Page 40 of Beautiful Lies
“Not this time.”
I looked down at the top of Ava’s blonde head. I had nothing against the lavender hair. It was cool. But now she looked more like the Ava I used to know. When I saw her on Sunday, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was symbolic. The cherry-red lips and blonde hair. She knew I’d always had a thing for those red lips. They looked so ripe and kissable. Tempting as a poison apple.
“I’m only going along with this for Eden,” Ava told me in a low voice as we walked into the loft.
Two could play this game. “I’m only here for the lasagna,” I said as the scent wafted my way.
My eyes raked over Ava, taking in the curves of her body that she’d hidden underneath a baggy sweater on Sunday. She untied the belt of her long black cardigan, revealing a silky black strappy tank top and painted-on jeans. Were they leather? Jesus. She looked like she was going clubbing. My eyes traveled down her legs to ankle boots with a heel. Then back up to those fuckable red lips and white-blonde hair framing her gorgeous face. It was almost too much to handle.
“You look hot,” I whispered. “Not that I noticed.”
“So do you,” she whispered back. “Not that I looked.”
I winked at her. “Too bad my body’s off-limits to you.”
“Right back at you.”
She tossed her hair over her shoulder and sashayed into the kitchen. I watched her perfect, tight ass and the sway of her hips, knowing she was putting on a show for me as I followed behind.
Eden thanked us for the chocolates and flowers, pulled us into hugs, and shot down our offer to help. Dinner was ready. The table was set and all we had to do was take our seats.
I was seated next to Ava and across from Eden with a view of the midtown Manhattan skyline from the wall of windows across the expanse of their open-plan living/dining area. The loft was cool with soaring ceilings, exposed brick walls, and distressed hardwood floors covered in faded oriental rugs. A plush sectional and overstuffed chairs were grouped around a vintage railroad cart coffee table. Eden’s abstract paintings hung on the walls and I studied them from afar. She used a lot of drabs and blues with bursts of color to break up the darkness.
“Don’t judge my paintings too harshly,” she said when she caught me studying them. “Killian insisted on hanging them. If it had been up to me, they’d be living in the closet.”
“Tell her they’re good,” he prompted. I didn’t need prompting.
“They’re awesome. You should set up your own show in a gallery.”
“That’s what I told her,” Ava said, flashing me a smile like we were on the same team for a change. She returned her attention to Eden. “I’ll promote it for you.”
“Do it,” I told Eden. “You can rent the space. You’d sell enough to cover the cost and end up with a profit.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It is easy.” I had no doubt that people would buy her paintings. Painting with oils on canvases had never been my chosen art form, but I could tell from across the room that her abstracts were layered and textured. They had life and form and movement. No two people would see the same thing when they looked at them which was the beauty of good art. It was open to interpretation. It demanded that you sit up and take notice. “What’s the worst that could happen?” I asked, spearing a bite of salad.
“Everyone will hate them. They’ll call me out for being an amateur. And nobody will buy them.”
“Not happening,” Killian said. “Your art is amazing.”
“You’re biased.”
“Am I biased?” Killian asked me and Ava.
Ava and I said no in unison, once again in agreement over something. “Do it,” I said. “Life’s too short to worry about other people’s opinions. If someone doesn’t like it, fuck them.”
“Connor’s motto,” Ava said. “He never worries what anyone thinks.”
I side-eyed her. “I care about some people’s opinions.”
“I meant it as a compliment.”
“In that case, thank you.”
She gave me a brilliant smile. “You’re welcome.”
I took a bite of my lasagna and caught Eden’s eye. She grinned. “I’ve just come up with the best plan.” Killian groaned, and she smacked his arm. “Hey. I’m full of great ideas. Look how great this dinner is turning out. It’s already a success.”
