Avaâs POV
I wasnât sure how I ended up here. One minute, I was closing my laptop, ending another exhausting tutoring session with Logan Carter. The next, I was shaking hands on a deal I wasnât even sure I wanted to make. I was going against my rules again. "Come to the game, and Iâll help you find a part-time job," he had said, flashing that cocky grin like he already knew Iâd say yes. And somehow, against all logic, I had said yes! stupid!! Now, I was packed into the freezing bleachers of Westbridge Stadium, surrounded by screaming fans, girls with too much make up , and everything I was not a customized regretting every life decision that had led to this moment. "Come on, Ava, at least try to look excited!" my neighbor, Sophie, yelled over the deafening cheers. I forced a tight smile. "Super excited," I deadpanned, gripping my coat tighter around me. I don't know what came over me to accept the deal guess you can call it desperation!! Sophie rolled her eyes. "Youâre impossible. At least tell me youâre here to support our team." I shrugged, eyes drifting toward the field. "Iâm here for the job offer." That was my official excuse, anyway. In reality, my gaze kept finding him. Logan Carter stood at the center of the field, helmet in hand, radiating confidence like he owned the damn place. The floodlights cast a glow over the field, highlighting the sharp cut of his jaw, the ease in his stance. I wasnât watching him. I was observing. Academically. For science. for practice. Right? The game hadnât even started, and yet the energy in the stadium was electrifying. are they always like this?. The Westbridge Titans were facing off against the Crestmont Hawks, their biggest rivals. Everyone around me was buzzing, already debating plays and betting on scores. I, on the other hand, was trying to figure out how much longer I had to endure this before I could leave. Just then, the announcerâs voice boomed through the stadium speakers. "And here come the Titans!" The crowd erupted as Logan slipped his helmet on, jogging onto the field with his teammates. Even from here, I could see the way people responded to him the way they chanted his name, the way girls in the front row screamed like he was some kind of celebrity. I shouldnât have cared. But when he glanced toward the stands toward my section my breath hitched for a second. I knew he couldnât see me. he couldn't right? I mentally asked myself. And yet, for some ridiculous reason, it felt like he was looking straight at me. "Ugh, heâs so hot," Sophie sighed dramatically beside me. "Youâre so lucky you get to tutor him. I would kill for that kind of proximity." I scoffed. "Yeah, real lucky. Heâs an arrogant pain in the ass." Sophie smirked. "An attractive arrogant pain in the ass." I rolled my eyes but didnât respond. Before I could think too hard about it, the referee blew the whistle, and the game began. It turned out, football was even more confusing than I thought. I knew nothing about it. "Wait, why did they stop?" I asked Sophie after what felt like only a few seconds of action. "Penalty," she said, stuffing popcorn into her mouth. "A penalty for what? They barely did anything!" She gave me a pitying look, like I was some kind of lost cause. "Ava, please. Itâs called football, not âstand around and watch people jog in circles.â Pay attention." I was paying attention ,just not to the game. Logan was everywhere. Every time he moved, the stadium seemed to react with him. He dodged tackles like it was second nature, throwing passes with laser precision, making it look effortless. The crowd loved him. but I didn't rule number one: stay away from jocks And, I had to admit, there was something about the way he played fast, aggressive, completely in control that made it impossible to look away. it was captivating. And then, in the middle of the second quarter, it happened. Logan caught the ball and took off down the field, weaving through Crestmont players like they were nothing. The entire stadium was on its feet, screaming as he sprinted toward the end zone. Then....BAM!! A Crestmont guy slammed into him. Hard. My heart lurched as Loganâs body hit the ground with a sickening thud. The air in the stadium shifted, the excited cheers morphing into murmurs of concern. I barely realized I was standing. Sophie grabbed my arm. "Relax, Ava, heâs fine. This happens all the time." But something about the way he wasnât moving sent a prickle of unease down my spine. Then, just as quickly as heâd gone down, Logan pushed himself up onto his elbows, shaking off the impact like it was nothing. The crowd roared as he got back on his feet, flashing a grin as if he hadnât just been tackled into the ground. I exhaled, slumping back into my seat. "See?" Sophie nudged me. "You do care." I scoffed. "I donât. I just...." I fumbled for an excuse. "I canât tutor a concussed football player. Thatâs all." Sophie didnât buy it. And honestly? Neither did I. By the time the game ended, Westbridge had won, and the entire stadium was in chaos. Students were celebrating, music was blasting, and people were already making plans to head to the after-party. I, however, was ready to disappear. I had done my part. I had shown up. Now, all I had to do was find Logan, remind him of our deal, and get out of here. Pushing through the crowd, I made my way toward the locker rooms. Just as I reached the entrance, the door swung open, and there he was. Still in his gear, hair damp with sweat, Logan Carter looked every bit like the golden boy the school worshipped him as. His eyes landed on me immediately, and that familiar smirk tugged at his lips. "Well, well, well," he drawled, stepping closer. "Didnât think youâd actually show, nerd." I crossed my arms. "Iâm here. Now, about that job..." "Relax," he said, running a hand through his hair. "A dealâs a deal. Iâll help you find something. But first...." His smirk deepened. "Did you have fun?" I hesitated. Lying would have been easy. But instead, I found myself rolling my eyes and muttering, "It was⌠alright." Logan chuckled, clearly amused. "Thatâs the nicest thing youâve ever said to me." "Donât get used to it," I shot