Page 40 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

“I’ve been driving a lot longer than you, if I recall,” she scoffs, and I snort. She whips her head at me. “What? I have.”

“I was in the car with you when you were learning how to drive, remember? I’m still traumatized.” Her laughter fills the car as we both recall the first time Ava was behind the wheel. She ran over the curb when learning to parallel park, and instead of stepping on the brake, she hit the gas. “I thought we were going to die.”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer driving?” She points to the steering wheel as we stop at a red light before hopping onto the highway. I shake my head but dramatically double-check my seatbelt.

We laugh together before falling into a comfortable ride filled with easy conversation.

A lazy grin sits on my lips as the feeling of sliding into an old t-shirt comes over me. For the first time in a long time, I let myself enjoy being around Ava.

My heart has always belonged to the woman next to me. There's no point in trying to pretend differently when I’m supposed to be acting like we’re in love. Maybe Scarlett has a point, and the key to winning Ava over is letting her know I appreciate all of her.

Chapter Eighteen

Ava

Assoonaswewalk into the arena, Duncan’s Wolverines’ PR rep, Stacy, and his agent, Finn, greet us. Stacy immediately starts informing us where we’ll be going and the estimated length of the press conference, but I barely register any of it with my heart pounding in my ears.

This isn’t my first press conference; I’ve done hundreds. It doesn’t make sense why I’m so nervous, yet I can’t stop fidgeting.

A warm hand wraps around mine, and I glance up to find Duncan watching me with a knowing look. The one that sees through the front I’m putting on for the rest of the world, and my stomach swoops.

Giving him a relieved, shaky smile, he twines his fingers with mine. Looking down at our entwined hands, I blow out a breath, letting his calmness ground me.

“Thank you,” I mouth to Duncan, only to have him give me a nod.

“Can I get you anything, Ava?” Stacy asks as we stop in a room next to where the press conference will be.

“Water would be great,” I say, working to give her my everything-is-fine-smile. Duncan gives my hand a squeeze, and another layer of tension slides from my body.

Having him by my side and knowing how private he keeps his life is mind-blowing. In the past, when I was curious about what was happening with Duncan, it was nearly impossible for me to find out anything unless I asked David or Fiona. So for him to be here now, opening his private life to the press, for me, is humbling.

“Of course. If you’d like to sit, feel free to make yourself comfortable.” Stacy points toward a couch to the left of us, and I nod. The only place I want to be right now is next to the man beside me, and I have no intention of moving away from him.

“Hey, Ava,” Finn says, reaching his hand out to me, an easy smile spreading across his face. “I’m Finn Mitchell. It’s nice to meet you finally.”

Regretfully letting go of Duncan’s hand I reach out and shake Finn’s. Narrowing my eyes at him, I tease. “So you’re the one my agent’s been colluding with.”

“Guilty as charged. Though Caro wasn’t that hard to convince.” He grins and winks at me.

“Caro, huh?” Beside me, I feel Duncan before I see him, and he gently places a hand on my lower back. The warmth from his nearness moves through me, cutting a chill I didn’t know I had. “Your idea is right up her alley. I’m just glad it wasn’t as crazy as some of the other ideas she’s had in the past.”

“It’s right up Finn’s alley, too, apparently,” Duncan grumbles. But when I look up at him, I see a glint in his eyes. The corner of my lip lifts, and my heart expands at how handsome he is. When his gaze slides to mine, my breath catches in my throat. “He’s made two successful matches.”

“Twoverysuccessful matches,” Finn jokes. He then looks back and forth between us, his eyes dancing. “Can I add a third to my record?”

“Are you looking to change your profession?” Duncan needles Finn while keeping his eyes on me.

A nervous giggle falls from my lips, and Duncan’s gaze lingers on my face for a moment longer before shifting back to Finn.

“Not at all,” Finn says, slapping Duncan on the shoulder and laughing. “I love working with athletes. And as long as they’re willing to let me ‘help’ them out of sticky situations, there’s no need.”

A gleam of humor lights his eyes just as a look passes between the two of them that I can’t decipher.

“Duncan, can I talk to you for a minute?” Finn asks, nodding his head away from us. “Ava, I promise to have him back to you quickly.”

“Sure,” Duncan responds. He then leans in and whispers. His breath on my skin sends tiny tingles to my toes. “I’ll be right back.”

“Ava, here’s your water,” Stacy says, just as Duncan walks away with Finn. Handing me the bottle, she calls out. “Duncan, they’re ready for the two of you.”

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