Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“Sure,” Ava says, deadly calm. “But that photo was taken, when? Judging by your hair, it was only a couple years ago.”
“Five,” I answer, my heart hammering in my ears.
“Yes, which means that’s around the time you two became more than friends. Correct?”
I press my lips together, but then I answer. “Correct.”
She nods, her brows furrowed and her lips in a thin line. She looks over at me, and I know I’m not going to like what comes out of her mouth. “I don’t know. Seems inappropriate for there to be a photo of you kissing your ex in your family home when you’re engaged to someone else who comes to this house.”
It’s so quiet, you could hear a puck drop. My heart hammers in my chest as I say, “This is my mom’s home. While I am always welcome here, I don’t have any say in what is on the walls.”
“But your mom is a very accommodating woman,” she says, her voice sickly sweet. “I’m sure if you said you didn’t like it, she’d take it down.”
“Who says he doesn’t like it?”
At the sound of Emery’s voice, my stomach drops. I look over just in time to see her turning in her seat. She reminds me of that James Franco GIF where he turns, grinning ear to ear, and then winks. She has nothing but mischief on her face. Of course, she winks at Ava, her eyes full of wicked intentions. “It’s a great picture. We were very happy.”
Ava bristles beside me. “Yes, but you’re his ex. As his fiancée, I don’t appreciate it.”
Emery’s lips curve even higher, and I see the fire she’s about to burst into shining in her gray depths. “You may be his fiancée, but I am his future.”
Well. Fuck. Me.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Emery
If I could bottle the look on Ava’s face, I’d label it: Salty-Ass Bitch.
Her eyes narrow to slits, her cheeks redden, and her mouth parts as if her glare can send me straight to hell. News flash, I already have my ticket to hell, but it isn’t time to punch it yet. I see a lot of emotions in her eyes, mostly anger. It may be wishful thinking, but I think I also see fear in those bright-blue depths.
Interesting.
I don’t look at Quinn. I don’t want to know what his face is showing or what excuse he might try to make. Though, I don’t know that he will. He defended his mom…but she is his mom. She didn’t frame it because the picture is amazing, but because she loves it. As much as my retort may absolutely start a brawl, I believe what I said. I won’t apologize. Even Elli Adler knows I am Quinn’s future.
Ava is a little speed bump.
I’m the whole-ass route.
Before Ava can even utter a word—or a slur, which I think is what she’s going for—the door from the garage flies open, and Evan barrels in. He looks around the room, and a wide grin moves across his lips, his blue eyes flashing with excitement. “Did I miss anything?” he pants, and Shelli waves her arms wildly.
“Shh!”
“Ooh, is it happening?”
“What’s happening?” Callie asks, coming to his side.
“Nothing,” Quinn bites out, but I still don’t chance a glance. Not when my gaze is locked with Ava’s. I don’t know what he sees in her. I was trying to be kind, trying not to tear down a fellow queen, but damn it, this bitch belongs in an ice castle singing “Let it Go.” She is not his type. His type is me, and the sooner he accepts that, the better off we’ll all be. “Everything is fine,” he insists, and I feel him looking at me.
“Are you really going to allow her—”
Quinn cuts her off. “I said, everything is fine,” he repeats. “Mom, isn’t that right?”
Ava looks away then, and yes, I’m a petty little thing because I smile a huge, triumphant grin. When I look at Elli, she’s nodding quickly. “Yes, yes, everyone is here. Let’s eat!”
Dad comes in then, with Shea on his heels. He looks around and then glances back at Shea, as Aiden and Boon appear in the doorway. “I think I’m choking on the tension in here.”
Shea snorts. “I’d think so, with the fiancée, the ex he isn’t over, and my—” Shea’s voice trails off when he notices we’re all in the room. He smiles broadly at us and goes quickly to his wife. Shea kisses her temple before muttering, “Couldn’t tell me they were all here?”
“Couldn’t look around before you further buried our son?” she retorts, setting him with a look. Shea’s brows touch, and he leans in to ask her something. I watch as she turns to whisper in his ear. He looks back at the picture and then at her. He makes a face, and I don’t miss the way he side-eyes Ava.