Page 51 of Exposé

"Do you think ‘the government' is behind it?"

Bracing her elbow on the back of the couch, she leaned into her palm. "I don't know. I take whatever these guys say with a grain of salt. They'll say anything to get someone to believe their innocence."

"I guess so. It seemed like he was so convinced of it."

"You tell yourself the lie long enough you start to believe it as well."

"Touché."

But what if it was the truth?

Who would believe such a far-fetched statement?

"Well, I better hit the road and write this up before I forget it."

"Let's get together some time, Ava. I miss your face."

I gave her a tight-lipped smile and reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze. "I know, I'm sorry."

She sighed. "Look, I know Darrel and you had a falling out, but that was years ago. And just because he's my brother doesn't mean we can't still be friends."

A sinking weight hit my gut as I worked back tears. "I feel guilty."

"There's no reason to feel guilty. It didn't work out. We get it. We all do. But don't cut usallout because of it."

"I'm not doing it on purpose, really." I sighed and swiped away the hairs tickling my face. "I buried myself in my work to forget the pain, and I never figured out how to meet the surface again. I'm just now going out on a date."

Her eyes lit up as they widened. "You are? Who? Tell me."

I shrugged. "Just this guy I met on the street."

"Didn't Mr. Rogers ask if you'd met anyone new?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes. Buthedidn't insert himself.Iran intohim. He's a sweet guy,andhe rides a motorcycle."

"Sweet and motorcycles donotgo hand in hand."

"I know." I raised a brow. "So rare." Laughter billowed out, and for a moment, it transported me back to old times between her and me when we were best friends tackling high school together.

"Okay, okay. Tell me all about him, and then leave. I need to prepare for the next patient."

For a short ten minutes, I went over every interaction, thought, feeling, and daydream I'd ever had of Nate. I'd explained our upcoming date and how I turned down Liam hours before Nate refused to take no for an answer. She gushed, smiled, and squirmed as I described him.

"You know. If this doesn't work out. I'll be happy to break the girl code and snag him."

I let out a dry laugh and gave her knee a light slap. "Thanks. There's another reason for Kip to hate me."

"Oh, please." She stood, dragging me up with her, then pulling me into a hug. "He couldn't hate you even if he tried."

11

Ava

Irubbed the tweaked muscle in my neck, my ankle boots thudding against the carpeted floor as I slugged back to my desk with my fifth cup of coffee.

Aria lingered by the entrance to my cubicle, a smile on her cherry-red lips.

"Don't you have work to do?"

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