Page 66 of Whatever You Want

“Sorry, I got stuck in traffic.” I pressed a quick kiss to Ava’s mouth and stared down at Madison, who was beaming up at us. The kid was too cute for her own good.

“Look, Logan. My mom and I painted our nails the same color, so we match. See.” She stuck out her hand and twirled around in her sundress that was the same color blue as Ava’s. “Luke said we look like twins.”

I laughed and handed her the single pink rose I had wrapped for her. “You both look beautiful.”

“That’s for me?” she asked, her eyes going big.

“Of course it is.” I smiled. “You got all dressed up for Brina’s dance recital. You deserve something special too.”

“Thank you, Logan.” She hugged my waist. “I love it, and I love you too.”

My heart squeezed, and I had to take a deep swallow. “I love you too, pretty girl.”

I reached for Ava’s hand, noticing the tears in her eyes. My mother snuck a tissue from her purse and handed it to her. I wanted to ask her if they were happy or sad tears, but I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable in front of everyone.

“Why don’t we go inside before the auditorium fills up?” my mother suggested as we followed her up the steps.

I handed everyone their tickets once we got to the door. I grabbed a program off the table and bought Madison a drink and a small snack before we found our seats.

The place was a zoo. There were babies crying and young toddlers being chased around by their parents. I nodded to a few people I recognized holding flower arrangements similar to mine.

Ava grabbed my arm. “I’m going to the bathroom before we sit down. Madison, do you have to go?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“She can go in with us. I’ll text Logan and let him know where we are.” My mom placed her hand on Madison’s shoulder and guided her around all the young children and parents.

Once they were out of sight, I pulled her into me. “I’m sorry I made you cry.” I wiped at the corner of her eyes where there was a smudge of mascara.

“They are happy tears.”

“Those are my favorite kind.” I brushed my lips against hers. “You taste like cherries.”

She laughed and wiped at the corner of my mouth. “It’s my lip gloss.”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” a familiar voice shrieked, causing people to turn their heads in our direction.

I threw my head back and groaned. I had hoped to avoid Vanessa, even though I knew it was very unlikely. Things were already strained between us as it was, and bringing Ava here was only going to set her off.

“Lower your voice.” I could feel my neck prickle as she got closer.

“Don’t you dare tell me to lower my voice,” she gritted out, gearing herself up for a tantrum. “This is family only. If you were going to bring a guest, you should have checked with me first.”

“Wait a minute.” Ava stepped closer; her brows creased in confusion. “You’re the woman that came into my shop.”

“What?” I swung my head to my ex-wife because What. The. Fuck?

Vanessa scowled at Ava. “So, what? I was interested in who my husband was sleeping with. Sue me.”

My eyes narrowed. “Tell me you didn’t.”

“You should have known that I would go digging into your latest flavor of the month. I told you before I did not want you bringing random women around my daughter.”

“Ava is not a random woman.”

I knew bringing my girlfriend here wasn’t going to go over well, but I was not going to exclude her from things that were important to me.

“Logan.” Ava’s soft hand touched my arm. “Maybe we should go find our seats.”

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