Page 1 of Bonding with the Beta

1

KAYLEIGH

My best friend is having a baby.

I’ve known Ava since we were eleven years old. I remember noticing her long brunette hair plaited in the prettiest braid on the first day of secondary school and telling her how amazing it looked. She said she’d teach me how to do it. The rest was history.

Fast forward ten years, and now she’s having a baby with the love of her life.

I adjust my light blue sundress in the mirror, twisting the fabric in the middle to line up at my sides. My hands press to my hips, and I smooth down the dress. Loose blonde curls fall over my shoulders as I reach for my bag and head downstairs to the campus car park, thinking how relieved I am to have Ava back in my life.

Today is their baby shower, and I feel a smile tugging on my lips knowing I can be a part of moments like these now. She wasn’t just a friend; she was my sister. I felt lost when she never returned to Russell Vale—the place we grew up. I didn’t know how she could leave without saying goodbye. Then I learnt thetruth about her kidnapping and the torture she endured for two years. It broke my heart.

But what matters is that she’s in my future, and I can support her in any way I possibly can. We’ve already started making up for the years we lost. I’m never going that long without seeing her again.

I pull up outside their gated community. I have no idea what Jaxon really does, but all I know is they’re rich as fuck. Inside my head, I’m cheering Ava on. She really bagged the jackpot, but most of all, I’m glad she’s safe and content.

A guard at the gate checks me and my car over before letting me inside. Baby pink balloons are littered across the gate and walls, over the trees, and on the arch of their house. I pop my car door open and walk towards the front door. My knuckles raise, and I stand back, clutching my fingers together, a gift bag hanging from my index.

The door swings open, and I’m met with Jaxon’s tall stature. He smiles the second he lays his eyes on me, a kitchen cloth over his shoulder. “Hey, Kayleigh,” he greets me, pushing the door wider.

I beam at him. “Hey.”

“Come in.” He beckons his head, and I step into their glamorous hallway with high ceilings and dark oak furnishings.

“Thank you.”

The first time I visited, I was blown away by the beauty of this place. It’s one of a kind. The decor is to die for. I’ve never seen a house so homely and welcoming, with wooden features and cosy pictures on the walls.

“Ava is in the kitchen,” Jaxon says as he closes the door behind me.

I nod before walking across the hall, directly towards the noise echoing from the kitchen. My head peeks inside to find a bunch of people I don’t recognise, but I spot Ava by the island.

As I approach, she turns, and our eyes collide. “Hey,” I say and grin.

She squeals at the sight of me. “Ah, you’re here!”

I’m bundled into a tight hug, and I wrap my arms around her immediately, careful of her small baby bump. She pulls away, and I glance down at her stomach. Almost eight months gone, and she’s impressively tiny.

“Oh, my. Look at you,” I exhale as her pink dress cups her bump.

Ava laughs and rolls a hand over her stomach. “I know. I’m convinced she’s tucked herself behind my ribs. That explains why I feel so out of breath. She’s crushing my lungs.”

“You look incredible,” I gush. “You’re glowing.”

A hand presses to her face, and she shakes her head. “That’s called being flushed from stress.”

I laugh. “Here, I got you this.” I hand her the little gift bag. “Well, it’s for the baby.”

Her dark brown eyes light up with exhilaration. “Aw, Kay. That's so sweet of you. Thank you. Come, let’s get you a drink.”

She places the gift bag on the side with all the other presents and then swipes a glass of champagne from the counter. My heart thumps at the sight of the bubbly goodness. I could do with some liquid courage in a room full of strangers.

“Thank you,” I say politely and take a rather large sip. “So, how have you been?”

“I’ve been well, thanks.” Ava nods and munches on strawberry after strawberry from the food platters. “Being pregnant is so taxing. I mean, I knew it would be exhausting, but I didn’t know how exhausting. I can’t wait to meet our little girl because my back is killing me.”

A smile curves my mouth as a drop of strawberry juice rolls over her lips. “Not long to go now. Have you thought of any names yet?”

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