Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Ava's POV

I use my fork to take a bit of the slice of lemon cake in my front and taste it.

"Well?" Peyton asks from where she is sitting opposite me and I look up at her.

"I love it. But I think it should go for the first layer of the cake, then the pink champagne flavour for the second layer and the chocolate for the last layer." I say and Peyton nods in agreement.

"Sounds good to me. But I still can't pick between the Italian meringue vanilla icing or the cream cheese frosting." She says, taking a sizeable bite out of the chocolate cake in her front.

"Go with cream cheese. Italian meringue is good but trust me, cream cheese hits the spot, especially for the flavours of cake we chose." I say as I get my iPad out, going through our plans for the day and checking if we are still on schedule.

"Soooo......." Peyton says slowly, drawing my attention and I look up at her.

"What?" I ask and she sighs exasperated.

"Oh, come on, Ava. Tell me what has been happening with Aaron. Are you guys still hooking up or did his blind date with Brenda change anything?" Peyton asks with eager eyes and I just roll my eyes and turn back to my phone.

"There's nothing to tell." I say.

"There's always something to tell! And I've been starving for details." She whines and I sigh as I turn back to her, trying to keep my expression from betraying me.

"Well, details don't matter anymore because he has a date with Brenda. In fact, it's almost noon so I'm pretty sure he is on his way to pick her up." I say and Peyton's excited look wipes clean off her face.

"Wait, what? They're going on another date?" She asks and I suddenly can't hold it in.

"Yeah, they're having lunch. So why should I care about details? Why should I care about how good he is or how funny he is? Why should I care about how he is always putting my needs before his? Why should I care about how we watch games together or how he took care of me last night? Why the hell should I care about how he spent the night with me or how he cuddled me?---" my voice breaks at this point and I realise my face betrayed me.

I'm almost close to tears.

I look away from Peyton's shocked expression, trying to control my restless emotions.

That's enough crying for Aaron.

"You like him." She whispers in shock and I let out a laugh.

"No I don't." I say and turn back to her but she doesn't seem the slightest bit convinced.

"Yes you do."

"I don't Peyton. We just had a lot of fun but I don't like him okay?" I say but Peyton's expression doesn't change

"Why is he on a date with Brenda?" She asks and I shrug.

"Why not? He likes her. She's definitely not too toxic for him."

"AJ, stop it. Don't do this. I want you to communicate with me, I'm concerned about you. You're my best friend." Peyton says and I sigh.

"There's nothing to tell, Pey. I don't want him and he definitely doesn't want me. So I'm not surprised that he accepted to go out with Brenda." I say and Peyton sighs.

"Oh, AJ. Why would you say that? That he doesn't want you?"

"We had an argument over breakfast this morning and he gave me a pretty clear message. Then Brenda came over and asked him out on a date and well...." I let my voice trail off as I shrug and turn to Peyton.

"Those are the details." I conclude and Peyton sighs.

"Ava, I'm so sorry--"

"Sorry? For what? There's nothing to be sorry for Pey. We are adults. We had our fun and now it's over. Like I said, Aaron is single so he can go on as many dates as he wants." I say and before Peyton can say anything else, I quickly get up and head for the counter to confirm the cake we were ordering.

The sooner the wedding, the better for me.

Just a week and a few more days....

Then I'm back home in California.

Far away from Aaron James Knight.

****

After Peyton and I are done ordering the cake and making amendments on the bridesmaids dresses, she heads back to her apartment and I make my way back to Aaron's place.

But the instant I try to open the door, it doesn't budge.

It's still locked?

He is not back yet?

I can't help but feel a little panicked as I unlock the door and get in.

Aaron is always at home by the time I get back.

Always.

There is no sign that he might have even returned earlier and probably left again.

I try to ignore the panic building in me as I get into my room.

Nothing bad happened.

Besides, he went on a date with Brenda.

A lunch date.

Yet it's almost 7pm and still not a sign that he is on his way.

Did something happen to his car?

Did something happen to him?

I grab my cell phone now, ready to call him. He would have called an uber, or he would have called me....right?

My inner voice scoffs.

Called me? After what happened this morning?

