Chapter Six

Lily’s POV

My body is glued against my mind for it could not accept the reality that lay before me. Ava had curly herself around Lucas like a snake, manicured nails tightening into the expensive fabric of his suit. My stomach sourly vomited something bitter and raised towards my throat.

I want to believe that this was some mix-up maybe I was seeing things but how she pressed herself against him and the smirk that flared on her lips told otherwise. He is just standing there, stiff as a statue from discomfort, and holding her arms as if trying to shove her off. "Ava," said he coldly, with irritation dripping from his voice, "Get off me."

Instead, he chosed to laugh and lean close to whisper something to the ear of the man. He caught his stare through that muscle in his jaw, starting to tick, dangling like he was about to snap at an instant. The grip on either of her arms grappled hard, and then he pulled away to set her back on her feet, as though she were a clipped annoying child.

Ava puffed her lips, tossing her platinum blonde hair over a shoulder. "Oh, come on, Lucas. Don't be so cold-it's been weeks since I last saw you." 

Weeks? My fingers curled into my palms. He never said anything about seeing her recently. Not that he really owed me an explanation-by-the-way, but still, her tone was so casually familiar that just the thought of it crawled under my skin. I'll fold my arms tightly across my chest and watch their exchange through narrowed eyes. My patience is already running thin after everything that I've been through today, and now this?

Lucas stepped back, straightened his tie, then gave me a sideways glance. His face was inscrutable, but below the surface, anger simmered. But it wasn't directed at me. No, all that was reserved for Ava. 

"Why are you here, Ava?" he asked, sharpening the tone of his voice.

Ava's eyes always flickered into my direction and there was a smirk on her lips. "I wanted to see you, of course. But now I see you've brought home a little pet." Her gaze raked over me like I was nothing but a speck of dust on her designer shoes.

I clenched my jaw. A thousand retorts fought to leave my lips, but I forced myself to breathe. I wouldn't let her get under my skin. Instead, I met her gaze with an saccharine-sweet smile. "And you must be the obsessed ex-friend who doesn't know when to quit."

Ava's smirk faltered for a brief second before she let out a dramatic laugh, tossing her head back like I had just told the funniest joke in the world. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so much more than that."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So just delusional, then?"

Lucas sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "Ava, leave."

It was as though she had stepped out of this world-because she was edging nearer and had that predatory gaze locked onto mine. "You think you're so special," she whispered low enough that only I could hear. "That Lucas is different with you. That you matter." She cocked her head, studying me. "It's cute, really."

I will not balk. "And you think you still have a chance?"

Ava made a little twitches in her eyes of annoyance before putting the facade back on. "We happen to have history."

Let out a dry laugh. "And so do expired coupons, but no one is trying to use them anymore."

Pinched the bridge of his nose. "Enough." The voice was sounded boring with a lot of warning in it. His attention turned to Ava as his patience started to wear down. "I don't know what kind of delusion you have built up in that pretty little head of yours, but that ends right here. I am not interested. I have never been interested."

Her face darkened and for a fleeting moment, her playful facade slipped away. "You weren't saying that last year." 

My stomach churned but I kept a neutral face. Just as if I were ever going to give her the satisfaction of seeing a thread of doubt creep in. Lucas, for his part, didn't hesitate.

"And I regret every second of it," he said coldly, sharper than I'd ever heard him. "Now, unless you want me to call security, I suggest you leave."

She pouted and took a step closer. "Lucas, darling, don't be so cruel. I flew all the way from England just to see you."

"I didn't ask you to," he replied without missing a beat. 

For a fleeting moment, Ava's face turned dark until she immediately shifted to yet another of her phony smiles. Her gaze turned back to me, slightly tilted. "Welcome to Hawke," she said. "Not that you should get comfortable." 

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And why is that?" 

Her smile deepened. "Because you're nothing but an unfortunate fleeting distraction." 

Lucas sighed. "Ava, five seconds. Get out now or security will have to escort you out." 

She pressed her lips into a very thin line and huffed. "Fine, fine. I will go. But don't you dare think I'll let it go, with you, Lucas. Or you, dear Lily." 

And with that, she sauntered off in the black lacquer of her heels. 

I just blew out a long sigh of breath that I haven't really realized I was holding. "She sure is a handful, huh?" 

Lucas rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You don't have any idea." 

"Actually, I think that I do." 

He just stared at me. His face was unreadable. "Sleep. Long day tomorrow." 

I rolled my eyes but didn't argue. I was too fatigued for a new round of debate so I just turned on my heel back toward the guest room. 

And even as I turned the lock behind me, one question still ran in my mind: 

What was I getting into?