Page 18 of Revenge

“No, well, from the bus stop. Sorry I’m late.”

“You’re only ten minutes late. Take a breath.” She smiles.

“I swear this baby’s mission is to keep me awake at night. Then in the morning, I don’t want to get up.” I set my purse behind the counter.

“Wait until you’re waking every few hours for a feeding,” she teases.

“Good thing I have time to prepare myself for that,” I say with a grimace.

I told Maddie about the baby a couple of weeks ago. Well, she figured it out. I guess running to the bathroom to puke or pee every twenty minutes gave me up. I’m happy she knows. I have enough on my plate without the stress of hiding my pregnancy from my boss.

It’s Tuesday, is typically our slowest day of the week, which is nice. These days I rejoice in the boring. In the last six months, my life has been filled with enough drama to last me a lifetime. Now I’m perfectly content with the life I’m building for myself. No Manarchs and far from my dad’s gambling. I’ve finally achieved some sort of peace, and I would like to keep it.

I spend a few hours cleaning the boutique and switching the old collections with new ones. It’s my happy place as I get to lose myself in a mundane task. I think Maddie secretly gives me that job because she knows I love it. It makes the day fly. But the truth is, I don’t think about anything other than the task. At least while I’m at work.

If I’m honest, it’s hard not talking with Viktor. Granted, it’s my choice, but it’s one of the hardest choices I’ve made in a long time, if ever. Holding onto the notion of what could have been will change nothing. He’s married, and I know I have to move on. I need to focus on my baby and not Viktor. But it seems impossible. I’m not sure I will ever be able to move on.

“Ava,” Maddie calls.

“Hey.”

“Are you okay?” She asks with concern.

“Yes, why?” I ask curiously.

“I’ve been trying to get your attention. You would tell me if something isn’t okay, right?” she asks in a motherly voice.

“Of course.”

“Good. I was asking if you wanted something from the diner.”

“What time is it?”

“Lunchtime.”

“Wow, where has the time gone?” We laugh. “Fries and a milkshake would be great.” I grab my purse from the counter.

“You better not be going for money,” she teases. “What flavor milkshake do you want?”

“Chocolate, please,” I say with a smile.

“Anything else?”

“No, thank you.”

“I’ll be quick,” she says, already at the door.

“No rush. It’s not like we’re busy,” I say as I look around the boutique.

“Don’t be a smartass,” she quips, and I laugh.

She leaves, and I’m back with my thoughts. I don’t know why, but I think of Tina and wonder what sort of trouble she’s getting into. On a day like today, she would come over and drag me into one of her schemes. I miss my time with her. Besides dad and Viktor, she’s the closest I’ve got to family. As wild and crazy as she is, her heart has always been in the right place. I’m moving some purses on the display when the chime of the door gets my attention.

“That was fast, Maddie.”

“Last I checked, my name isn’t Maddie.” I look up, frozen in place. It can’t be. How is Fiona here? How did she find me? Jesus, I can’t get a break.

“What are you doing here?”

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