Chapter 74
JOSIE
It’s quiet at The Oak. I don’t like it being quiet. I like it busy when there are things to do and things to keep me preoccupied. I like it when I can use my hands and make orders and speak to customers because then I am not thinking or getting lost inside my head. I don’t enjoy doing much thinking these days.
I’m staring into space when the door to the coffee shop opens and Ava Matson walks in. I recognize her immediately. Ava and I went to high school together. She’s dating Damon Penmayne, Victor’s brother. And now she’s just walked into The Oak.
She’s beautiful. Well, she’s always been beautiful, so it’s no surprise to find her exactly the same. There’s a reason why she was the most popular girl in high school - she’s got that grace and style and looks that made so many boys fall in love with her.
Her most striking element is her eyes – one blue and the other one green. Her silky, healthy platinum hair hangs down. She is one of those pretty people who can look amazing even on their worst day.
She’s come in here a few times since I’ve started working behind the counter. She loves our almond croissants, and I can understand why. But it is still jarring to see her.
She strolls into a totally empty coffee shop with just me behind the counter.
“Hello, Josie,” she says, surprised to see me.
“Hello, Ava. Here for an almond croissant?”
She ignores my question.
“You’re back here?” she asks.
“Yep.”
Ava shakes her head.
“I saw the news,” she says softly. “I heard about you and Victor...”
I smile softly.
“Everything fell apart with Victor,” I whisper.
Ava nods, understanding.
“Are you okay?”
“I’ve moved on,” I reply.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asks me. “Or not, it’s up to you. I’ve got all day.”
I glance at the empty coffee shop and at the door and then at the clock on the wall.
“I think it’s time for my break,” I say. “Let’s sit down and have a coffee and a chat.”
I tell Ava everything. And I mean everything.
Including the agreement. Including all the stuff about the fake relationship. She is dating a Penmayne, after all - she probably understands more about my situation than anyone else on the planet.
I tell her about Italy... the hotel room... how Victor and I went on that mini vacation by the lake and how we ended up kissing for real. I tell her about how everything transformed from that moment on.
And Ava listens. She doesn’t pass judgment or say a word until I have completely finished my story. She watches me with her mixed-color eyes.
“I know what it’s like with that family,” she tells me when I’ve finally concluded my sob story. My coffee is cold now. “And I know what it’s like with the boys of that family. They are a handful. It can feel like a rollercoaster with them.”
“And what can you tell me about them?” I ask her. “Can you tell me how to mend my broken heart? How can you be with someone like Victor and then go back to the real world?”
Ava laughs.
“I don’t think you can,” she says. “I love Damon too much to even consider any other life. He’s taken me over completely, and I have taken over him in my own way.”
“I just don’t know how to go on,” I whisper. “I don’t know how to face the fact it was all fake.”
“They may be hard men to live with,” Ava replies, “but they are the most loving. Those Penmaynes are infuriating, but there is an art to understanding them and the way they tick. I doubt it was as fake as it seemed. I don’t think Victor would feel the same way if you spoke to him today.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
“Really? You think so?”
“He told me it was fake,” I say.
“Yeah.”
“He sounded pretty damn serious about it,” I continue. “About how fake it was.”
“Sure.”
“We signed an agreement,” I say. “Look at me, I’m just a barista. I should’ve clearly realized from the very damn start I had no hope in hell actually dating the guy.”
“And I was a girl trying to pay off her dad’s debts,” Ava counters. “But the Penmaynes are above the shallow judgments of others. They might be tough, but they fall in love with the heart and not with the wallet.”
“I don’t know...”
“Josie, just answer this one question. Do you like Victor?”
I take in a long breath.
“I do.”
“Would you date him again?” Ava asks quietly. “Really date him, this time?”
“Yes, Ava. I would,” I reply.
And it’s the truth.
And it’s enough to make me start crying all over again.
And Ava leans over and gives me the biggest hug in the world.