And that's all it takes to stop me from calling Aaron.

He is probably fine, and having a blast.

Probably went for drinks.

Probably spending the night at her place.

With that thought in mind, I decide to shower and make dinner. A few hours later and I'm in the living room after eating, ready to go through tomorrow's plans with Peyton.

But I can't focus.

Aaron is still out there.

He has never stayed out late all the time I've been here. What if he's hurt?

Or worse?

I swallow my pride and decide to call him but it goes straight to voicemail and my worried thoughts skyrocket.

Oh no.

What if his car was hijacked?

What if he met the wrong company?

Why did we have to argue this morning?

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of keys on the front door and I race to it as it opens.

The sight of Aaron standing there, unhurt, floods me with a feeling of relief and I throw my arms around him.

"Ava, what--"

"Oh my God, Aaron! I'm so glad you're back, I'm sorry about everything! I was so worried about you!" I exclaim, excited as I hold him close and he hugs me back.

I move back a little, unable to stop rambling as I observe his face while he stares back at me with surprise.

"I couldn't focus, I couldn't think and I tried calling but your....." my voice trails off as my eyes dart to Brenda, standing behind him and staring at me with equal surprise.

"Oh." I say as I let go of Aaron and move back a little.

"Hey, Brenda." I say to her and she smiles at me.

"Hi, Ava." She says and I keep taking a few steps back, my cheeks heating up with embarrassment as my eyes dart from Aaron to Brenda.

"I, umm...., I didn't know....I had no idea...."

Make a sentence, Ava!

"Ava." Aaron says, his eyes focused on me with concern.

"I totally forgot about your, umm.., date." I say, lookin away from their gazes as I pick up my iPad.

"Have a goodnight." I say and quickly head for my room, shutting the door behind me.

In the privacy of my room now, I take a deep breath and let it out.

He came back with her.

So much for worrying...

*****

For most of the night, I'm unable to sleep, unable to focus and unable to stop thinking about Aaron.

In bed.

With Brenda.

I wish I could deny that it didn't hurt but for some reason it did. It hurt a lot for so many unknown reasons and I hated myself for how much it hurt.

How could I let myself be so careless?

How could I have allowed him to spend the night with me?

To hold me?

To make hot chocolates and to cuddle me?

How could I have been so naive?

The questions are on repeat in my mind until morning and as the sunlight creeps in through the window, it dawns on me that I was at fault.

I should have left it strictly at sex.

But then he brought up those memories, he kissed me in a way I had never been kissed, he apologised and I eventually let my guard down.

It was only when he made breakfast that I realised how I had gone too far and crossed my own boundaries and so, I did what I do best.

Pushed him.

It was for both our benefits.

But it isn't enough anymore. It is time to set the record straight.

So I can move on with my life and let Aaron go.

Again.

After I'm done showering and getting ready for the day, I place my hand on the door knob and take a deep breath.

I can do this.

I can do this.

I swiftly open the door and head for the kitchen, preparing my mind to see Brenda in Aaron's tshirt and probably making him hot chocolate.

But instead I'm greeted with the image of Aaron stirring a cup of coffee.

Coffee?

He turns around and our gazes meet. For a few seconds, we both say nothing.

"You don't drink coffee." I finally say and he looks down at his cup.

"Yeah, well....its been a hell of a week." He says and I can't resist from asking the next question.

"You're not making for Brenda?" I ask and Aaron observes me a little.

"She, uh..., she didn't spend the night." He says and before I can reply, he walks closer to me.

"Listen, Ava, about last night--" He starts, but I cut him off.

"Actually, I was just about to talk about that. I am sorry I acted that way in front of your date. I had a little too much to drink and--"

"No, Ava. You don't have to apologise." He says, taking my hand in his, but I slowly pull away.

"Please let me finish." I manage to say in a shaky voice and Aaron's hazel eyes are on mine.

"Okay." He says softly and I take a deep breath.

"And since you and Brenda might be a thing, I think it's best of we call off our arrangement. No more sex, no more kissing or anything that won't be platonic between us." I say and he drops his mug on the counter, then turns back to me.

