I waited until Jaden disappeared before turning to Ava with a frown. “Did you seriously just deny knowing me?”
She folded her arms, her posture defensive. “Technically, it’s not a lie. I really don’t know you anymore, do I? I haven’t seen you in over a decade.”
I just stared at her and shook my head slowly. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes as she eased off the stool to put her shoes back on. She then turned to face me so she could scowl at me from a more direct angle. “What would be the point in telling Jaden or anyone else about us? We’re ancient history.”
Suddenly feeling defensive about our past—because it meant something to me—I murmured. “I wouldn’t sayancienthistory.”
“Well, there’s nothing relevant enough to share. We were stupid kids.”
The words hit me like a stinging slap in the face. It impacted me so much that I rounded the counter without thinking. I had to look at her face. Really look at her. There was no way she could have meant that.Not relevant enough?
“Do you really mean that? We were… irrelevant?”
Ava’s eyes collided with mine. They widened slightly, as if she were startled that I’d asked her. She didn’t answer right away. Her lips parted, but no sound came. I could see the defiant set of her jaw—the way she tried to play tough. But it was slipping. I could see the walls crumbling right there in her expressive eyes. I knew that look. Istillknew her. We’d never be the strangers she so desperately wanted us to be.
Finally, she broke. Her gaze skated away. “No, but…you’rethe one who called it nothing but a fling, Lincoln.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Her words punched me in the gut. I said some stupid things back then, for sure. “Ava, I didn’t?—”
“It was a long time ago, Lincoln.”
Her tone told me she wanted to stop talking about the past.
We got quiet again. It got so awkward that I put my foot in my mouth once again. Apparently, my brain didn’t function properly in Ava’s presence.
“You seemed comfortable when I arrived earlier. Here. In Jaden's house.”
Her eyebrows climbed toward her hairline. “What’s your point?”
“Aren’t you… engaged?” Saying that word made me nauseous.
She stared at me, her eyebrows descending into a frown. “What are you…?” She scoffed. “For goodness’s sake, Lincoln.” She glanced over her shoulder and hissed, “Are you actually jealous? He’s twenty years old.”
My face almost caught fire. “I… jealousy has nothing to do…” Denial could be a disease.
“Then why bring up my engagement? That’s ridiculous. You’re ridiculous.”
I pursed my lips because I couldn't deny it. I felt like an idiot.
“Yeah, I got comfortable talking with him. He’s a sweet kid, and I’m doing myjob.”
She’d inched closer, but only so she could jab me in the chest with her angry finger of reprimand. I got caught up in the moment, in the past, really. Ava, with her eyes sparking fire. That hot temper of hers was on the rise… her lips formed that pout they always did when she was pissed at me…
“I can’t believe you’d imply?—”
“Will you be quiet, woman?” I growled.
I kissed her.
Maybe I was a masochist because I expected a knee in my nutsack at any moment, but I deepened the kiss anyway. Our mouths clashed in a rhythm riddled with twelve years ofresentment, tension, and regret. She kissed me back with fervor, but only for a hot second before she pushed me away.
I immediately stepped back.
Our harsh breathing filled the silence. She gazed at me wide-eyed, and it sank in what I had done. Why in God’s name would I kiss her? She had a fiancé. She must have thought I was the biggest asshole on the planet.
“Shit. Ava, I’m so sorry.” I held up my palms as if I’d been busted by the law for a crime. “I didn’t…” I didn’tthink. “I know you have a fiancé… I didn’t mean to disrespect your relationship.”
