Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Yet that tiny shred of reason within me tells me to let it go. She’s right. As much as I want to – feel like I need to – I can’t have her nailed to me for all eternity. She has to rebuild other parts of her life. I’m just going to have to get used to the nervous breakdowns while she does that.
Chapter 51
Ava
When Jesse pulls up at the kerb, he releases my belt, turning to get me in his sights. ‘Be careful,’ he warns. ‘And I’ll pick you up at this exact spot in a couple of hours.’
‘Okay.’ I barely contain my eye-roll as I lean over and peck his cheek. ‘See you later.’ I slam the door and jog across the road.
‘Don’t run!’ he yells as I turn to face him from the other side of the road. ‘Might shake up the baby.’
I laugh. The man is a nutcase. I spot Zara up the street near Elsie’s and wave as I make my way over. She takes me in a big hug. ‘Is your husband waiting for you?’
I pull out of her embrace and look over my shoulder, seeing Jesse still idling at the kerb. ‘He’s probably checking I get in the building without injuring myself,’ I joke, returning my attention to Zara when he eventually pulls away. ‘He worries about me, and now he’ll be worrying even more.’
‘Why?’
‘We just came from the hospital.’ I take the scan picture from my bag and hold it out, and her blue eyes fall to it. I don’t get the reaction I was expecting, her eyes taking on a sad edge. My proud smile falls. ‘Zara?’ Oh, shit.
She looks up at me, a bit vacant. ‘I’m sorry.’ She shakes herself to life.
‘What’s up?’ I quickly get rid of the picture, concerned.
‘I’m being silly. It’s just, I can’t have children myself.’
‘Oh my God.’ I kick myself hard, moving in to give her a hug. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘It’s not your fault. It’s not mine either, in fact. Just a rare genetic thing that they can’t really explain.’ She embraces my offer of comfort and returns my squeeze. ‘My ex blamed me, hence his handy fists.’
I wince. ‘What an arsehole.’ Pulling away, I push a wet strand off her cheek, and she smiles sadly. ‘You’re happier without him, right?’
‘Of course. My job’s going great, and there’s talk of a promotion already. Things really couldn’t be going better.’
‘That’s fab.’
‘Hey, as a matter of fact, I have a date later,’ she tells me, an excited sparkle in her eyes. ‘I need a dress. Fancy a quick trip to the shops after yoga to help me choose?’
‘Sure.’ I don’t hesitate. She needs me. I’ll call Jesse and let him know. He’ll be fine.
‘Congratulations on the baby, Ava.’ Zara nudges my shoulder, flipping me a genuine smile. ‘You’re clearly so happy.’
‘On Central Jesse Cloud Nine,’ I say without thought, frowning as I do.
‘Sounds like an amazing place to be.’
‘You have no idea.’
Chapter 52
For a Tuesday afternoon, the club is heaving. I wander through the reception area, nodding to people as I go. They all seem surprised to see me. Or are they wondering where Ava is?
I’m just heading upstairs when Sam calls. ‘Hey,’ I answer.
‘Sleeping pills. Where can I get them?’ He sounds urgent.
I smile, hearing the exhaustion in his voice. ‘Do I look like the local dealer?’ John spots me halfway up the stairs, surprise on his face, too, before pulling an about-turn and flanking me on my way up. I point to my phone and mouth ‘Sam,’ making John grin a shit-eating grin. ‘Knocking yourself out isn’t a good idea when there’s a baby around.’
‘Fucking hell, I’ve never been so tired. I’m walking dead. And Kate’s turned into a demon woman.’
I remember those days not too fondly, though we had two to deal with. I don’t point that out. Sam wouldn’t appreciate it. Instead, I do something any decent mate would do. After all, a bit of practice and refreshing my skills would probably do me well, plus Ava will relish in it, I’m sure. ‘Hey, how’d you think Kate would feel about letting us have Betty for the night so you two can catch up on some sleep?’
‘Argh, mate, you’d do that?’ He sounds perkier, just like that, just with the promise of some downtime. ‘She’d be fine.’
‘Hadn’t you ought to ask her first?’ I ask, remembering that first time we left the twins to have a date night. Ava was fine, mind you. It was me who was fretting. I reach the top of the stairs with John, breaking onto the gym floor. I point to Ava’s office and he nods, holding a finger up to indicate he’ll be there in a tick.
‘Trust me, she’ll be fine,’ Sam assures me. ‘And if she isn’t, then I’ll come and stay with you.’