Chapter 3

• Ava's POV
• The phone screen lit up, went dark, then lit up again—texts.
• Ava, what do you mean? Call me back.
• Ava, don’t make a scene. I really drank too much.
• Ava, are you still mad? I’ll apologize, okay?
• Ava?
• Ava!
• I stared at the messages. Didn’t reply to a single one and blocked him.
• The next morning, when I got to the office, a bunch of people were crowded around the break room.
• Emma’s voice floated out, syrupy sweet.
• “Lucas gave me this necklace last night,” she said out loud. “He said only I could pull off this design.” And as if she wasn't content to show off, she added, “I didn't even try. He just bought it for me…”
• I walked past with my coffee and glanced over.
• It was a butterfly-shaped ruby necklace. I knew that necklace. Three months ago, Lucas and I passed by a jewelry store. I looked at it a couple of times. He said, “Too flashy. Not for you.”
• Then he dragged me away.
• Now, that necklace hung around Emma’s neck.
• She saw me, eyes lighting up, voice shooting a few notches higher.
• “Oh wow, Ava’s here.” She waved. “Look—don’t you think this necklace is gorgeous?”
• I didn't respond, determined not to let her see any crack, and let her continue.
• “Lucas got drunk last night and insisted on buying it for me.” She grinned. “He said he had to.”
• Emma was still talking. Why make a fuss over such a necklace?
• “Isn't he silly?" she teased.
• Everyone was watching me.
• Waiting to see my reaction.
• Waiting for me to get jealous.
• Waiting for me to blow up.
• Then Emma could feign hurt and say, “Ava, I didn’t mean it, don’t be mad…”
• I looked at her, emotion swirling inside me, then suddenly smiled.
• “It’s pretty," I said casually. “Suits you.”
• I walked off with my coffee, a sense of relief flickering as I left Emma standing there, stunned.
• ...
• At ten in the morning, I was in the pantry filling my water bottle when the door swung open. Lucas walked in and shut it behind him.
• “Ava, we need to talk.”
• I twisted the cap on. “Mr. Carter, what can I do for you?”
• He frowned. “Can you not call me that?”
• “Why not?” I looked at him. “You’re the general manager. I’m an employee. What’s wrong with calling you Mr. Carter?”
• “Ava!”
• He drew a deep breath and dropped his voice. “How long are you going to keep this up?”
• “I called you last night. You didn’t pick up, fine, but then you blocked me?”
• He raised a brow. “Do you think I’m not chasing you hard enough, so you’re doing this on purpose?”
• I stared at him.
• His face basically said, 'Are you done throwing a fit?'
• He didn’t think he’d done a damn thing wrong.
• In his eyes, my anger was me making a scene. My departure was me pouting. My engagement news was me trying to force him to cave.
• He’s up on a pedestal, and I was supposed to be grateful.
• “About last night, let me explain.”
• His tone softened. “I went to see Emma. She’s been in a bad mood lately, so I kept her company.”
• And there he was… clearing his name. “I didn’t go out of my way to buy. We passed by, she liked it, so I got it.”
• “Ava, I know it bothers you, but can you be a little more generous about it?”
• Ah, of course, he'd choose a side.
• “Emma’s been my little sister since we were little. It’s on me to take care of her.”
• Wow, he really thought he was the hero in the story.
• “You’re my girlfriend. Just understand, okay?” he nudged.
• And then, he said something again that I knew he'd break, “I’ll take you to the beach this weekend. Make it up to you.”
• I almost laughed. He looked like I’d already compromised.
• “Mr. Carter…”
• I reminded him, “We already broke up.”
• “Who you take on vacation has nothing to do with me,” I told him firmly.
• “Who you buy necklaces for has nothing to do with me, either,” I added.
• “I’m getting married on the twenty-eighth next month. Invitations are already out.” I made sure to sound proud about it.
• “If you come, you’re welcome. If you don’t, that’s fine, too.”