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“Don’t go getting ideas.”
“I said nothing.” His grin widens. “But you’ve never brought a woman here before.”
“Hey, gorgeous girl. You got a cuddle for your favorite godfather?” I hold my arms out to Summer,ignoring Jay. He hands her over, and she wraps her little arms around my neck, planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek.
“Jet gone long time,” she says.
I stroke her blonde hair and look into her wide, innocent eyes. “I went away on a plane to do some work.”
“Like Mommy.” Her face lights up.
“Yeah, like Mummy. She was one of our best flight attendants until your daddy stole her.”
“Not sorry.” Jay laughs.
“I heard that!” Matt yells from the other end of the table. “You mean second best flight attendant.”
“I know what I meant,” I reply.
My eyes move to Ava. She’s got an easy smile on her face as she looks at me holding Summer in my arms.
“She’s so sweet,” she says to Holly.
“Don’t let her cuteness fool you, she’s a monkey.”
Summer giggles as Holly walks over and swoops down on her, lifting her from my arms. “And her little sister is an even bigger handful.”
“Sydney napping,” Summer says seriously. “She a baby.”
Holly puts Summer into her highchair and waves her hand around the table. “Sit. Eat.”
I pull out a chair for Ava and she hovers. Matt drops into a seat beside Stefan, followed by Holly, then Jay.
“Sit,” I say softly so onlyshe can hear.
She glances at me and then sinks into the seat. I sit beside her and put my hand on her thigh under the table, feeling her leg relax as I give it a gentle squeeze.
We sit for hours, catching up. Jay’s just been cast as the lead in a new action film. He’s buzzing about working with director, Trent Forde, who’s known as the king of special effects. And Matt gets me up to speed on how the events planning company he’s set up since moving from London to LA is going.
“I know you’re still mourning my loss.” He winks at me as he rests his elbows on the table, mindlessly spinning his wedding band.
“Of course,” I say without emotion, causing him to narrow his eyes as the rest of the table laugh.
He shakes his head with a smile.
“So how long have you worked at Atlantic Airways, Ava?” Jay asks.
“Oh, I don’t work at the airline.” Ava sips on her water. “I live in London. I’ve just been helping on a project. It’s short-term.”
“A project,” Matt echoes, his brows rising in my direction. “So you’ll be heading home soon, then?”
“I guess. Although I’m in no rush to leave. My mum lives here.”
“Your mum?” Holly asks.
“Zena Hamilton.” Ava’s entire face lights up as she says her name. “She’s an actress.”
Holly and Matt look blank, but recognition flashes over Stefan and Jay’s faces.
