‘For fuck’s sake.’ I don’t get embarrassed, but if I did, my face would be on fire right now.
‘Oh, look.’ Beth’s gaze travels towards the coffee cart where Alex is sidling up to Ava in a fucking Santa suit ready for the race. ‘Alex isn’t afraid of embarrassing himself. You know, I heard he’s a really good runner.’ Beth knows exactly where to poke to get a reaction.
‘Fine.’ I glance down at the ridiculous outfit in my hands.
There’s no way Alex is going to beat me. Not at this race. Not with his annual case statistics, and not when it comes to impressing Ava.
Alex and I have been friends as long as I can remember, but there’s always been a sibling-like rivalry between us. Where my father was absent a lot, his mother was too. It was something we bonded over in our formative years through school, and then later college, many moons ago. The competition between us has always been playful, but ferocious. I know if I truly needed a friend he’d be there. But I also know, if he thought he had half a chance with my woman, he’d probably take that too.
He interprets the saying ‘all is fair in love and war’ literally.
‘I’ll go get Phoebe from Matilda.’ Beth offers.
‘Thanks, I’ll get changed.’ And get my woman away from the second biggest womaniser I know. ‘I’ll meet you back here in two minutes.’
Ava looks up as I stride towards her, grasping a steaming Styrofoam cup. Her entire face lights like Phoebe’s as she spots me. ‘Oh my god, are you entering the race?’
‘I’m going to win the damn thing.’
Alex sniggers from beside me. ‘Not a hope. I beat you in college, and I’ll beat you today.’
I ignore the smug look on his face. ‘Ava, do you mind if Phoebe watches with you? Beth has to sort out the paperwork for the sponsorship.’
‘Sure.’ Ava doesn’t hesitate. In fact, if her tone is anything to go by, she’s thrilled to be asked.
‘She’s over there with Beth.’ I point to Matilda’s car. ‘I’ll just get changed, then I’ll be over in two minutes.’ I press a kiss to Ava’s temple, not just to mark her as mine in front of Alex, but because the urge to touch her overwhelms me.
Ava strides towards Phoebe who whoops in delight at the sight of her.
‘Wow, she’s met your daughter?’ Alex’s eyebrow hitches. ‘Must be serious.’
‘It is.’ Seriously worrying how natural this feels.
Seriously fast how things are moving.
Seriously scary how fast I’m falling for Ava Jackson. Because that’s exactly what’s happening and even as the knowledge terrifies me, it’s exhilarating too.
‘Just be careful, man. You know I love to stir the pot and get your back up, but seriously, you’ve got more than just you to think about.’ His stare flicks to where Phoebe is throwing herself into Ava’s arms.
‘Careful, Alex, anyone would think you care.’
‘For some weird reason, I actually do,’ Alex mutters.
I don’t win the Santa race. But neither does Alex. I beat him by three seconds. It’s enough for me. Especially when my daughter and girlfriend are screaming and clapping at the side of the finish line with Savannah Kingsley, and her twin daughters.
Alex shakes his head as we both pant for breath. ‘You win some you lose some, I guess.’
Today, I feel like a winner. And it has nothing to do with a run and everything to do with the beautiful brunette holding hands with my daughter.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
AVA
Wednesday 13th December
Even though we agreed on baby steps, nothing is infantile about the way this thing is unfolding between Cillian and me.
We spent hours on the phone last night, talking until two a.m. about everything and anything. Tonight, we’re taking Phoebe ice-skating as soon as he gets out of court.
