Page 11 of Ava After Midnight

Domingo’s eyes find mine, dark with promise. “Your call,princesa.”

Mia scoffs, her nostrils flaring. “This is insane.Your fiancé?—”

“Isn’t here,” I cut her off, surprising myself with the conviction in my voice. “And neither are his rules.”

“Hot tub it is,” Domingo says softly.

As we pile into Ubers, I feel myself straddling two worlds—the safe, predictable future Matthew offers, mapped out in expectations and obligation, and the wild unknown Domingo represents, where nothing is certain except the way he makes me feel—like I’m finally breathing.

The gold band on my finger catches the streetlights, a flash of everything I was supposed to want. But for the first time, it doesn’t feel like a noose. It feels like a choice. One I haven’t made yet.

And maybe that’s the scariest part.

***

This place is too much—floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek modern luxury, exactly the kind of place Matthew would book for a business retreat, not a celebration. The thought makes me want to trash it on principle.

The thought makes me want to trash it on principle.

“Ring,” Zoe demands the moment we’re inside, holding out her hand. “You know the rules. No valuables in the hot tub.”

I hesitate, fingers grazing the band that’s been weighing me down all night.

“Zoe…”

“Trust me.” Her eyes are clear despite the alcohol. “I’ll guard it with my life. But you need one night without its shadow.”

The moment the ring leaves my finger, I feel lighter.Dangerous, but lighter.

“Anyone seen my bikini?” Jade calls out, digging through her duffle bag. It doesn’t take long before she gets impatient, instead stripping down to her underwear. “Nevermind, this works too!”

“Some of us haveclass,” Mia sniffs, pulling a designer swimsuit from her bag.

“Someof us have sticks up our asses,” Jade fires back, hands on her hips. “Andsomeof us need to stop pretending we’re here for Ava’s happiness.”

The room goes deadly quiet. I look between the two of them.Oh my god?

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mia’s voice could freeze over hell.

Jade’s laugh is sharp, but there’s nothing funny about it. “Oh please. We all know you’ve been wet for Matthew since college. The only reason you’re even in this wedding is to torture yourself.”

“Jade!” I gasp, denial immediately flooding my senses. I want to defend her; Mia’s been my friend foryearsat this point. There’s no way she’d do that to herself—to me.

Zoe’s hand on my arm stops me. “No, let her finish,” Zoe mutters, eyes locked on Mia. “Let’s get it all out.”

"You don’t know what you’re talking about," Mia hisses, but spots of color stain her cheeks. Her gaze locks on a spot in front of her, making her look even more guilty than she already did.Oh my god.

“Don’t I?” Jade advances on her. “The lingering touches when he’s around? The little comments about how you knew him first? The way you’ve been trying tosabotageAva all night?”

“Is this true?” My voice is quieter now, pieces clicking into place. All those times Mia insisted on joining Matthew and me for dinner. The way she always brought up their history.

“He chose you,” Mia spits, her mask finally cracking. “He wasn’t supposed to choose you.” She runs her fingers through her hair, eyes locking on mine again. “You were the safe Black girl his parents would accept, the one who’d play by their rules.But he was mine first!”

The slap echoes through the room before I realize Zoe’s moved. Mia staggers back, hand to her cheek. Her eyes look like there are tears forming. I don’t feel anything for her.

“Get out.” Zoe’s voice is deadly calm. “Take your designer swimsuit and your fake friendship and get the fuck out.”

“Ava—” Mia starts.

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