Page 56 of The Little Black Rose

“Why does it have to bemethat did something?” I ask, turning defensive as her glare burns into me.

“Zeke,” she says, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “I know something happened between you and Ava. Something that has made you both incredibly unhappy when you should be basking in the joy of finding out you’re having twin girls. So, if you want to talk about it, I’m here for you. I will try to suspend my general disgust and try not to dry heave if it’s about your sex life.”

“Gee, thanks, Sis,” I say, unable to stop my lips from curling up as she grins at me mischievously.

“Oh, I can talk about Sam to see how you react. There’s this one thing he does with his––”

“Stop. For the love of God, do not say another word.”

Laughter peals out of her, and I have to admit, I feel lighter than I have in days. Maybe talking about this situation with Ava will give me some clarity and relief.

“Seriously, Zeke,” she says, sobering. “Talk to me. Maybe I can help.”

“Okay,” I say slowly, and she holds up a finger before zipping around the counter.

Walking toward the entrance to the shop, she pulls the keys from her pocket and locks the door before flipping the closed sign.

“We’re not supposed to close for another hour,” I say as she walks back toward me.

“This is important,” Zoey replies, shooing me back into the kitchen and following hot on my heels.

Zoey hops up onto a work table and watches me expectantly. Exhaling harshly, I walk to the sink and start cleaning dishes while I talk. I tell her everything. My attraction to Ava even though I was sure she didn’t feel the same, my surprise when she initiated things between us, how happy we were for weeks, our joy and subsequent night together after the ultrasound...all of it.

“But you know me, Zo. I can’t go through what I did with Samantha. Not again. So, I decided we needed to cool things off. I started sleeping in my own bed again, and things have been…chilly between us ever since. We’re polite and cordial to each other, but there’s this underlying tension I can’t deny. And I haven’t been sleeping.”

I turn to face Zoey when I finish speaking and find her staring at me with wide, glassy eyes. I can tell she’s processing everything I said and trying to come up with a suitable response. It doesn’t take long.

“So…” she says, cocking her head, “…what you’re telling me is that you started to fall for her, you got scared, and despite your best effort to build those walls back up, you’re failing and miserable?”

“What? No,” I say automatically. She just arches a knowing brow at me, and I crumble under the weight of her stare. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

Lies. All of it. I’ve refused to admit it to myself for even a second, but Zoey doesn’t mince words. Not with me. She calls it like she sees it, and most of the time, she’s right.

Iamfalling for Ava. Fuck, if I’m being totally honest with myself, Ifella long time ago. I’ve just refused to accept that what I was feeling was more than simple lust.

“You should tell her,” Zoey says, pulling me from my thoughts.

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“I may have been the one to initiate the ‘just sex’ label on our relationship, but Ava didn’t argue. She agreed like that was a forgone conclusion. She doesn’twantmore, Zoey.”

“Zeke, you idiot, open your eyes. She’s miserable, too,” she says, her voice equal parts venom and exasperation.

“She’s pregnant. With twins. Of course, she’s miserable,” I shoot back.

Zoey gives me a hard look for my obtuseness, and I sigh, letting my shoulders droop as I lean against the counter behind me. I feel myself getting vulnerable, but this time, I don’t fight it. I lean into it, finally giving voice to my greatest fears.

“What if she rejects me?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “What if I’m not the one she really wants?”

Zoey’s lips pinch together, and she looks like she wants to knock some sense into me for a moment before she slumps and shakes her head as if deciding against violence.

“Go talk to her, Zeke. Tell her how you feel. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

Could she be right? I mean, I trust Zoey. Not only is she my twin, but she’s also Ava’s best friend. She knows the mother of my children better than just about anyone. And Zoey loves me. She wouldn’t send me down the wrong path.

I open my mouth to agree, but before any sound comes out, my phone rings. Pulling it from my pocket, I frown at the screen before meeting Zoey’s inquisitive gaze.

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