The next day . . . Ava had gone to her mother’s penthouse. She and Simon were going back to England tonight. Ava caught them up on the latest. “I’m so glad he proposed to you,” her mother said. “But I can’t believe you told him you think about it.” Simon had left them to enjoy a cup of tea in the parlor. They were sitting in the den. “You can’t? You think I should have said yes?” “Do you love him?” “Yes.” “Then, yes, you should have told him yes right away. But it’s your life. I had promised you I wouldn’t interfere, and I would support your decisions.” “Hold on,” Ava said putting her finger up in the air. “Pretend – just this once I didn’t ask you to make that promise and tell me why you think I should have said yes right away.” “First of all, you love him, and he obviously loves you considering everything he has done to try to impress you and show you that.” “Wait
The first course was beluga caviar – for Ava. Ray had onion soup for an appetizer. The next course was shrimp salad. The third course was escargot – for Ava. Ray had scallops. The main dish was duck, one of Ava’s favorite dishes at The Russian Tea Room. The only damper on the meal was she couldn’t drink vodka or champagne because of the pregnancy. Thank God pregnancies only lasted nine months. If it was any longer, Ava would go insane from Cristal withdrawals.During the meal they made idle chit chat. Ray had caught her up on what was going on in Townsend.Dessert was served. Chocolate mousse cake, another favorite of Ava’s at the restaurant. Now she was suspicious. Ray had all of her favorite foods served for dinner. And her favorite flowers were in a crystal vase on the table. There was no way all of it was a coincidence. And Ava was pretty sure she had never mentioned her favorite flower to Ray. He didn’t buy flowers.“Ray,” she began. “Yes?” “You had help
A week later . . . Ava had gone back to the Waldorf Astoria three days ago per an invitation from Ray. He had sent the boys back to Townsend with Jesse. Ray had said that they needed to get back to school, despite them being able to do their work on the county school portal. Plus, someone had to go back to check on the ranch.When Ava had asked Ray why he wasn’t going back with them, he had looked at her and said, “I can’t go back yet. I have one more thing I have to do here.” Then he had actually winked at her. And it actually made Ava blush as butterflies flipped in her tummy – and it was definitely not morning sickness. Ray hadn’t made her feel like that since she’s had amnesia. Ray had invited her to stay so they could have lunch together, but she had refused and bid him goodbye.Ava was at her penthouse when the butler came in with a package and a note. He sat the package down on the couch next to her and handed her the note. She opened the envelope.Ava,
Ava stood in the doorway of Ray’s hotel suite wearing a caramel-colored, corduroy, long sleeve dress with oversized lapels. The lapels outlined a V-shaped neckline. The length of the dress swayed around her lower calves. She wore light brown leather boots with two-inch heels. Her trench coat was dark brown. Ava’s brown hair was down around her shoulders. She left it straight today and she took it easy on the make-up. Soft pink on her eyelids and lips. “Hi,” Ava greeted with a smile. “Hi, come on in,” Ray invited. Ava crossed the threshold. She loved the room but then again, the Waldorf had some of the best suites in the city. “Let me take your coat,” Ray said. Ava let him help her off with her coat as Jesse came around the corner. “Hey, you,” Jesse greeted. Ava and Jesse exchanged a quick kiss on the cheeks. “You both look nice. Are you going somewhere?” Ava asked.
Chip and Ava swayed to the music. The song had ended but another slow song came on. Angel of Mine by Monica. “Oh, I love this song,” Ava said. “Can we keep –” “May I cut in?” Ava’s and Chip’s heads snapped over to see Ray Steele. “Ray, I . . . What are you doing here?” Ava was stunned. The King Cole Bar wasn’t his style at all. “Jesse wanted to get out for a little bit. Who’s your friend?” Ray asked. “Oh, Chip, this is Ray Steele. Ray, this is Chip Dandridge, a friend of my brother’s,” Ava said. They shook hands as they exchanged pleasantries. “Do you mind if I dance with the lady for a minute?” Ray asked Chip. “Not at all, “Chip said politely. “Ava, I’ll be back at our table.” He walked away without saying another word. Ray took her in his arms. Ava placed her hands on his shoulders. “That wrist doesn’t hurt?” Ray asked as they b
Ava was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon, and she felt good despite her sprained wrist. One of her brothers and a few friends had asked her to join them at the King Cole Bar. Ava wasn’t sure about it at first because King Cole was only a ten-minute walk from the Waldorf. She really didn’t feel like dealing with Ray tonight. Then she realized that he wasn’t going to go to a swank lounge and bar - especially if it was inside another hotel, St. Regis. So, Ava accepted the invite. Ava was able to squeeze into a long, leather skirt with a slit along her right leg. She really had to shop for some clothes that were at least a size up from what she usually wore. She never knew five or six pounds made so much of a difference. She wore a velvet, champagne-colored turtleneck. The real bummer about being pregnant was that she couldn’t drink alcohol – and she couldn’t wear her favorite perfume. The smell made her nauseas now. Ava ordered a virgin p