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“Ex-best friend. And, no, I’m not kidding.” Dean hoped he could keep his lie up. Digging weaknesses out of people and exploiting them was Ava’s specialty. That wouldn’t happen to Emilie again. “We started dating about seven months ago. When did you get engaged?”
Ava’s expression didn’t waver. “Not too long ago.”
No doubt she rushed into things when her money went dry again. “And you’re getting married next month?”
“Yep, when you find someone worthy, you jump in with both feet. We’ve dated on and off for six years. About time we did something about it. You don’t want to waste time if it’s not right, right?”
Dean had said something similar to her the night he broke things off for good over four years ago. “I’m happy for you. He’s the guy you always went to for help anyway.”
Her smirk grated on his nerves. “I guess so. Is that why you came, to add your congratulations to the mix? Or to warn me not to tell Emilie about our little relationship?”
He gritted his teeth. So she wanted to play dirty. “What relationship? If you add the on-again, off-again little ‘episodes,’ they might equal something, but I wouldn’t call it a relationship. Anyway, haven’t you done enough damage to Emilie to last a lifetime?”
At those words, Ava ducked her head. Did she actually feel sorry for those horrible rumors she’d started? But a second later, a familiar evil glint returned to her eyes.
The greasy food from earlier churned in his stomach. She hadn’t changed a bit. When she’d approached him a year after graduation, it had been a relief to talk to someone about Emilie. Long talks about past memories ended with shameful kisses in his truck. The guilt of being with Emilie’s ex-best friend would eat at him for days until Ava popped out of his life again. At first, he told himself he kissed Ava to get revenge on Emilie for leaving, but he’d never been able to tell her, and it was going to stay that way.
He slammed his fist on the table, making the napkins jump. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You aren’t going to breathe a word about our misguided and unfortunate time together in the most unfocused and unmanaged years of my life to anyone, especially Emilie. And you’re going to apologize and make amends if you want her around you. I won’t sit by and see you ruin her name again.”
Ava’s smile teetered on her face. “Or what?”
His hands shook, and he clasped them together to keep her from seeing. “Or else I’ll have a few things to tell Finn. Just focus on being friends with Emilie again.”
Ava’s smile only grew, and an uncomfortable trickle of sweat slid down Dean’s back. If Emilie found out, everything he worked so hard for would be for nothing. She’d never forgive him. When things settled, he’d find the right time to tell her.
“Friends? I’m doing this because Finn asked me to include her and make things right.”
Heat crept up Dean’s neck, filling his cheeks. “You dragged her name through the mud and turned practically the entire senior class against her.”
Ava shrugged. “I still say everything was true. We don’t have proof it wasn’t.”
Trying to talk sense into her was like trying to hook a fish with a strawberry. It wouldn’t happen. He gave an exasperated sigh and turned to leave, but she caught his hand and pulled him toward her bench.
“Emilie and I are going to work things out. She’s valuable to me, so I’m not gonna mess anything up.”
He shifted away from the coffee scent on her breath. “You’re using her?”
Ava’s smile fizzled on her face, replaced by an ugly sneer. “If you want me to stay quiet, don’t mess with me.”
Dean shook his head, no longer willing to converse with her. “And what about Finn? Are you still using him for his money? Do you even love the guy?”
She grabbed his arm with desperation. “It’s been a long time since I felt that way toward Finn. He’s been the only person who’s loved me and I won’t let you ruin this wedding.”
Dean huffed. “I didn’t come to stop you from being with Finn. If you love him, then the problem is solved.”
Her smile returned, though not as confident. “You were always one of the nice ones.”
He shook her hand away. “Have a good evening.”
Hurrying out of the restaurant, he checked his watch. It had only been half an hour since he’d dropped off Emilie at the dance studio, but he already missed her. The last few hours with her had been the breath of fresh air he needed, and he desperately wanted to be the person she needed.
With the studio a few blocks away, he had enough time to blow off some steam with a good rock song. A thrill of excitement rolled through him when he pulled up to the studio and saw Emilie dancing behind the glass window, unaware of anyone but herself. It’d been so long since he’d watched her dance.
After he rolled the windows down, he turned off the truck and let the breeze keep him cool. He was mesmerized by her performance on the dance floor, her ponytail swinging at each turn. She moved gracefully, like a boat on still water. Beautiful.
The last few years, he’d lost his focus. Dating other people meant moving on, and he couldn’t do it. Other than the four solid months they’d been together, he’d turned to Ava more times than he wanted to admit. He’d been stupid, really stupid.
His lids grew heavy after such an early morning, but it had been worth it. Instead of watching her every move, he leaned back in his seat and imagined Emilie dancing from behind closed eyelids.
