Page 37 of Why Not Now?

I grimace. “It’s complicated.”

He laughs and claps me on the shoulder, then looks over the car from the outside. “You said something about an alternator?”

“Back in September, she had some trouble with it. Said she got a new one put in.”

Carter nods. “Leave it with me for a few days. I’ll figure out what’s going on.”

“Thanks, man.” I turn to leave, but hesitate before getting into my car. “If there’s a bill for the diagnostic, send it to me.”

Carter arches his brow. “It reallyiscomplicated, huh? Sounds good, man. I’ll be in touch.”

I drive back to Blue Vista where the wedding reception has begun, hiding in my office until Ava is done. While I’m there, Vic finds me.

“Is there something I should know?” she asks, sitting across from me, her expression impassive.

“How did you figure it out?”

She looks at me like I’m stupid, which I probably am. “You took off to get her like something was on fire. Then you left again to deal with her car.”

I fold my arms on my desk. “There’s nothing for you to know yet. I was going to talk to everyone later. Once I figure out whatitis.”

“You’ll be careful? Because you know we’re not firing her because you fucked around and found out.”

I shove my hand through my hair. “It’s not like that. Ava is…” What? The one that got away. The woman who made me never want to get close to anyone else. The only one I’ve ever loved and possibly the only one I everwilllove.

All of those are true, but also not what I want to say.

“All I’m saying is think this through,” Vic says when I don’t continue.

“Did you have this conversation with Spencer when he was falling for Lis?”

She smirks at me. “Are you falling for Ava?”

Shit. Should have seen that one coming.

But also, does it still count as falling if you did it ten years ago?

I huff out a breath. “I will be careful. I will think this through.”

She nods and stands. “Good enough. I’m heading out. You staying?”

“I’m giving Ava a ride home.”

“Mm-hm.” Before she leaves my office, she turns back. “Thinking it through is for the business. Being careful is for you. I don’t want you to get hurt, Derek.”

I sit with her warning for another few hours. I don’t have any work to do, so I prop my feet on my desk and read my book on my phone. Eventually, I hear Ava come downstairs with her friend Bethany.

“Hold on. You slept with him, went on a date,andhe helped you with your car. And you’renotdating this guy?” Bethany asks.

I hold my breath as I wait for Ava’s answer.

She sighs. “I don’t knowwhatwe’re doing.”

“Is he giving you a ride home?” Bethany asks.

“He didn’t really say. I think so. Spencer said he was down here waiting for me.”

“You want me to wait? Make sure you find him?”

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