Page 16 of My Weakness

“I knew we were pushing him, but I don’t think I ever actually believed this would happen,” Bella says, the shock evident on her face.

“I’m going to ask, because, hello, it’s me. Why are you not currently in his office getting banged on his desk?” Mia states bluntly.

“Mia! It’s River — he’s my brother.”

“No, he’s not.” Apparently, it’s Harper’s turn to pipe up. “He moved in when you were seventeen, you were practically an adult, and he was twenty-four. Neither of you are blood related. I’m sorry, Ava, but nobody in their right mind would call that man your brother.”

“Do you like him?” My eyes find Bella’s on the screen, and I shrug, unsure of what to say. “How did kissing him feel?”

“Amazing.” I don’t even have to think about it, my answer is immediate.

“Can you get past everything he’s done? Because I’ll be honest it all takes on a different meaning when you realize he’s secretly been pining for you all this time.”

I take in Harper’s words.Can I?Can I put everything he’s done behind us? Do I even want to? Do I want to try whatever this is with River?

“I don’t know,” I whisper.

“Look, you don’t have to make a decision now. Sit on it, think about what it is you really want, and how River makes you feel. This is big, Ava, it can’t be rushed.”

“Why don’t you come around our house tonight?” Bella asks. “Reed might be able to help you see things from a different perspective.”

That’s not a bad idea actually.

“Yeah, sure. Thanks, Bella, that’ll be good.”

“Okay, come straight from work. We can have a drink outside before we eat.”

“Okay,” I nod. “Thanks girls. Love you all.”

“Love you.” They all chorus back.

They’re the best friends in the world; I honestly don’t know what I’d do without them sometimes.

Chapter Ten

Ava

Reed has good wine — like really,reallygood wine. I’m on my second glass and I’m finally feeling relaxed after River’s kiss in the office.

Bella and I have been sitting out here for the past thirty minutes while Reed finishes off a couple of work bits and orders dinner for us.

“Right, ladies, dinner will be twenty minutes.” He takes a seat next to Bella on the outdoor couch opposite mine, and immediately pulls her into his side.

He is totally obsessed with her. That man fell hard and fast for our girl, not that I can blame him — Bella is gorgeous, inside and out. I love the fact she got the man she’s always wanted, the man she’d saved herself for, and the man who had no clue she was in love with him.

“So, talk to me, Ava. What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?”

Yeah, did I also mention he’s charming?

“You were right,” I chuckle. “It seems River may have some feelings for me that I didn’t pick up on or see coming.”

“Bella said something happened today, but my little brat wouldn’t tell me what. She said I had to hear it from you.” I can’t help but smirk at his words; he wouldn’t have her any other way.

“You love when I’m a brat.”

“No,” he says as he gazes down at her. “I love what I get to do to you because of it.”

I’m laughing at how much Bella is blushing as I tell him about what happened in River’s office this morning.