CHAPTER SIX

AVA

“This is Kade,” Kayla introduced the guy standing next to Luke with a wide smile, looping her arm around his. “My boyfriend.”

The table responded with friendly smiles and teasing whoops.

“And this,” she added, gesturing to Luke, “is Luke, Kade's best friend. They used to live together back then in college.”

Christine leaned in toward Ava and whispered, “Best friend? Really?”

Ava didn’t answer. She was too busy pretending not to care where Luke sat. Christine, ever the schemer, suddenly rose from her seat, dragging her purse as if on instinct.

“Oh! I'm switching spots,” she said breezily, shooting Ava a mischievous smile.

But before Luke could take the open seat beside Ava, David slid into it.

Ava tried not to react. Luke took the seat directly across from her, far enough to breathe but close enough to hear.

“Christine,” Ava muttered through clenched teeth. Christine only shrugged innocently, sipping her drink.

Introductions went around again—Christine, David, a few others Ava barely remembered. Luke nodded politely at each one, his expression unreadable. He and Ava hadn’t even exchanged a word. Not that she wanted to.

David leaned closer, his voice turning playful again. “So, what exactly do you do?"

Glad the conversation has shifted to what she enjoyed talking about, Ava answered. "I'm into marketing for an automobile company. We handle the advertisement and sales pitching."

He chuckled. “Oh wow. I mean, that’s cool. Must be fun making posters or writing captions or whatever you do.”

She blinked. He wasn’t trying to be mean, just… dismissive. Like it didn’t matter.

Before she could respond, a sudden snort cut through the table. Her head snapped up.

Luke.

He hadn’t spoken all night, but now, he leaned back in his chair, sipping his drink, his eyes dancing with dry amusement. His lips twitched at the corners.

“What’s funny?” Ava asked, voice a notch sharper than she intended. Her heart pounded as all eyes briefly turned to them.

Luke tilted his head, completely unfazed. “Marketing in engineering and tech isn’t just about posters. It's all about strategically showcasing innovations, building credibility, and creating connections with your target audience. It’s a huge deal.”

David blinked. “How would you know?”

“Because I work with her,” Luke replied evenly. “And she’s good at what she does.”

A hush fell over the table.

David’s eyes widened. “Wait… you two work together?”

Ava stood suddenly, heat rushing to her face. She wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment from letting David belittle her work, or the fact that Luke (of all people) had defended her. After the way he’d treated her on her first day, the audacity was unbearable.

She didn’t wait for anyone to say more. She headed straight for the bar. She wasn’t planning to drink much. But that plan was already slipping. At least it was Friday. No work tomorrow. No awkward meetings until Monday.

After a few minutes, she returned to find her previous seat taken.

Christine raised a brow. “You snooze, you lose. But there’s a seat right here.” She pointed to the only available chair, right beside Luke.

Ava shot her a look, but Christine gave her a wide-eyed “What?” expression.

With everyone watching, Ava slid into the seat beside him.

David gave her an apologetic smile from across the room. She ignored it and took a large gulp of her drink.

The alcohol burned, but not as much as her pride.

Luke’s scent was subtle but irritatingly clean—something minty with a hint of leather. His presence was sharp, almost magnetic. He didn’t look at her, but she could feel him there.

Close. Too close.

“You might want to take it easy on that,” he said, voice low.

Ava’s grip on her glass tightened. She turned slowly toward him, her glare sharp enough to cut glass.

“Why do you care?”

He didn’t answer.

And for the first time that night, Ava saw his composure flicker.