“Yes, he is.”
I exhaled and welcomed the quiet. There was a lot on my plate at the club, but it didn’t stop me from thinking about Karma.
Would she ever come around, or would she shut me out forever?
If she truly hated me, what would I do about Nova? Taking her away from her momma wasn’t an option. I’d never do that to either of them.
What a fuckin’ mess.
4
Karma
It was a little after five o’clock. Ire would arrive soon to pick up Ava at the end of her shift. We were chatting about Jaynee and Lynx’s wedding in the waiting area. I told her what I knew about the small wedding and how Nova would be a flower girl, along with Sadie. The girls’ dresses were so precious and adorable; they’d be little princesses.
“So what about you and Ire? Any wedding bells in the future?” I wasn’t sure why I asked her that. The words had just come out on their own. Anything regarding weddings, babies, and love put me in a funk.
Ava grinned. “Absolutely. We’re waiting until Track is home, shooting for August, maybe September.”
“What about kids?”
“We both want one, maybe two. But we’re not in any hurry. We just love being together.”
“That’s wise. Kids are a lot of work.” Although I had once wanted a big family… a huge family. But it wasn’t in the cards for me.
“The work doesn’t scare me. Not with Drew by my side. He’s so attentive and protective. I doubt he’d let me do anything on my own. I’m shocked he’s okay with me being here when Art isn’t around.”
“Let’s be honest. He isn’t okay with it.”
She tittered. “No. Not at all. The club is spread thin with so many guys gone. Storm is more grouchy than usual too.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. He’s worried about Track.” She rolled her lips into her mouth like she’d realized she almost said too much. I wouldn’t press her about club business. I knew how it all worked, having grown up around the North Dakota chapter. I’d learned the ins and outs in preparation for being an old lady.
“After Grizz installed more security equipment, I feel safer.” I looked around the lobby. There were hidden cameras everywhere. Apparently, Grizzly was actively monitoring the parlor during the day when Ava was in the building. At the first sign of trouble, he’d alert Ire, and Ava’s man would be here in less than five minutes.
“Me too. It’s really Drew who has the issues.” She considered me a moment. “It’s strange Cobra hasn’t been around.”
“What do you mean?” I played dumb and was saved by the bell—the business phone.
“Human Canvas, how can I help you?” she answered the phone and pulled up the schedule on the computer, assuming someone was calling to make an appointment.
My heart stuttered every time it rang and wouldn’t regulate itself until I knew if it was Abe. It was deflating when it wasn’t him. I’d gotten used to him annoying me, that I missed it a little.
“Hello, is anyone there?” She lifted her shoulders and hung up. “I guess it’s nobody.”
I breathed a sigh of relief internally and felt a dull ache in my chest. “So your dress is light gray with peach polka dots?” Before the phone rang, Ava had mentioned Abe. I needed to redirect her before she resumed our conversation.
“Yes. It’s beautiful, and Drew loves it on me. Have you seenPretty Womanwith Julia Roberts?”
“No.”
“Oh my gosh, you need to watch it. It’s fabulous. My dress is similar to hers when she was at the polo charity event.”
I had no idea what she was talking about but I’d go with it.
“It sounds perfect for you. I don’t like romances. I’m into horror, thrasher movies, and suspense.”