Page 4 of The Charming Checklist
Her family, of course, would say otherwise. Besides conquering her little slice of pie in the world, they expected her to marry an educated and highly successful man.
Ava’s phone rang in her purse. The theme fromJaws, so this would be Mom calling, Dr. Katherine Long.
“I better take this.” She pulled out her phone. “Hi, Mom.”
“Your father made reservations at Le Oranguan for Saturday night, six o’clock.”
As usual her parents were going to splurge on dinner. That rooftop restaurant was the most expensive in town. It wasn’t so much Ava her parents were trying to impress as complete strangers. They’d order the most expensive bottle of champagne and begin toasting the year’s accomplishments thus far.
“That’s an expensive restaurant.”
“Only the best for my only daughter.”
“But, Mom, I’m—”
“Stop. It’s decided, and must you argue with me about everything?”
“I don’t argue about everything!” And yes, she realized the irony of arguing over this.
“Any more thoughts on taking the LSAT? You’d ace the testandlaw school. Lots of great chances to use those amazing argumentative skills.”
“I told you, Mom. Iwantto be an entrepreneur.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re still stuck on that coffee shop idea.”
“It’s not an idea. It’s a plan.”
“It’s as if you don’t even remember that your father is a cardiac surgeon. Coffee puts your heart in a race it can’t win.”
“But all the latest studies show that moderation is the key.”
“Do you have an answer for everything?”
“Yes.”
“And that’s precisely why you’d do so well in law school. You do your research. We all know you’re smart and capable. Why would you want to open up acoffee shop?”
“I’ve got to go. I’m getting to that part of town where reception is kind of...spo...ty... I...talk...ter.” Ava pressed end call.
“Still telling her there’s spotty reception in Charming, huh?” Cole smiled.
“Don’t judge.”
Cole held up his palms but when the door opened, his eyes gravitated in that direction, and Ava’s gaze naturally followed. Max stalked toward the bar.
“He looks pissed. I bet it didn’t go well,” Cole said.
“Uh-oh. She probably put up a fake photo and didn’t even look like herself. I’ve heard women do that. Men, too.”
“You should probably go. There’s going to be some angry guy talk going on.”
“I’m sorry, but you couldn’t pay me to leave now. This should be good.”
Max straddled the stool next to Ava and unloosened his tie, twisting it as though it ticked him off simply by daring to hang around his neck. “Not talking.”
Cole set an IPA down. “That bad, huh?”
“Was she a lot older than her picture? Fifty pounds heavier? Not a woman?” Ava said.
