Summer snatched her hand out of Ava’s grip, pivoting on her heel to face her. Her face was a blotchy pink from the frustrated tears she tried to hold back.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t upfront about my feelings for Owen since coming back to town. The other night at the bar wasn’t planned. We ran into each other, and one thing led to another, and I was waiting to talk to you until Owen and I settled things.”
“So, you two are back together?”
Ava bit her lip, weighing her words. “We have an agreement. We’re giving it a shot the next six weeks before we decide.”
Summer laughed in disbelief. She turned to look at the pond at the edge of the property, shaking her head. “So, you’ll fuck my brother for six weeks, get him and Avery’s hopes up that you’re staying, then you’ll go back to New York.”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying–”
“So, you’re quitting your job in New York and moving here?”
Ava’s mind spun, unable to keep up with the spiraling conversation. “Well, no. I don’t know yet–”
“Great. Sounds like you two have everything figured out and nobody’s going to get hurt. No wonder you didn’t tell me, because you knew I’d call you out for your half-cocked plan. You never take accountability, Ava. You go around sticking your head in the sand, happy to let everyone else make decisions around you to keep you in the dark so you don’t have to face the consequences of your choices. And I’ve made excuses for you. For years I’ve stood by you, but I can’t let you bring my family down with you.” Summer turned on her heel and marched to her SUV.
Ava hurried after her. “Please, Summer. It’s not like that. I’m trying here. Trying to do what’s best for everyone.”
Summer opened the car door and slipped inside. She looked at Ava over her shoulder, the door poised to slam shut. “Count me out. When you’ve got your shit together, we can talk. In the meantime, I need a break from this friendship. From carrying the weight of our relationship.”
She slammed the door shut and drove away; the wheels screeching from the force of her escape. Ava’s heart pounded in her chest, trying to process Summer’s words. Tears stung the backs of her eyes,Summer’s words piercing the happy bubble she’d been in since her date with Owen. Was she right? Would she only hurt Owen and Avery by giving their relationship a try?
The telltale crunch of gravel announcing someone’s arrival had hope rising in her chest, thinking Summer was turning around and they could talk this out.
Instead, her dad’s old Subaru crept down the drive and pulled to a stop feet away from her. Lucas and Noah exited the car, holding takeout bags from the Early Bird Café.
“You seem to make a habit of pissing off the Fowler siblings,” Lucas drawled.
“Everything okay, Ava? We passed Summer peeling out of here like her hair was on fire,” Noah asked, concern on his face.
Ava sighed, a few tears trickling free. Summer was gone. And she was mad. Ava worried their fight was something that couldn’t be repaired. “She found out about me and Owen,” she sniffed.
“Got it.” Noah threw an arm over her shoulder and walked her toward the cabin. “I’m sure you two will figure it out.”
Ava’s mind raced, turning Summer’s accusations over and over in her head. She wasn’t sure they would figure it out, and the prospect of losing Summer terrified her.
Chapter 27
The Replacement
Owen whistled along to the radio with the windows rolled down in his truck, basking in the early summer afternoon. Avery came home today, Ava had slept in his bed last night, and his contractor had called to say they were ahead of schedule with the plumbing at the bed-and-breakfast.
Life was good for Owen Fowler.
He arrived at the summer camp and cut the engine, eager to lay eyes on his son for the first time in two weeks. His eagerness evaporated at the sight of someone glaring at him through his open window. Tori stood just outside his door, glaring at him with her usual red lips pursed. Her red heels sank into the dirt beneath her—always dressed to impress, even at a kid’s summer camp. Where he found Ava irresistible in red, Tori inspired distaste in him.
He climbed out of the car to get their conversation over with. He’d been avoiding her texts about their impending date. A date that wasn’t happening.
“Good afternoon, Tori,” he tried for a casual greeting.
“We have different definitions of a ‘good’ afternoon, Owen. What the hell were you thinking, taking Ava Hanson on a date to the watermill last night?”
“Excuse me?” Owen’s good mood plummeted.
“The whole town is talking about how your truck was at the trail for the watermill last night, taking some blonde hussy up there. We all know the reputation for that place.”
Owen would’ve laughed at her use of the word ‘hussy’ if he wasn’t so confused by her anger. And offended on Ava’s behalf.
