Chapter Twenty-Four
The box arrived on Ava’s doorstep three days ago. There was no return address, but the handwriting on the label was unmistakable. Jay had placed the necklace back into the velvet box with a note that simply read:
This belongs to you.
Now, in front of the mirror, Ava fastened the clasp and smoothed the front of her gown. The emerald settled at her neckline, deep green against the golden fabric.
She stared at herself. This wasn’t the girl who’d worn the cheap version of this necklace at seventeen, convinced that Jay Wyler’s love was the only thing that made her worthy. That girl had been so willing to sacrifice everything to keep him.
But this woman—the one with the real emerald and the steady gaze—she was different. She’d walked away. She’d meant it. She’d stood in his condo and told him that loving him couldn’t mean drowning with him.
The teenage Ava would have been terrified of this version of herself—would have seen independence as betrayal. But the woman in the mirror understood something that girl hadn’t: you could love someone and still walk away.
From the bathroom, Eleanor’s voice rang out: “You look hot and tragic.” She was mid-battle with her eyeliner. “The brooding doctor who walked away from love to save lives. Just say the word, and I’ll get you a martini and a cigarette holder.”
Ava let out a short laugh, her fingers drifting to the pendant. “I can’t decide if wearing this is a statement or a mistake.”
“That necklace is not the problem,” Eleanor said, walking into the room barefoot. “It’s gorgeous. You’re gorgeous. The only issue is the ghost of a certain rockstar living rent-free in your head.”
Ava had nearly texted Jay that morning. It had been over a month, and the urge to reach out to him was only growing stronger. Receiving her award tonight would be yet another milestone reached without him at her side.
Eleanor shimmied into a blindingly bright orange cocktail dress. “You sure you’re ready for tonight?”
Ava nodded. “Let’s get it over with.”
There was a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Eleanor said, already moving. “Probably Zach.”
Over the past few weeks, Eleanor and Zach had gone from flirty banter to full-blown infatuation.
Now, all Eleanor could talk about was his smile, his cologne, and—much to Ava’s unwilling ears—how unfairly good he was with his mouth.
The Fall Gala was their unofficial relationship debut.
Eleanor had sworn up and down she wouldn’t steal the spotlight from the real star of the evening: Dr. Davenport, Resident of the Year.
Truthfully, Ava might’ve been more thrilled for them if her brain wasn’t constantly tugging her back to that last night with Jay. She didn’t even have to close her eyes to see the way he’d looked at her.
It wasn’t even his relapse that had gutted her the most—it was his defeat, like he’d already lost.
Ava heard Eleanor open the door and let out a quiet, “Oh.”
A beat passed.
Then his voice: “I just…just give me a few minutes if you guys were in the middle of something.”
Ava’s heart kicked against her ribs. She bolted from her bedroom, nearly colliding face-first with Eleanor’s very present cleavage. Eleanor caught her, arms like a seatbelt, blocking her from getting a clear view of the door.
“Was that—”
Eleanor tightened her grip. “It’s your call, Ava. I’ll be whatever you need me to be right now.”
Zach’s voice suddenly drifted from the hall. “Oh hey. What’s up, man?”
Ava wriggled free in time to see Zach greet Jay with that signature guy move—handshake, pull-in, slap on the back. Jay looked briefly stunned, like he was about to laugh, but then his gaze met Ava’s.
Everything else fell away. He stood in the doorway in a black button-up, sleeves rolled, crisp slacks, and damp curls like he’d just showered.
Zach brushed past, heading for Eleanor. The second she turned toward him, he lifted her off her feet and kissed her, muttering about how hot she looked. Eleanor swatted him away with a half-laugh. “Zach, babe, now is not the time.”
She grabbed his hand, straightening. “Ava, you want a minute?”
Ava could only nod.
Eleanor collected her bag from the couch and slipped on her shoes. “Zach and I will be downstairs. You let me know if I need to beat some ass today.” As she passed Jay in the doorway, she added over her shoulder, “I’m not afraid to take down a rich boy if I gotta.”
Jay chuckled awkwardly, lifting a hand in a lazy wave as they disappeared down the hall. He turned back to Ava. “Can I come in?”
Ava nodded. He padded in slowly, closing the door behind him. For a moment, the air between them crackled, a month’s worth of unspoken words filling the silence.
“You look...” He swallowed, eyes tracing her gown. “Incredible.”
“You sent the necklace.”
“Didn’t know if you’d wear it.”
“Didn’t know if I should.”
Jay nodded once, like he deserved that. “I wanted you to have it. No expectations.”
She crossed her arms—not in anger but to give her hands somewhere to go. “Why are you here?”
He exhaled slowly. “Because I miss you. Because I’m trying to get better. I’ve been sober three weeks.”
