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She yanks on my hand, so I look at her. “So what? You’re like besties or something?”
“We’re friends, yes.”
Her mouth drops open. “You have friends? Sorry, I mean… Is he like, a passing friend, or a super close friend?”
“He’s likehe came to my mother’s funeral-we’re that closefriend.”
“Oh.” Her eyes soften and the look she gives me makes mychest twinge.
The front door opens and Jay strides out, grabbing me into a back-slapping hug.
“Jet, man. It’s been too long. How was England?”
“Challenging,” I say.
He looks at Ava.
“Hi.” She smiles, looking a little awkward.
“This is Ava. She’s been working with me.”
“Hey, Ava. Nice to meet you.” Jay pulls her into a quick hug. “You guys are staying, right? We’ve just got brunch ready.”
“We can’t intrude.” Ava’s gaze flicks to me as he ushers us inside.
Jay laughs. “My wife’s made enough for a small country. We need all the help we can get.”
Ava’s head swivels side to side as she takes in the impressive beach front house. I recall how excited Jay was to show me this place when he and his wife’s offer was accepted. It’s quite something.
He leads us through the giant kitchen and out the rear doors. There’s a large pool to one side, but he takes us to a dining table on the giant deck, which runs along the width of the property. Malibu beach is behind it, and the ocean stretches out as far as you can see.
“Holy fuck,” Ava murmurs under her breath.
I squeeze her hand before letting go to greet Holly, who spins away from where she’s setting a bowl of blueberries down on the table.
“Jet!” She beams and pulls me into a hug. “Guys, look who it is.”
I nod in greeting to the two guys sitting at the table. “Stefan, Matt. How are you guys? Ava and I thought we’d come say hi to Holly, Jay, and the kids. Didn’t know we’d be getting you two as well.”
They rise from the table, and Matt grabs me into a hug as Stefan pats my upper arm.
“Cheeky,” Matt says. “You know I’m your favorite ex-employee.”
“I heard that,” Holly pipes up.
“You brought company.” Matt’s eyebrows wiggle as he pulls back. “Did he have to pay you to put up with him?”
Holly bats him on the chest.
“He did. But not nearly enough.” Ava smiles.
“I like her,” Matt declares, wrapping his arm around Ava and stealing her from me, leading her down the other end of the table where some drinks are set up. She’s swept up into a conversation between him and his partner, Stefan, and Holly, so I put my jacket on the back of one of the chairs and hang back, watching her relax.
“Who is she?” Jay asks quietly, coming up beside me with his eldest daughter, Summer, in his arms.
“She’s Ava,” I reply.
Jay’s grin turns shit-eating.
