She arched an eyebrow, and her eyes took on that teasing glint I was familiar with. “Uh-huh. Please call me Ava, and aren’t you like fifteen?”
Jaden took no offense. He laughed. “She’s got jokes. I'm thinking we're going to have a great time working together, Ava. By the way, I’m legal, so…” He got that silly grin he always got when he was ready to flirt.
“Alright, that’s enough,” I cut in, tired of their banter. I didn’t want Jaden getting too comfortable with the journalist so soon. I studied Ava through narrowed eyes. I didn’t know if I could trust her yet…
“Jaden, why don’t you get back to your guests?” I suggested. “Tonight is just for you two to meet. I’ll have a chat with Miss Montgomery somewhere we don’t have to shout over the music.”
Jaden smiled at Ava. “It was good meeting you, Ava. I guess we’ll talk more another time. Welcome again and enjoy the party. If you need anything, give me a shout.”
Ava nodded. “I will.”
Jaden took off, leaving us to watch each other warily.
Ava plucked a notepad from her bag and scribbled on it.
My eyes narrowed to slits. “What are you recording already? This was just an introduction.” I might have sounded too hostile, because despite my shock after seeing her again, I still didn’t like any media personnel.
She hit me with a cold stare and turned her notepad to me. “If you must know.”
Written in bold, neat letters was:
First impression: Funny. Total sweetheart.
“Oh…”
She lifted a mocking eyebrow.
Clearing my throat, I said, “How about we go somewhere quieter?”
“Is a conversation between us necessary? I’m here for Jaden.”
I gritted my teeth. “Seeing as I arranged all this, yes. Follow me.”
Her reluctance was practically palpable as I led her up the stairs to the quietest spot I could find. It turned out to be a guest bedroom on the opposite side of the backyard, where the music was.
Ava stepped inside and froze. We both did, as if we’d discovered the ghost of our past sitting on the bed just waiting to be acknowledged. I noticed the way she crossed her arms as if she needed a barrier between us.
For a moment, I couldn’t speak, couldn’t think of what to say. So, I just stared at her. God, she was beautiful. More than she was when we were kids, if that were possible. Her heart-shaped face still gave her an innocent air. Her skin was like fine porcelain with a scatter of freckles across the bridge of her nose that she hated, but I worshiped. She wore her wavy tresses shorter now, at shoulder length rather than mid-back. She was still lean with soft curves that I once took pleasure in exploring. But now those curves were more… mature.
I dragged my eyes away from her to regain my composure after my blast from the past.
She spoke first. “I can’t believe this.”
My gaze jumped back to her. “What?”
“You. Here. I…”
I pressed my arms over my chest because maybe I needed a barrier between us, too. “That’s the thing.Whatare you doing here?”
Her eyes flashed with annoyance. “I thought I made that clear downstairs. Springfield Sentinel.” She pointed at herself. “Journalist.”
My molars clamped together. “What the hell happened to Walt? Allan said some guy named Walt was coming.Youare not Walt.” I realized my tone was on the rise because, honestly, I didn’t know how to handle this unexpected reunion.
She snorted. “Clearly. You heard Jaden. I’m muchfiner.”
She still had that sassiness about her, I see. A comeback was always on the tip of her tongue. When I continued to stare at her, she sighed and explained. “Walt couldn’t make it. I’m a last-minute change. What is this? Do you not want me here because I’m not a sports-loving he-man? Because that would make you?—”
“Of course not… I just…” My hands dropped to my sides. “I haven’t seen you in…”
