“No, don’t go. She wants to see you. She won’t sleep until she does.”
“Are you sure?” Jade asked.
“Yes, I’m sure,” came Ava’s voice in the direction of the living room. “Stop talking about me behind my back and come in here so I can tell you everything myself. I’ll be pissed if you make me get up.”
“A little moody?” Jade whispered.
Nick’s eyes widened. “God, don’t say that to Ava, she’ll bite your head off,” he whispered back.
They moved into the living room where Ava was lying on the couch with multiple pillows propped behind her back. Jade sat on the chair opposite her friend.
“I’ve been calling you all day. I could have gone into labor and you wouldn’t have known. Then if you’d missed it, it’s your bad luck. Because I’m not doing this again.” Ava tried crossing her arms over her chest but her belly got in the way.
Having the good sense to look chagrined, Jade said, “I’m sorry. I’ve had a full-on day. And I’ve told Nick to message me when the time comes.”
Ava huffed. “Well, it was rude.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” she apologized again.
“I’ll leave you two girls to talk. I’ll be in the office if you need me.” Nate bent and gave Ava a kiss on the lips, and her friend beamed like she was a teenager in love. It was still so weird seeing Ava smitten with a man.
Once Nick left Ava said, “I saw the article. The primary school teacher bagged the rock star, did she?”
“I’m not exactly a teacher anymore.”
Ava frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Toby wasn’t happy about the article. Parents were calling and complaining. It’s not great seeing their children’s teacher with her arse exposed for the world to see and flipping the bird.”
“Toby fired you because of the article?”
“No, he put me on leave because a parent caught me kissing Nate in the hall after music lessons.”
Ava shook her head. “God, Jade, for someone who’s kept a relatively simple life, you sure turned it upside down. Toby can’t be serious about putting you on leave. You’re one of his best teachers.”
“It wasn’t easy for him. I understand he has to appease the parents. I’m supposed to be involved with a musician, but I’m seen kissing the music teacher. It looks bad.”
“Your personal life is personal.”
“Not when it’s splashed in the tabloids. As a teacher, I have a certain image to uphold. And I haven’t done so.”
Ava rubbed her belly. “It still sucks.”
Yeah, it did.
“How does Nate feel about all this?”
“He offered to give up his disguise so they’d leave me alone.”
Ava’s eyes widened. “Wow, that’s a huge sacrifice. He must care a lot about you. Is this turning into something more than a fling?”
Jade’s heart gave a little stutter. She’d done what she promised herself she wouldn’t do—fall in love. But Nate didn’t have the same feelings—he was just being honorable.
Jade averted her gaze and looked at a photo on a side table like it was the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen. “No, it’s nothing like that. He just feels bad that I’m dealing with everything, and he wants to try to fix things.”
“Jade…” Ava’s tone told her she didn’t believe her lie. “You like this guy, don’t you? It’s more than a fling.”
She shook her head.
