He chuckles. “No woman in mind, Ava.”
I’m not surprised. Just like me, Declan keeps his personal life very private. I’ve never met anyone he’s been involved with.
“What about you?” he questions with a grin. “Do you see yourself settling down with kids one day?”
I skirt around that because I don’t know the answer to that question yet. “I’m twenty-one, Decky. Give me a few years before you start asking the tough questions.”
He moves to kiss my forehead. “Looks like we’ll have to settle for being an aunt and uncle for the foreseeable future.”
“That works for me.”
“For me too.” He nods. “Since you’re here, why don’t I make some popcorn, and we can watch a movie?”
We haven’t done that in a very long time. “As long as I can pick the movie, I’ll stay.”
He nods. “I’ll agree to that.”
As he starts to walk away, I beckon him back with a pat on his shoulder. “There’s a movie coming out in theaters in a few weeks that I’m dying to see. I thought we could all go together. You, Sean, Callie, and me, and mom and dad too since they’ll be back in New York.”
“Family night at the movies?” A smile ghosts his mouth. “I’m in, Ava. It sounds like a good time to me.”
It’s going to be more than that. It’s going to be one of the most important nights of my life, and I can’t wait for my family to share it with me.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Harrison
“Why the hell have you been avoiding me, Harry?”
I’d know that voice anywhere.
I look up to see Sean standing in the doorway of my office. It’s midday, so he’s sporting a suit and tie. I’m dressed the same, except I didn’t get a tie around my neck before I left for work this morning.
I’ve spent much of the week juggling what needs to be done here with spending time with Roxy. That has left me with no time with Ava.
Other than a few short text message exchanges, we haven’t connected since I was at her apartment.
“I’m taking care of a kid and her lizard,” I remind him.
“Don’t call him that to his face.” He smirks. “It hurts Mr. Greenface’s heart when you do that.”
I laugh. “I take it Roxy told you that the other night.”
He pats the inner pocket of his suit jacket. “Rox and I have been texting non-stop for days.”
That shouldn’t surprise me in the least, but it does.
“How did she get your number?” I question as I move to stand.
I stumble briefly but find my balance immediately when I grab hold of the corner of my desk.
Sean doesn’t waste any time. He’s beside me before I’m standing upright again. His arm circles my waist.
“Are you all right?” Concern laces his tone. “Sit your ass back down.”
“I’m fine,” I reassure him. “I haven’t eaten yet today. I’m a little light-headed. That’s all.”
Skepticism is all over his expression. He’s not buying what I’m trying to sell him.
I don’t give him a chance to press me more. I step away from him and tug on the lapels of my jacket. “Have you had lunch yet?”
“No. I’m taking you to lunch now, but you’re paying.”
I chuckle. “You’re worth almost as much as me now. I read the projections for Wells in the latest issue of New York Viewpoint. You’re killing it.”
“You’re still fourteen times richer than Decky and me,” he points out. “I told Ava I’d meet her at Nova for lunch, but she’ll understand if I cancel to take you for sushi.”
“Nova’s pretty high-end for a Thursday afternoon lunch, Sean.”
It’s also impossible to get a table there without a connection or a two month wait.
“It’s a belated birthday thing,” he tells me. “But Ava is easygoing. If I tell her my best friend needs nourishment, she’ll be happy to meet up with me another day.”
There’s a solution staring me in the face. It’s a hell of a bad idea, but the need to see her overshadows my common sense.
“I can tag along for the birthday lunch,” I suggest, adding for good measure, “Unless you think she’d prefer I don’t.”
“Ava won’t have a problem with that.” He pokes his elbow into my side. “Truth be told, I think there was a time years ago when she had a crush on you.”
That’s fitting since I have one on her now.
He motions toward the open doorway of my office. “Let’s go surprise my sister.”
I watch Ava as we approach. She’s seated at a table in the middle of the restaurant. Her blonde hair is falling in loose waves over her shoulders. She’s wearing what looks to be a red blouse or a dress. I can’t tell from here, but whatever it is, it’s perfect on her.
“She beat us here,” Sean points out the obvious.
It’s at that moment that she turns her gaze toward us. A soft smile plays on her lips. That’s for Sean. Her smile widens when she sees me trailing behind him.