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“Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard your whole spiel already. Save it for someone who gives a shit.” My frustration is getting the best of me, and I know better than to continue arguing with him.
“If we’re done here, I’d like to return to my date,” I say as I look him right in the eye. I’m hoping to see a glimmer of something, but I don’t know why I care.
“We’re done here. I’ll see you at the office on Monday. Enjoy your date,” he says, practically growling out the final words.
We part ways, and I head back to where Logan is standing at the bar. Chancing a glance in the direction Parker stormed off, I see him heading toward the venue’s exit. For some reason, my stomach drops slightly, knowing he’s gone for the night.
Plastering on a smile that no longer feels natural, I continue toward Logan. A grin breaks out on his face as I approach. Tucking away his phone, he grabs my new glass of champagne and raises it to me.
You assume you were his first choice.
Eight
“I'm so glad you could make it this weekend,” Quinn says, embracing me in a big hug.
“I wouldn’t miss these little munchkins’ first birthday for anything.” No sooner are the words out of my mouth does Eli come to greet me with the twins in each of his arms.
“Glad you returned him in one piece,” Quinn teases.
“Who you are kidding, we talked about the girls for most of the night.”
Eli met me at my hotel in downtown Charlotte last night to catch up before the madness of the party.
The girls are trying to wiggle free from his arms, desperate to go wreak havoc on the rodeo-themed party decorations.
I take a good look around and smile at the over-the-top décor. But in all honesty, I wouldn’t expect anything else from Quinn, especially when it comes to Sophie and Addy.
“What time is everyone coming?
Eli peeks at the clock. “I’d say within the next hour or so.”
“What can I do to help…”
Addy lunges out of Eli’s arms toward Quinn, and I think my heart almost stops for a minute. Little gremlins always seeking out ways to scare the ever-living shit out of the adults.
Eli wrangles her in quickly, then turns to me. “Actually there’re a few more outdoor decorations that need to be hung up. Would you mind helping with that?”
“Sure, no problem,” I say as I make my way to the back doors.
“Perfect, Ava knows what needs to be done!” Eli yells after my retreating form.
Of course. For some fucked-up reason, the universe loves throwing her in my face as often as it can.
It's bad enough I had to see Logan’s arm around her all night at the Bryant & Co. dinner last Friday. Right after the best sex of my life at Masqued just the week before. I wanted to break his fucking arm every time it slid down her exposed back. It's my damn fault, though. I turned her down, again. And from the devastated look on her face, that was officially the last shot I had with her. There’s only so much disappointment someone can take before they give up on you.
As much as I hate to admit it, it’s better this way. I'm not here for anything serious. I learned a long time ago I wasn’t meant for that. And from what I can tell, Ava is on the hunt for something deeper than just sex. It just kills me to know that she’s the only person to hold my attention these past few years, but I can’t bring myself to offer her more.
I find the current thorn in my side wrestling a string of balloons near the front gate. She’s so distracted by the escaping balloons that she doesn’t notice my presence.
Her body freezes at the sound of me clearing my throat.
“Looks like you could use some saving,” I tease, not able to stop my smirk.
“You’re the last person I’d ask to save me,” Ava quips. Her tone causes my dick to twitch.
“Why’s that? I always thought I’d make a great knight in shining armor.”
Her scoff is followed by a glare. So I continue. “Unfortunately for you, Eli has tasked me with helping you. What are we doing?”
