Page 10 of Mistletoe Magic

“I’m not. I’m only here to get changed. I met someone. Taking her out to dinner.” They both stare at me. I explain the story from the moment I met Jack, including the argument with her mother and finally taking her to the hospital. “I’m treating her to dinner, and who knows what. I’m excited for the unknown tonight.

I finish my beer and tell them bye. Riding the elevator, I can’t help but think about my dad crying and upset in the office earlier. I wonder if he’s okay with all of this? I know he’s getting hit with a lot of information about Uncle Dennis and his whole other life. I think I will see if Ava can come to dinner tomorrow night with the family. She might answer a lot of questions for us.

Once in my room, I check my gold Rolex to see if I have time for a shower. I need to wash off the travel smell. Throwing open my suitcase, I grab my Dolce and Gabbana body wash and cologne. I set the timer on my cell phone for fifteen minutes, as I don’t want to pick her up late. I don’t know where I’m taking her, but I want everyone to see how hot my girl is.

“Siri, call Jack Florida.” I stand with a towel wrapped around my waist while I stare at the mirror. The steam from the shower has it covered, and I wipe it away to finish getting ready.

“Calling Jack Florida mobile.” Siri’s voice is loud and echoing in the bathroom.

“Hello?” I hear a bunch of kids screaming in the background.

“Jack, it’s Hunter King. I need a favor. What is Ava’s favorite place to eat?” He tells me the steak place Ava was talking about earlier. I thank him and ask him about possibly double dating before heading back to California. He agrees to it. I pull up the restaurant and read they have an outdoor seating area. I call them and ask for a reservation outside. I want to show my beautiful lady off.

I get back to Ava’s apartment about forty minutes later, and I raise my hand to knock, but raised voices come through the door.

“Matthew, get out of my apartment.” Ava’s muffled voice through the door. “I wish you nothing but the best, and I hope you have a happy life with my sister. Get out and leave me alone.”

“What the fuck is your problem? Your sister is everything to me, and she wants you at our wedding. She deserves to have everything.”

“I don’t give a fuck what she wants. You fucked her the entire time you were with me. Matthew, you proposed to me while you wanted to be with my older sister. Why not end it?” I shouldn’t be listening to this, but I can’t help it.

“It was fun. All the sneaking around. Like I said, you’re a dud in the bedroom.” That’s my cue.

“Ready to go, babe? I don’t want to be late for the reservations. I’m trying to come back here and fuck your brains out as soon as possible,” I say with a smirk, walking in like I didn’t just hear their conversation. I look up at Ava clearing her throat. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you had company. Hunter King and you are?”

“Hunter, this is Matthew, my ex-fiancé.” Ava comes to stand next to me. I look her up and down, whistling. I take her right hand, making her spin around. “Like what you see?”

“Baby,” Licking my lips, I smash mine to hers, ignoring Matthew. “Damn, I missed this body while I was away.”

“Stop it.” Ava playfully smacks while she blushes.

Matthew crosses his arms over his chest. I ignore him. “Ava and I were talking when you interrupted us.”

“Good for you. We have plans. What the fuck do you want?”

“Michele wants Ava at our wedding.” I look at Ava.

“Do you want me to go with you?” I ask her in hushed tones. She looks to Matthew.

“I don’t want to go at all, but I know some of my family won’t forgive me if I don’t.” Ava steps into my arms. She’s so vulnerable right now. What did this fuck nut do while I wasn’t here?

“That’s not what I asked. I asked you what Ava wants to do? Forget about him, your sister, your mom, your family, and everyone else who has popped into your head right now. It matters what you want.”

Ava takes in a deep breath. “You’ll be my date?”

“Every step of the way. I’ll even do the electric slide.” I crinkle my nose to make her laugh.

“Tell Bitchzilla we’ll be there.” Ava doesn’t even look in Matthew’s direction.

“I didn’t grant you a plus one because I mean, who would want to date you,” Matthew smirks.

She grabs her phone off the counter and dials it. “Daddy, a friend of mine is in town for the holidays. We’d like to attend the wedding together. Matthew is here telling me I don’t have a plus one, so Hunter can’t come with me.”

“Hunter can come with you.” Her dad’s voice is commanding. Matthew huffs as he storms past us, knocking into me before he slams the door.

“Thanks, Daddy.”

“Were you pressured into this decision?” The concern in his voice makes me proud Ava has someone in her corner.

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