Page 94 of Honest With You

She pauses for a bit then shrugs. “I guess that’s one way of putting it.”

Somehow I don’t believe her, but I let it go since she’s always so secretive about the guys she dates but it never really lasts long.

I take another sip of my water, chewing on the straw. “It sounds like you met your match, Van.”

She salutes me with an empty glass. “That I did.”

Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she tips it toward me. “Back to you. What are you going to do about Jesse and his declaration of love?”

I shrug. “I mean, whatcanI do? It’s been six years.”

“Ava…”

I lift my head, my chin resting on my hand, I look up at Ryder who is eyeing me thoughtfully. He’s still nursing his first beer of the night and I know it’s because he's worried about Van and I. Even though we came with a driver, he still took it upon himself to make sure we’re safe.

“You two should really talk. Given your history, it's only normal to feel this way.”

“I hate talking about my feelings!” I groan out, a pulsing headache starting to form in my temples.

Vanessa and Ryder both laugh at that, with Van shaking her head at me. “Oh we know, Ava. You’re like Fort Knox. We never really know what you’re thinking half the time. Let alone what you’re feeling.”

“Says the girl who always has a secret boyfriend.” I scoff while Vanessa sticks her tongue out at me.

“So what are you feeling?” Ryder cuts in before Van and I can go at it.

“Confused. Tired. Overwhelmed.” I sigh, wistfully staring at my empty glass willing more margarita to materialize so I can go to sleep easier tonight.

Ryder leans back. “Then take it one step at a time. Nothing solves itself overnight. But don’t sit in your feelings too long, Ava. Life is too short to not do what’s best for you.”

I smile gratefully but remain silent. From the tip of his head, I know he gets that I’m still processing and that I heard him loud and clear.

If I was really being honest with myself, Jesse and I always felt unfinished.

Maybe what we really need is closure.

It’s been almost three months since Ava and Stephen took over the reins of their multimedia conglomerate. Since then, everyone has raved about the clear difference. Before, it was sort of a messy flow of getting stuff done since Uncle Luke was being pulled in so many different directions. Now, there was a strict hierarchy that was enforced. No more jumping hoops or ignoring protocols to finish projects on time. Everyone was expected to go through the proper chain of command, including the executives. It made our workflow more efficient.

The second floor that used to be media storage is currently under construction. A dining hall, gym and lounge were set to be unveiled by the end of the year for all staff.

Stephen and Ava also made sure that every single member under their employment, from studio executives to janitorial, got a pay raise after evaluations they performed themselves. There were more than a few handful that got let go during that process, while some were promoted.

Stephen performed my evaluation to avoid any issues, after someone let it slip that Ava and I used to date. Now, everyone was more mindful of themselves around me, like I had some sort of in with our new boss. Annoyed as I am that some actually thought she would favor me just because of a personal relationship she and I once had, it also had its perks. For one, Mandy no longer took it upon herself to flirt with me every chance she got. Now, she was cordial and professional, which eased most of the stress at work.

But I remained unsettled. After practically baring my soul and handing my heart over to her, Ava has yet to say one word to me that wasn’t about work. She acted like it never even happened. She has taken it upon herself to send one of her new EAs in for most of our joint sessions, only popping in for the ones with Mickayla, like she needed to make sure her artist stayed in line.

Now that Mickayla’s single is wrapped up and all that’s left to do is filming promo and the music video, I was determined not to let her avoid me. I know how important it is to her that Mickayla has a successful debut. As a music producer, it wasn’t really my job to be involved with production design or music video concepts but after the whole debacle, Ava had cut Mickayla’s team down so she could control any possible issues, meaning I was wearing many hats for her and she owed me a freaking sit down meeting.

I rub the crick on my neck, wishing this damn knot would go away already. After spending most of my days hunched over my guitar or workstation, it was a recurring issue for me until I could make time for a massage.

I check the time on my phone and jot down some lyrics floating in my head, when someone finally enters the conference room I’m supposed to meet Ava in.

But it’s not her.

It’s Uncle Luke.

I sigh inwardly, forcing a smile on my face. I’m still at work and need to remain professional, especially in front of the man who is more like a father to me than my own.

A smile stretches across his face when he sees mine, and he chuckles to himself as he makes his way to the barcart by the small kitchenette. He pours a finger of scotch into two glasses, handing one to me before taking a seat in front of me.

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