Page 46 of My Never
“Mmmm,” he hums in acknowledgement, “but we’re so good together, Ava, and we’re just getting started. I can’t wait to see what happens in a few months.”
“You plan on sticking around that long?” I cross-examine, a little breathless from how those two sentences just made my heart start pounding. He looks out his window, deliberately thinking of his answer first before smiling back at me. His eye contact is unwavering. Unnerving.
“For as long as you aren’t sick of me.”
“I like you, Mark.”
“I like you too, Ava.”
“Who would’ve thunk it?”
We both laugh at my silly remark and the craziness of our situation until we’re almost in tears.
15
Ava
Two seconds is all I get between the front door opening and the sound of Jane’s loud voice.
“Details! I’m dying for details!”
“We brought wine!”
I lay my head in my hands and laugh hard against my kitchen island while preparing for the insane amount of questions about to come my way. I love these girls though.
My friends stagger into the kitchen, intent on hearing nothing less than the whole story from when this all began. I dip out a bowl of hamburger cheese dip from the crockpot and slide it across the countertop while Jane pours glasses and Holly grabs the tortilla chips.
“Holy hell, all those little looks we all kept catching? I knew I felt an undercurrent running between you two the night of the bachelorette party! Then it seemed to justpoof!...disappear,” Sydney divulges before grabbing the bag of chips from Holly since she’s hogging them. Sydney pours the chips into an extra bowl in the middle.
“Read us the messages! You know which ones. You were a texting fool the night of the wedding,” Jane demands, handing me my phone. I oblige them. By the time I finish them, they’re all staring open-mouthed at me, and Holly is fanning herself.
“Then?” Jane urges on. She’s such a dirty detail slut. Zero shame. I love her.
I tell them a watered-down version of the coat closet, how Trystan caught us afterward, then the hotel. They hoot with glee and shake their heads in astonishment at the fact that we still haven’t actually had sex yet.
“Please tell me you are going to ride that man until you pass out? I just never imagined… well, okay… I can see it, but just never gave thought to him being so damn delectable. With all due respect,” Holly asks then declares while Jane and Sydney just sit there and nod, taking it all in and processing.
“Damn…” Jane says and bites her lip.
“Double damn…” Sydney echoes.
“Hot diggity…” Holly tosses in, and I snort my glee. Yes, I realize I have landed myself in magical unicorn territory, and I know that I better not let this opportunity out of my grasp.
“What if all this build up falls flat when we finally come together? Things aresogood between us. What if I don’t live up to his expectations? Guys, it’s been years,” I ramble out, letting all the anxiety flow from my fingers into the room. I feel better voicing what’s been plaguing my mind for days.
The looks spanning across their faces range from “Are you kidding me, right now?” to empathetic understanding.
“I feel like a big jumble of black-lined squiggles a frustrated teenager scribbles all over their paper in class. I’m everywhere and nowhere all at the same time.”
“Ava, you are a beautiful soul capable of captivating any man that is WORTHyourtime. If he’s not on your level, it won’t go anywhere. If he is, then things will work in all the ways thatmatter.” Jane states matter of factly. “I can’t imagine the straight fire you’re experiencing right now just fizzling out. It seems like more than just attraction. The conversations you’ve mentioned speak of a deeper connection,” she adds before stuffing a giant bite of gooey dip into her mouth.
“I guess I’m worried about his past behavior. Like, part of me is scared that he’s just in it for the chase, and that he’s going to bolt once he finally has me.”
They all nod their heads in understanding.
“He admitted he wanted something deeper?” Holly asks.
“Yes.”
