Page 15 of Forbidden Kiss

She waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t mind me. I know why you’re really here.”

While waiting for her to elaborate, my mind struggles to make sense of it all.

“You’re after Ethan,” she sings, a sly smile spreading across her face. “His wallet full of cash and his impeccable love-making skills. Am I right?”

My face burns at her bold accusations. I refuse to play her games any longer. Swallowing hard, I lift my chin and attempt to confront her. “I’m sorry, who are you—”

“Fiona.” She cuts off my question with just one word.

It’s an empty response that leaves me with even more questions, but I hold my tongue. Clearly, this is her house, and she might even be Ethan’s wife. My cheeks flush with shame. “Of course… Fiona. Nice to meet you. I was just leaving.”

I push against the swing door, eager to escape this uncomfortable encounter.

But before I can leave, her voice calls out again.

“Oh, Ava?”

I pause, bracing myself for another attack.

She hands me the brown paper bag that resembles a child’s sack lunch. “Don’t forget your gluten-free breakfast, dear.”

With every ounce of humiliation and resentment coursing through my body, I mutter a half-hearted “thanks” before turning to leave. I pause, breathe, and face her again. “You know, this isn’t what it looks like.”

As if sensing my inner turmoil, Fiona looks me directly in the eye and gives an understanding smile. “It never is.”

Chapter 7

Ava

Marchingintomyofficecubby, I throw the croissant sack on the desk. I’m so done with this charade. I have no interest in Fiona’s or Ethan’s games. And I won’t contact him because I simply don’t care. “I’m just going to sit here and eat this bread. It’s the only good thing in my life currently.”

My best friend Brianna pokes her head around the felt corner of my cubby. “What about me? I’m good too.”

As she rises from her seat, she pauses, her eyes reflecting sorrow.

Guilt spreads upward into my cheeks. “I’m sorry, Brianna. My life has been a whirlwind since Dad passed.”

Her eyes are watery, her mouth pouty. She wraps her arms around me, and I inhale her comforting, sisterly scent of flowers. “Ava, you don’t need to apologize. I’m so sorry about your father.”

“Oh, it’s okay. He was well… Dad. I don’t even know if I’m mourning yet. He was… a complex man.” I take a bite of the croissant and let the buttery goodness soak into my mouth. “Oh god. This bread is heaven. I can’t stop eating it.”

Brianna’s eyes crease, and her brows draw in for a millisecond before widening. She scratches her head. “Hmm. Interesting.”

“You want a piece?” I ask, still chomping on a mouthful of food between words. I’m a simple girl. In times of need, food comforts me. I stop chewing to tell her the news about Ethan and me. “My morning and night were strange. Everything was so surreal, it was almost like a dream. I don’t know what happened, but—”

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a statuesque man in the hallway.

It’s him. Ethan. The man who stormed into my life 48 hours ago and left a permanent inscription on my forehead. It saysHello, my name is Ava, and I’m a fool. I throw the bread on the desk.

Brianna senses my distraction and turns around to look at him. She clamps her mouth shut and stares.

His walk slows when he notices me.

Turning, I take a deep breath and hold it in. He doesn’t need to know all the craziness of my thoughts. In fact, he should never know how much his presence completely enthralls me—and pisses me off, too.

Once he enters the office, he stands and faces us, the work crew. “May I have your attention, please? I’m sure many of you have already heard the devastating news of Christopher Lane’s passing yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Everyone turns and blinks at me. Some smile kindly and some are wiping tears away, but everyone seems dismal.

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