Avery beamed at his mom’s praise.
“Hey ladies, we thought it was the two of you out here on the dock. Avery couldn’t stop himself from swimming out to say hi.” Madeline smiled at them and sat next to Avery. This also meant she was sitting in front of Ava.
Just my luck.
“We’re having a lake day. Ava needed a break after her foot lost a fight with her stairs this morning. You remember Ava from yesterday, right?”
Ava resisted the urge to side-eye her best friend. Nobody could forget the awkward encounter at the café.
“Of course. Famous Ava. What happened to your foot?” Madeline’s eyes widened in concern. She glanced at Ava’s feet crossed on the deck.
Famous Ava?
Ava straightened and pulled her knees to her chest in an unconscious response. She couldn’t help but compare her navy one-piece, designed to cinch in the waist, to the skin on display with Madeline’s bikini. She was all about supporting women, but a small voice in her head whispered comparisons of Madeline’s flat stomach and toned arms to Ava’s generous hips and thigh dips.
Aside from their freckles, which Avery must’ve gotten from his mom, Madeline was the opposite of Ava with her lean build and wild curls.
“A stair gave way under my foot. Luckily, it was the second to last step, so I didn’t go too far.” Ava tried to force a chuckle, but it dried in her throat.
“Jeezum, glad you didn’t take a tumble down the stairs. That could’ve been bad.”
Ava considered Madeline’s words. She seemed genuine. Nice even. But Owen’s wife being nice put Ava off-center, like she was walking on wobbly legs after a roller coaster ride. Maybe she was overthinking it and should be grateful to have a cordial conversation with her ex’s wife. It was better than the alternative.
“I accidentally broke one of the porch steps one time when I jumped on it too hard. Dad fixed it. He can probably fix yours, too. He fixes stuff all the time,” Avery said. His hand kept digging in the trail mix in the hope Summer hadn’t eaten all the chocolate.
Summer smiled in amusement. Ava could discern the sparkle in her eye with certainty. She was about to stir up trouble.
“You’re right, squirt. Your dad knows how to fix stuff. I bet he’d be willing to lend a hand,” Summer said.
Ava glanced at Madeline, but she was fighting to contain a smile.
“I’m sure he could be persuaded,” Madeline replied.
Confusion swamped Ava at their exchange. What in the ever-loving hell was going on?
“Anyway, how much longer are you in town for, Maddy?” Summer asked.
Avery answered before Madeline could. “Mom’s here until Friday.”
Avery’s face lit up with excitement, and he grinned at Madeline. It was obvious how much he adored his mom. A pang of longing pierced Ava’s chest. A sharp and sudden reminder of what she didn’t have.
Ava tore her gaze away, but something about Summer’s question bugged her.
“Why are you here until Friday? Don’t you live here?” Ava winced and tried to correct herself. “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business.”
Madeline waved her off. “Owen didn’t tell you? I don’t live in Cedar Falls. Gotta get back to work after this week. It’s busy season for white-water rafting guides this time of year.” Madeline tipped her head down and tapped the bill of her hat so Ava could read the logo.
Splash Tours River Rafting.
Her mind reeled with the information. She had a hard time imagining Owen in a long-distance marriage. The long distance of their relationship, in part, had contributed to their own split. Their end goal had been for Ava to move to Cedar Falls after college so they could be together. Then their pregnancy scare brought their plans to a halt.
Avery pulled her attention to the present.
“Mom has the coolest jobs. In the summer, she’s a raft and ATV guide. When it gets cold, she works at a ski resort. It’s awesome all the stuff she gets to do.”
“That’s right, kiddo.” Madeline threw an arm around Avery and tugged him into a side hug. “I’m all over Maine during the year. Can never stay in one place. Blame my wanderlust.”
Ava drew a blank on how to respond. Instead, she smiled, hoping it didn’t come across as awkward.
