panic fluttered in my chest. The sensation was familiar.
“I don’t want to go back to that job,” I said. “I’m not quitting without a plan. I’m not reckless or impulsive, even if sometimes I wish I were.”
“Maybe you’ll feel better after some time,” she offered.
The me from before all of this might have agreed. “I think I will feel better, but that won’t change that I won’t want to work with Brad,” I said gently. “Please let that idea go.”
There were things she did not know about Brad, things I did not have the heart to tell her.
“I have a place to stay,” I added. “I’ll deposit money next week like always,” I continued.
“We miss you, sweetheart,” she said softly. “Can we do a video call next time?”
My heart ached a little. “Absolutely, Mom,” I said. “Love you.”
“Love you, honey,” she replied as I tapped the screen to end the call.
I leaned back into the couch cushions and let out a dramatic sigh. Growly seemed to sense that I was upset. He shifted from his favorite spot in the corner of the couch and padded over to me, curling against my hip and purring.
“Hey, dude,” I murmured, scratching beside his ears.
He loved that. I smiled down at him. “I wish you could tell me all about your life and what happened before I met you.” He purred in response, giving me what I chose to interpret as a loving look before tucking his head against my hip.
I have a cat.
The thought struck me so suddenly that I grabbed my phone and sent a text to Tiffany at the rescue program.
Me: Hey, you told me to reach out if I had any questions. What do I need to do to officially adopt him? Growly. By the way, I’m keeping the name. It fits. His purr sounds like a mini growl. Kind of warm and fuzzy, though.
I set my phone down, only for it to immediately start vibrating with an incoming call. I glanced at the screen and slid my thumb across it, answering on speaker. “Well, hey, Tiffany.”
She squealed. “Oh my God, I’m so excited! How’s Growly?”
I laughed. “He’s doing great. I love him. He’s the perfect cat for recovery when you can’t walk very well. We’re just chilling together.”
“I am so glad,” she said. “Now let’s get serious. Of course you can adopt him, but I have to ask if you’re staying in town.”
I took a slow breath, considering my answer. “I’d appreciate it if you could keep this quiet until I finalize my plans,” I said carefully. “But I’m going to stay here. Yes.”
She squealed again, and I was almost certain I heard clapping. “Are you clapping your hands?”
“Yes,” she said without apology. “Willow Brook is an amazing place, and so is Alaska. I just had a feeling about you when Josie reached out. Elderly cats are the hardest for us to adopt out.”
“Do you know how old he is?” I asked, suddenly anxious.
“Well, the vet guessed he’s about seven or eight, so he’s not actually old. He just looks rough around the edges because he’s lived a rough life.”
I smiled down at Growly. “He deserves nothing but comfort. He has the run of the place,” I told her.
“He goes upstairs sometimes, like he’s checking on things, then comes right back.
He sleeps in bed with me and sleeps on the couch during the day.
No accidents. Perfectly litter box trained.
I am a little worried I might overfeed him, though. ”
“Well,” she added quickly, “Josie got you one of those weight-checking litter boxes. You can track his weight, or frankly, you can just let him get fat and happy.”
I snorted. “I didn’t even know it weighed him.”
“Yep. There’s an app for it.”
“There is an app for my cat’s bathroom habits?”
She laughed. “There’s a QR code on the side. Scan it, set it up, and text me his weight once it’s working.”
“That way you’ll know if he’s getting fat and happy,” I teased. “Tanner brought me those squeezy treats,” I added casually.
The pause that followed was loaded. “Tanner brought you some?” Tiffany’s tone shot up several octaves.
“Yes,” I said. “Growly likes him very much.”
“Well, of course he does,” she said. “Tanner is as good as a man gets.” She rushed on. “I am totally in love with Wes and happily married and have zero chemistry with Tanner, but I promise you, he’s that great of a guy.”
“Really?” I asked quietly.
“Really. Wes and Tanner have been friends forever. I knew him growing up. You’re not going to find anyone in town who has something bad to say about him.”
My cheeks got hot, and I cleared my throat nervously.
“Not everyone likes everyone,” she continued, “but even if someone doesn’t like Tanner, they’re not going to think he’s a jerk. He’s just not that guy.”
I must have gone quiet for too long.
“Ava?”
“Oh, I’m here,” I said quickly.
“You okay?”
I hardly knew Tiffany, yet she somehow picked up on my tension.
I wasn’t up for explaining just now. “Yeah,” I said. “I’m fine.”
“I’ll email you the adoption application. You’re approved, but we need it for our records. Just let me know when it’s public knowledge that you’re staying in Willow Brook.”
“Of course,” I said. “I just need to take care of some logistics first.”
She laughed softly. “I get it, and I’m really happy for both of you.”
Both of us?
After I ended the call, I idly sifted my fingers through Growly’s fur. He was getting fluffier by the day. I was convinced of it.
I tried to ease the panic that started churning in my chest, but it was not easy. Moving to Alaska was a big deal. Maybe it was crazy, and maybe it was reckless. Maybe the most terrifying part for my heart was the realization I was falling in love with Tanner. Which was completely fucking insane.
“No,” I said aloud. “I cannot be falling in love with him. It is way too soon. There is no way. No how.”
Growly purred, entirely unconcerned. I breathed slowly until the anxiety loosened its grip, just enough for me to think clearly again.
At which point, I texted Tanner.
Me: Can you come over tonight?
I set my phone down and told myself not to panic when he didn't reply right away.