As I drove home, thoughts about texting her swirled within me. Was she feeling better? What had she been up to? I tried to follow her social media accounts for the past year, but she rarely posted on them.
Stop it.
I should let her move on. I was the one who broke things off. Despite that, I couldn’t move on from Ava. No man could move on after being with her. Justlookat her—beautiful and strong. She consumed me through and through.
Arriving home, I pulled into my car garage, and my phone rang. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to Sierra, my ex-fiancée. But if I didn’t pick up, my phone would continue ringing.
“Hi Sierra.” I entered my kitchen.
“Austin, my love. Have you thought things over?”
I pinched the space between my eyebrows, trying to ease the tension. Concern for Ava and irritation with Sierra stirred in me. Sierra should move on. There were no emotions between us. Our arranged engagement lasted one month. It took me that month to convince my father I’d never go along with his insane idea. Thinking about the situation increased my blood pressure, so I shoved it away.
“There’s nothing to think about, Sierra. There’s nothing between us.”
“You’re wrong about that. I’ve always wanted you. That’s why I asked my father to propose the engagement. We’re perfect for each other, Austin. My family can help your family.”
Frustration boiled inside me. “So it was your idea for the engagement?”
“You’re better off with me than your ex, who works for the city. She can’t help you.” Sierra sighed as though she were losing her patience with me. “My father knew I wanted you, so he helped me. I always get what I want.”
Sierra Montage was the epitome of a privileged woman who didn’t want to accept anything that went against her needs. A spoiled brat who kept being spoiled.
“There’s nothing wrong with a city job. Ava is excellent at what she does,” I said between clenched teeth. “We are done, Sierra. Accept it. Move on, because I have.”
“You have? Who is she?” she demanded.
“That’s not important. What’s important is that you need to stop contacting me.” I strode over to the medicine cabinet, popped two painkillers into my mouth, and gulped them down with a glass of water. “Ask your father to arrange a relationship with a man who’s interested. I’ve got to go.”
I hung up, walked over to the living room, and dropped onto the couch. Sierra didn’t have to work—would never have to work for the rest of her life. Everything was provided for her. Ava worked hard toward her dreams. I felt honored that she once shared them with me.
I take Ava’s hands in mine as we walk down a retail strip with a flower shop, pet store, hair salon, and a coffee shop.
“That apple tart looks delicious.” She drags me into the bakery. We buy coffee, an apple tart, and an almond croissant. She breaks off a piece of the apple tart and feeds me. “What do you think?”
I shrug. “Okay.”
Then she bites a piece and sighs. “What do you mean? It’s delicious.”
“Your sweet bread is better.”
She smiles, and my heart swells. “You’re only saying that because I’m your girlfriend and you get free bread from me.”
I laugh. “Having a talented girlfriend who can make heavenly bread is a perk. But seriously, your bread and pastries are amazing! Everyone who has tried them agrees. Remember that time you made a tray of animal-shaped breads for me to bring to my meeting?”
She grins. “They were fun to make.”
“People loved the bunny breads. They wanted to place orders, but you didn’t have time to make them.”
She leans into me, and her floral perfume makes me want to take her back to my place and devour her.
“I’ve been saving money to open a small bakery,” she says. “No one knows about this but you. So keep it mum, okay?” She places a finger on my lips.
I grip her finger and kiss it. “How much do you need? I can help.”
Her face brightens. “No. Save your money to help your family business. But thanks.”
I loved that she cared about my family’s real estate business. At that time, Tanner Properties suffered multiple losses because my father made some awful investments. I had promised myself once I got my business back on track, I’d help Ava attain her dream.
