Page 44 of Yes, Love

“Thank you. You were amazing tonight.”

“No problem.” I sighed and leaned against the opposite wall. “She’s safe now.”

Dom nodded. “You know that was why I went to meet her today, don’t you?” His eyes pleaded with me. “She needed help. I’ve not been with her behind your back this whole time.”

“I know.” My eyes settled on the floor, and I concentrated on the wood grain to avoid the feelings bubbling up inside of me. I cleared my throat. “Um, it would probably be best for Lucy if you stayed the night so that there’s someone she trusts here when she wakes up. You know where the extra blankets and pillows are and everything. Night.” I headed for the stairs, not daring to turn and see which room Dominic chose to sleep in. Lucy needed him. He loved her. He had every right to climb into bed beside her, but I couldn’t deal with that mental image.

When I reached my bedroom door, I closed it with a sigh and leaned against it. My phone rang in my black Gucci handbag. Jeanie. She was probably livid. I’d just blown off a wildly important event and been photographed with Lucy. I meant to silence the call and deal with Jeanie in the morning, but some subconscious force made me answer.

“Jeanie.”

“Ava! What the actual hell were you thinking? How could you blow off this charity dinner? ARE YOU INSANE?” Jeanie didn’t yell very often. I’d really pissed her off. “LUCY? Why the HELL were you with Lucy Macklemore tonight? The rumors are already spiraling out of control—”

“Jeanie, you’re fired.” I cut her off. “I don’t want to do this bullshit anymore.” I hung up the phone and headed for my bathroom to scrub off my mask.

Twenty Two

Ava

I didn’t want to get out of bed. I couldn’t walk down those stairs and see them together. I couldn’t move. It hurt to breathe like someone was sitting on my chest.

But I rolled over anyway. I dragged my ass to the shower, got dressed, donned a heavy mask of makeup, and headed down to my kitchen.

Dominic and Lucy were already sitting at my custom, pure-white dining table with steaming mugs. Cute. He knew exactly how she liked her tea, didn’t he? And the pajamas I’d loaned Lucy last night were at least a size too small. They made her breasts and legs look even sexier. I glued on my brightest, fakest smile. “Good morning! How did you guys sleep?”

“Like shit.” Dominic gave me a searching look.

“Fine, thanks,” Lucy mumbled, still staring at the table. Finally, she glanced up at me. “Ava, I’m so sorry. This must be so odd to have your boyfriend’s ex in your house. And I’m wearing your pajamas.”

I blinked in surprise, my smile faltering. My boyfriend? Had Dominic not told her it was all a PR stunt? Maybe he didn’t get a chance before I came down and interrupted their conversation. I’d do him a favor and set it straight. She should know that the world’s sweetest, sexiest man was still available. “Lucy, don’t even worry about it. He’s not… we’re not…” I took a deep breath. “It was all arranged by our publicists to boost our popularity. You literally have nothing to be sorry about.”

I could feel Dom’s eyes on me, but I couldn’t look at him. I kept my gaze on Lucy. I could see the bruising on her wrists now. She slid her arms off the table when she caught me looking.

“Sorry,” I said. “Um, I’m gonna head out and give you guys some space, but Lucy, Will is a fucking asshole, and you can’t blame yourself for anything he did. It just as easily could have been me in your place.” I grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl on my counter. “Help yourselves to anything you need — food, beds, showers. I’ll be out most of the day, but you can stay as long as you need.” I steadfastly avoided Dominic’s gaze and headed straight for my front door. I had nowhere to go. I’d just fired my publicist and canceled my promotions for the day.

“Thank you,” Lucy called after me. Fuck. Her accent was so cute! It was like a mix of Scottish and British.

“Ava.” Dominic’s hand rested on my shoulder right before I escaped. He’d followed me down the hall.

“Yeah?” I gave him the fake smile he hated. I didn’t do it on purpose. I couldn’t be real with him right now. Real was too painful.

“Can we talk when you get back?”

“Of course! See you soon, lover—” I bit my lip and turned away from him. I couldn’t even jokingly call him lover boy anymore. It felt wrong now. “Take care of Lucy, okay? She needs it.” I hurried out the door before he could say anything else.

Don’t cry, stupid. Don’t. Cry.

I cried as I slid behind the wheel of my car and peeled out of my driveway. I cried because I loved Dominic. I cried for Lucy and all that she’d been through, and I cried because my brain was screaming at me for being so stupid and unloveable.

I pulled over at a random little park alongside Lake Washington, and ugly cried into my steering wheel. A group of jogging women passed by my car, unaware of me and my pathetic little breakdown. I lifted my head and watched their retreating backs, ponytails flinging as they ran. One of them spoke, and the other two laughed.

They looked so fucking happy.

What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t my brain stay happy? Why did every little thing have to feel heavy?

I pulled out my phone, ready to text my therapist and ask for stronger meds. I wanted to feel completely numb. I was about to click on Dr. Courtney’s name in my contacts, but my eyes settled on Sienna’s right below it. My finger hovered above my best friend’s name. I wanted to talk to her about all of this. I wanted her sarcasm and wisdom.

She’s busy. She doesn’t want to talk to you.

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