“It’s not beneath you. It’s proof you care.”
“I don’t want to care this much already.”
“Too late.” I grin. “You’re invested. Admit it.”
“You’re so annoying.”
“You’re deflecting.”
“Same thing.”
But she’s smiling now, and the tension in her shoulders has eased. I pull her close, and she comes willingly, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“For the record…” she mumbles against my chest, “… if she posts another photo, I’m breaking something.”
“Noted.”
“Something expensive.”
“I have insurance.”
She pinches my side, and I laugh, catching her hand.
“Stay,” I say. “Have dinner. Let me prove my risotto skills are genuine.”
“What about Lena?”
“What about her? She’s not here. You are.” I tip her chin up. “And I’d much rather spend tonight with you than waste another second thinking about my ex.”
Ava considers this, then nods slowly. “Okay. But if the risotto is bad, I’m leaving.”
“Deal.”
I kiss her, slowly and thoroughly, and when we break apart, she’s smiling again. The real smile. The one she reserves for moments when her guard is completely down.
“You really cleaned for me?” she asks.
“Vacuumed and everything.”
“That’s kind of adorable.”
“I prefer impressively thoughtful.”
“Nope. Definitely adorable.” She pulls away, heading back to the kitchen. “Come on, feed me before I change my mind.”
I follow, watching her settle onto a barstool, pulling out her phone to silence it. My phone is still on the counter, Lena’s post glowing on the screen.
I pick it up, archive the notification, and block her account.
Should have done it months ago.
Ava watches me, eyebrows raised. “What are you doing?”
“Eliminating distractions.” I pocket the phone. “You’re right, this is beneath both of us. So now it’s handled.”
“You blocked her?”
“Yep.”