"Ava, wait. Listen, we shouldn't just jump into conclusions--"

"We're not. It's just the reasonable thing to do, especially because of the possible change in your relationship status." I say and he steps a bit closer.

"There is no change. Brenda and I aren't a thing."

"Yet." I say and try to leave the kitchen but Aaron holds me back.

"But what about that night we shared together? What about the amazing time we had?" He asks and I shrug.

"Exactly. Look at the mess it landed us. That's why boundaries shouldn't be crossed."

"Please, Ava. Please. Don't shut me out. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy that night. The experience we had, the secrets we shared..."

"It doesn't matter anymore, Aaron. None of it matters."

"It does to me." He says, holding my hands again, but I slowly move away.

"Well, it shouldn't. Have a nice day."

And with that, I quickly leave the kitchen and head out of the condo.

*****

For the rest of the day, it feels like I'm on autopilot as my mind wanders endlessly to Aaron while my body focuses on the wedding planning with Peyton.

As we finalise plans with the chair arrangement, catering service and hair stylist, I can't help but think about this morning with Aaron.

Even though I know I did the right thing, i can't help but wonder...

Why did he look so sad about it?

Why didn't Brenda spend the night?

"Hellooo, earth to Ava!" Peyton calls out, waving her hand in front of my face and I snap back to the present.

"Yeah, what?" I ask and she chuckles a bit.

"I was asking if we should get some lunch." She says and I observe the wide lawn space on the park.

"Already? Are we done with the chair arrangements?" I ask and she gives me a look.

"Yeah, they already left and I've been on the phone." She says and I sigh.

"Oh."

I really need to focus.

"Ava, are you okay?" Peyton asks, her eyes filled with concern and I nod.

"Of course. My mind is just a bit occupied." I say as I stuff my iPad into my bag but Peyton doesn't stop observing me.

"What's wrong?" She asks, placing her hand on my shoulder and I consider telling her what happened this morning.

It's almost impossible for me to hide anything from Peyton anyway.

But before I can open my mouth to speak, I'm interrupted by the sight of Brenda, walking towards Peyton and I with a bunch of beautiful pink roses.

"Brenda?" I say and Peyton turns too.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Peyton asks and she smiles a little half heartedly.

"Well, I came to give this to Ava." She says and hands me the roses.

"Me?!" I ask in shock as Peyton and I exchange confused glances and turn back to Brenda.

"Yeah. Well, basically, it was given to me but I believe he had you on his mind." She says with a slight shrug.

"Who?" Peyton asks.

"Aaron." Brenda says and I remain quiet, staring at the roses while Peyton stares at me in surprise.

Pink roses...how did he know?

"Why do you think he had me on his mind?" I ask quietly and she smiles at me.

"The card has your name on it." She says and I open the card perched on the card holder.

'Ava.' It says.

"Wait a minute, there must be some mistake--" I'm saying but Brenda is already shaking her head.

"I doubt it."

"But he gave them to you." I say, unable to believe this was happening.

"Yeah, he uhh.., he bought them for me yesterday after our lunch date but I didn't get a chance to see the name until now. I don't even like roses." She says and I feel terribly guilty at how sad she sounds.

"Brenda--"

"Its okay, Ava." She says, cutting me off with a slight shrug and a half smile.

"I'm really not surprised. He can barely control himself from talking about you and sometimes he even calls me Ava." She says and I stare at her speechless as she continues.

"I see the way he looks at you, worries about you. And last night, it was impossible to miss the way you care about him. You guys have a special thing going on and I can't interfere with that. If anything I should encourage it. You'll make each other so happy." She says and then she hugs me.

After the hug, she waves goodbye to Peyton and I, and then she leaves.

For a few seconds, Peyton and I remain quiet, staring at Brenda as she leaves.

Then Peyton turns to me, her facial expression masked with seriousness but her eyes filled with pleasant surprise.

"Wow, Ava. Aaron has feelings for you." She says.

And hearing those words, coupled with the scent of the flowers, sends my heart pace racing and my mind spiralling with fear.

This can't be happening.

When things begin to get perfect, then they're about to get worse.

And this is too perfect....