Her eyes flicked to his, searching for cracks.
“I’m not asking you to fix me,” he continued. “I wanted you to know I heard you. I’m trying. Not just for you—because I want to be the kind of person who deserves you.”
Her chest pulled taut.
“And you were right. I should’ve told you. I panicked at dinner with your parents and took a shot of vodka to calm down. It was stupid.”
“Where did you get the vodka?”
“The old liquor cabinet.” Jay moved to sit on her couch, pressing his thumbs into his eyebrows like he was trying to push the guilt out of his skull. “I don’t want to be that version of myself again, but it’s really fucking hard.”
She sat beside him, adjusting herself to face him with one leg tucked beneath her. “We’re not made of glass, Jay. We’re stronger than we think.”
Jay lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers. “I’m a hell of a lot stronger when I’m with you.”
“We both are.” She rested a hand on his knee. “But you’ve been doing this on your own for weeks. That’s not nothing, Jay. Look at where you were.”
He swallowed. “I want to do this right this time.”
Ava hesitated, her walls not down all the way. “How do I know this time will be different?”
For a moment, she thought he might not answer. But then he shifted closer.
“I saw my father,” he said quietly. “A few days ago. He’s dying.”
Ava worried on her lower lip.
“And he’s exactly who he always was.” Jay’s jaw worked.
“Still bitter. Blaming everyone but himself.” He looked at her.
“I’ve spent my whole life terrified I’d become him.
That’s why I kept pushing you away. I thought if I got too close, you’d eventually see what he always did—that I’m fundamentally broken. ”
“Jay…”
“But I’m not him, A.” His voice cracked. “I’m not going to keep pushing you away because I’m scared. I’m not going to choose anything over you.”
She could see the weight lifting off him as he spoke as if he finally believed his own words.
“I love you, Ava,” Jay said softly. “I’m so goddamn scared of failing you, but I love you.”
She smiled through the tears building in her eyes. “The only way you can fail me is by shutting me out.”
Jay nodded, his throat bobbing as he pulled her into him, his head dropping onto hers. They stayed like that until Ava lifted her head, hands on his thighs, a small smile breaking through. “For the record, I love you too. You can stop doubting that.”
He tilted his head to meet her lips in a soft, affirming kiss that ran a spark through her entire body. She pulled back smiling. His hair had dried into curls, framing the sharp lines of his face. Five years without that face felt impossible now.
“I’m not running away.”
She slid her hands up his arms, fingers gently tracing the fabric of his sleeves. “You’re here now. That’s what matters.”
Jay’s eyes roamed her face. His hand found hers, fingers lacing instinctively. “I came to ask if you’d let me take you to the Fall Gala.”
“Is that why you’re all dressed up?”
He gave her a small smile. “If the invitation’s open.”
She laughed softly. “You always did have dramatic timing.”
His smirk returned. “I’ve said it before—us Wylers don’t know how to half-ass anything. If it’s going to be dramatic, we go all in.”
“We can ride with Eleanor and Zach,” she offered. “I was going to carpool with them.”
Jay chewed on his bottom lip. “I, uh—drove here. Brought Ari’s fancy Maserati. It’s a bit much, but it’s nice.”
“You drove?!”
“Yeah.” He laughed sheepishly. “I can still do it, surprisingly.”
“That’s huge, Jay.”
He shrugged. “I had to pull over at one point to breathe, but you’re worth it.” Gently, he drew her hand closer, pulling her into his space. “I’d face my fears a thousand times if it means I get to keep showing up for you.”
“How did you even know about tonight?” she asked suddenly. “About the gala?”
“Mira mentioned you won an award. I looked up when all of this was and…” He gestured at her.
“Resident of the Year, A. That’s huge. I missed your white coat ceremony.
Your graduation.” He swallowed hard. “I wasn’t going to miss this too, even if it was sending the necklace and hoping you’d know I was proud of you. ”
“Your note was pretty short.”
He gave a self-deprecating smile. “Didn’t know what else to say. Figured if I wrote more, I’d fuck it up. But I wanted to be here tonight. Not just in a card. Actually here. If you’ll let me.”
Ava’s lips found his. Jay responded with equal fervor, fingers threading through her hair. The weeks apart, the ache of longing—all of it fell away. When they finally parted they were breathless and a little dazed.
She rested her forehead against his. “So,” she murmured, “does this mean you’re coming over later?”
Jay’s smirk was all charm. “Have we ever said no to a sleepover?”
Their laughter came easier now, the sound of something being rebuilt.
Jay kissed her again, slower this time, pulling away but staying close. “I’m terrified that I’ll mess this up again.”
“Then we’ll be terrified together.” She smiled. “But we show up anyway.”
“Deal.”