Page 37 of Yes, Love

“Well fuck them for making you feel stupid.” Dominic still drew lazy circles on my leg. It was eerily similar to something a real boyfriend would do. Don’t, Ava.

“Or… go with me here. All three of us fucked up, and we’re adults now that should be able to forgive each other.” Sienna and I were making an honest effort to do just that. It would be awesome if Evan and I could stop acting weird, too. They were a package deal now. If I wanted Sienna in my life, and I did, then Evan had to be in my life.

Dominic shrugged and removed his hand from my leg, much to my disappointment. “So you don’t want me to be cold to them?”

I laughed and shook my head. “No. I need help dispelling the awkwardness, not adding to it. Just try not to fall in love with Sienna. That’s all I ask.”

Dominic burst out laughing. “I’ve got enough confusion with my feelings at the moment. No need to add another woman to the mix.”

My heart raced, and my palms started sweating. He had some confusion with his feelings? About me? About Lucy? “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. You missed your exit.” He pointed to the freeway exit I’d just blown past.

“Shit!”

We were only fifteen minutes late to dinner, but I was far more concerned with what Dominic said in the car about his feelings. He’d expertly changed the subject after I missed my exit, and I remained unsure how to bring it up again.

“Right, so I should make a play for your married friend?” Dom grinned at me as we headed into the small Italian restaurant.

I shot him a glare, and he slid his arm around my waist. “I’m only joking. She knows about our arrangement, but he doesn’t, correct?”

“Yep.” I could already feel pairs of eyes on us as we made our way to Sienna and Evan. They had their backs to us, and Sienna’s gorgeous hair sparked a familiar flare of envy. It was so shiny and thick, and it had this beautiful natural auburn tint. It also cascaded perfectly down her back and around her shoulders with minimal effort. I knew because I’d seen her roll out of bed with perfect fucking hair a thousand times.

Dom leaned over and whispered. “Ava, you look beautiful. I don’t know if I’ve told you that enough times today.”

His words stopped me in my tracks. How did he know? How did he know I needed that little bit of reassurance right in this exact moment? “Thank you.” I gave him a soft smile and took his hand in mine as we made our way to the table.

Evan spotted us first and stood to shake Dominic’s hand. “Hey, man! Good to meet you.” When he turned to me, that familiar awkwardness settled between us. He gave me a stiff smile. “Ava, how’s it going?”

Sienna saved me from accidentally doing my fake laugh by throwing her arms around me. “Aves! God-damn-it, you look so hot in that little black dress!” She turned to Dominic next and hugged him, too. “Dominic Ellis. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to meet you finally.” Sienna gave him a mischievous smile, and I shot her a warning look. She better not make this awkward. I suddenly cared very much about Dominic enjoying this dinner.

I cared too much. This game was getting dangerous.

Nineteen

Dominic

Sienna was pretty. I’d give her that. But she wasn’t the type to turn my head, not when I had Ava by my side. But then, I didn’t really have her, did I? I watched Ava through dinner and adored the sparkle in her eyes when she talked with her best friend. I relished the sound of her real laugh and the way her shoulders slowly relaxed the longer we sat.

What if we didn’t end things in two months? What if we kept this going?

I took Ava’s delicate hand in mine under the table. She paused her story about the bitchy photographer she’d worked with yesterday to give me a shy little smile. Stunning. I wanted all of her smiles. I’d never tire of them.

I glanced across the table at Evan. He looked brilliantly uncomfortable. Good.

When Ava finished her story, Sienna stood. “I have to use the bathroom. I’m only ten weeks pregnant, but I feel like I already have to pee every hour.” She laughed and tossed her long dark hair over her shoulder. “Sorry. TMI.”

With Sienna gone, I felt Ava freeze up at my side. Evan stared at his plate, and an awful awkwardness settled over the table.

“So…” Ava blew out a heavy breath, her voice hitching up almost a full octave. “This place is so cute! Do you and Sienna come here a lot?”

Evan glanced up and straightened in his chair. “Uh, no. We’re usually slammed at the bar. We actually hardly ever go out. Sienna just thought you’d like this place because they have a lot of vegetarian options.”

And there was Ava’s fake little laugh. “Oh my god, she’s the sweetest!”

“Yeah.” Evan nodded and cast his eyes back down.

Silence resumed.

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