back. He laughed, then nodded toward the parking lot. "Come on. Letâs talk about that job." And just like that, I found myself walking beside Logan Carter, wondering how the hell Iâd let him pull me into his world.Avaâs POVOne year.It had been exactly one year since I walked down that aisle in a dress that shimmered like moonlight, my heart pounding so hard I was afraid it might leap from my chest. One year since I saw Logan standing at the end of the aisle, eyes glassy, hands trembling, his entire being radiating a love so powerful I felt it before he even spoke his vows.One year since we said, "I do."And nowI stood barefoot in the center of our kitchen, staring at a stick that would change our lives forever.Positive.Two pink lines. Bold. Unmistakable. Pregnant.I gripped the edge of the marble counter as a wave of disbelief washed over me, followed by an even stronger tide of joy, fear, excitement, and awe. My breath came out in short, shaky bursts as my eyes blurred with sudden, hot tears.I was going to be a mom.It wasnât planned. Not exactly. Logan and I had talked about children in that dreamy, far-off kind of way couples do in their early days of marriage, usually late at night,
Ava's POVThe morning of the day of our wedding, I woke to sunlight spilling through gauzy curtains and the sound of birds outside the window. For a second, I just lay there, suspended in between dreaming and waking. Then I felt the flutter of nerves, the press of something beautiful and terrifying all at once.Today was the day.I sat up slowly, my heart already racing, and stared at the white garment bag hanging near the closet. It swayed slightly, catching the light, the lacy hem peeking out like a secret whisper."Youâre up early," Charlotte said from behind me, entering the room with a mug of coffee.I turned and smiled. "Couldnât sleep. I kept dreaming about tripping down the aisle or forgetting my vows."She handed me the mug and sat on the bed. "Youâve got this. And if you fall, just make it a dance move."I laughed, the sound shaking out some of the tension in my chest.Tristan appeared a few minutes later, holding a curling iron in one hand and a bag of bobby pins in the ot
Avaâs POVI kept staring at my hand like it belonged to someone else.The diamond sparkled under the soft morning light filtering through Logan's bedroom window, catching on every glint of sunshine as if it were winking at me,teasing me about how impossible it all felt. I turned my hand side to side, the ring glimmering with each movement, delicate and perfect. And real.I was engaged.To Logan.To Logan Carter, the same man who disappeared from my life two years ago without a word, the same man who shattered me, only to come back and stitch the pieces back together slowly, patiently, and lovingly.And now, he was mine. Officially. Eternally.I pressed the heel of my hand to my lips, trying to keep in the giddy giggle threatening to escape. It felt surreal. Like I was floating in a dream with no gravity, no anchor, no reason to come down. I hadn't stopped smiling since last night, not through the dinner, the dancing, the yacht drifting beneath a galaxy of stars. Not even now, hours l
Avaâs POVWaking up in Loganâs bed felt like floating. The silken sheets tangled around my legs, the soft scent of his cologne still clinging to the pillow beside me. My body is still with the memory of last night,every touch, every whispered word, every look. The way weâd clung to each other like the world could fall apart again and we refused to let it.But now the bed was empty.Sunlight already streamed through the large windows of his penthouse, washing the room in golden light. I stretched my body yawning,and rolled over.âLogan?âNo answer.My hand reached out, expecting to find his warmth, but the sheets were cold. I sat up, the flush of concern rising in my chest. He wouldn't just leave. Not after last night. Not again.I checked the bathroom first,it was empty. The robe he had worn earlier hung limply on a hook. There was no sign of him in the kitchen, no coffee brewing, no phone or note. The penthouse, for all its luxury, felt too silent.Panic flickered in my stomach.I
Avaâs POVI stood in front of my apartment mirror, adjusting the strap of my dress for the fifth time. It was navy blue, off-shoulder, and clung just right elegant but not too much. I wanted to look beautiful, not overdone. Comfortable, not careless.I didnât want to look like I was trying too hard. But tonight wasnât just any dinner. It was a new beginning. A chance to reclaim something precious. A second first date.When the doorbell rang, my heart fluttered. I took a deep breath before opening it and there he was.Logan.He stood there in a navy blazer over a crisp white shirt, holding a small bouquet of red roses. Not something grandâŚjust perfect.âYou lookâŚâ His voice trailed off, and he let out a soft laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. âI forgot how to talk for a second.âI smiled, my stomach flipping in the best way. âYou clean up pretty well yourself.ââThese are for you,â he said, extending the bouquet toward me.I accepted them, bringing the roses close and inhaling their
Avaâs POVHis smile was broken, but at that moment, it was the most beautiful thing Iâd ever seen. I didnât wait for words. I kissed him again harder this time like I could press every apology, every ache, and every lost second into that one moment.Logan gripped my waist as if Iâd vanish again, lifting me slightly to bring me closer. The desk creaked behind me, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this wasnât the place not for this, not for us. But my body didnât care. Neither did my heart.Two years of silence. Of aching.Of loving someone in absence.Now he was here. And so was I. No lies. No walls. Just skin and soul.His hands slipped beneath my shirt, fingers trailing my sides like he was memorizing every inch, rediscovering the girl he had left behind.I wasnât that girl anymore. And he wasnât the same boy. But somehow⌠we still fit.I gasped into his mouth as he peeled the fabric over my head, tossing it aside without looking. His mouth found my neck, his stubble gr