Page 48 of Fractured Faceoff

"Oh, thank you! This means so much to me," she gushed.

Why did it feel like this was moving way too fast, and I wasn't even the one getting married? Why wasn't Ava panicking?

"Ava, are you sure this is what you want?" I asked. I couldn't stop the question if I tried. It popped out of me. "Is Kash really the one for you?"

She sighed softly. "Yes, he is. Anything else I might have been interested in was never worth the risk. Marrying Kash is stable; it's safe for me."

Stable and safe? That didn’t sound like love to me. But who was I to judge? Ava had always been more practical about relationships than I ever was.

"I just don’t understand why—" I stopped myself from finishing that thought out loud.

"Why what?" she asked, sounding genuinely curious.

"Why you... never mind." It wasn’t the time to bring up her infidelity with Jared.

"Hey," she said. "I know the whole thing between you and Brody didn't work out, but thatdoesn't mean you should give up. There's someone out there for you, Isla. You're beautiful, intelligent, and talented. Any guy would be lucky to have you."

"Thanks," I said slowly.

"I'm sorry if my engagement bothers you," she continued. "It was never my intention?—"

"Stop," I said. No way was she insinuating I was too sensitive to be happy for her, was she? "I'm happy for you. Truly I am."

"Thanks," she said. "That means everything."

"I have to go," I said quickly before the conversation could get any more complicated.

"Oh, wait! I wanted to invite you to this barbecue Kash and I are throwing at our place this weekend," she said hurriedly. "We’re making the announcement to our friends."

"I... should be able to make it," I replied hesitantly.

"Great! I'll see you there then," she said with a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Yeah, see you," I said softly before ending the call.

As soon as the line went dead, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I'd been holding. This whole situation felt like a tangled web of secrets and lies, and I was smack in the middle of it all.

The sound of footsteps approaching pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up just in time to see Jared sauntering into my office like he owned the place. His ever-present smirk played on his lips, and his eyes twinkled with mischief. His presence commanded attention without even trying. His swagger was both annoying and alluring. He had the same piercing gaze, one that seemed to see right through me, and a devil-may-care grin that promised trouble. His Southern drawl, always smooth and honeyed,carried a confidence that could either comfort or unnerve. Despite the turmoil in my mind, I couldn’t ignore the spark of attraction igniting within me. It was maddening, this pull he had over me.

“Morning, sugar,” he drawled, leaning casually against the doorframe.

“Jared,” I acknowledged with a nod. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Just checking in,” he said, glancing at the bouquet on my desk. “Nice flowers.”

“They are,” I agreed, crossing my arms over my chest. “I wonder who sent them.”

His grin widened. “Just a little something to brighten your day. You know. Since we're making it official.”

“Consider it brightened,” I replied dryly.

He stepped further into the room and closed the door behind him, his expression growing more serious. “How are you holding up?”

I shrugged, not quite meeting his gaze. “I’m fine.”

He studied me for a moment before speaking again. “You don’t have to pretend with me, you know.”

The irony of his words wasn’t lost on me—we were pretending with everyone else but not each other? Still, there was something comforting about his presence, despite everything.

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