All Chapters of HIS BEST FRIEND'S DAUGHTER : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

AVAI stepped off the plane and the warm coastal air hit me like a hug I didn't know I needed. My legs felt like jelly after that long flight, and my heart was doing this weird mix of excited flips and tired sighs. College had kicked my ass this semester. Finals, drama, the whole mess with Jake that I was still trying to forget. But now I was home. Finally.I dragged my suitcase through the bustling airport, my green eyes scanning everywhere for a familiar face. The place was packed with people rushing around, kids crying, announcements blaring overhead. Home felt so close but also kinda far away after being gone for years. I just wanted to crash in my own bed and eat real food.My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a text from some unknown number. "Missed you more than you know. Can't wait to catch up."What the hell? I frowned at the screen. Creepy much? Probably spam or a wrong number. Or maybe someone from Jake's dumb friends trying to mess with me. I rolled my eye

AVA I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my room, tugging at the hem of my black cocktail dress for the hundredth time. Dad had gone all out. Again. A welcome-home party for me, like I was some celebrity returning from war instead of just finishing college. String lights twinkled across the backyard, a live band played soft jazz by the pool, caterers in crisp white shirts floated around with trays of champagne and fancy appetizers. High-class people everywhere. Dad's business partners, old family friends, even some local celebrities. It was extra. So extra.But that was Dad. He loved me to a fault. Always had. I smiled despite myself. At least the food looked amazing.I smoothed my hair, took a deep breath, and headed downstairs. The house was buzzing. Laughter spilled out from every room. I grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray and stepped into the backyard.And there he was.Ryan.Leaning against the bar, talking to some woman in a red dress that hugged every cu

AVAI stood there frozen in his office doorway, my jaw literally hanging open. Ryan finished buttoning his white shirt slow, those abs disappearing one by one under the fabric. Tattoos peeked out at the edges, dark swirls over hard muscle. His gray eyes met mine calm, like he wasn't half naked seconds ago.He nodded once. I snapped my mouth shut quickly and shoved every feeling down deep. No blushing. No staring. This was work. Boss and assistant. Nothing else."Good morning, Mr. Hale," I said, voice steady. "I'm Ava Carter. Your new personal assistant. Ready to start."He looked at me a second longer, then turned to his desk. "Morning, Miss Carter. Close the door."I stepped in and shut it soft. The click echoed loud in my head.He grabbed a stack of files and a tablet from his desk. "First, coffee. Black. Two sugars. No cream."I nodded. "Got it.""Then these files," he said, handing them over heavy. "Sort by project date. Digitize the old ones. Priority list on top.""Okay," I sai