Ever After (The Christmas Cottage - Book 2) Read online

  “I suppose it could be but I enjoy a good challenge and I love all kinds of books so researching and getting the opportunity to stock a library would be amazing!”

  Her enthusiasm was contagious and in that instant Brian knew that Ava certainly could handle any task – even world domination! “Have you started submitting resumes to anyplace in particular?”

  Ava took a sip of her now long-cold latte and made a face. Pushing the cup aside she looked back at Brian. “I’ve sent out a few to some local companies and I’ve talked to human resources at the university, but I’m not sure that I want to stay in Raleigh.”

  That bit of information stopped him cold. “What? Why? Where would you go?”

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I just think that I’m ready for a change; I’ve lived here my whole life and nothing’s really happening for me.”

  “What do you want to happen?”

  “I want to travel a little; I want to meet new people!” she said a little too heatedly. “I’m tired of living in everyone else’s shadow and having people look at me with pity because…” she caught herself. Unable to believe she had just said that out loud and especially to Brian.

  “Because you and Mason called off your wedding?” he asked cautiously.

  “Exactly. It’s been eight months and people still look at me with that “Oh, poor Ava” look. I’m tired of it. I need to get away and prove that I’m more than someone who got left at the altar.”

  “Well to be honest, Ava, you didn’t really get left at the altar,” he began. “It was a mutual decision to not go through with the wedding. Big difference.”

  “Not to the people who were there,” she grumbled. “It took months before people let me be around sharp objects; they were so afraid that I was going to hurt myself in my despair.”

  “Were you? In despair?”

  “No,” she said sadly. “I wasn’t. But everyone just thought that I was putting on a brave face. But it wasn’t brave, it was just my face,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.

  Brian looked at the face that had haunted his dreams for more than a year. Her blonde hair was a little shorter than it was the last time he’d seen her but her sea blue eyes still twinkled and captivated him. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch the smooth skin of her cheeks, to kiss those glossy pink lips and know that he had the right to do so. But he didn’t.

  Not yet.

  Silence returned and Ava glanced at her own watch and realized that it was getting late and she had the evening shift at the college bookstore. “I’ve got to go,” she said and almost cringed at the regret she heard in her voice.

  “Already?” he asked, not ready to let her go.

  “I’ve got work in a little while and I have some things I have to do before I go in.” She stood and grabbed her cup. “It was good to see you, Brian. Take care of yourself.”

  Brian stood and reached for Ava’s arm before she turned away. “I know that you’ve got graduation this weekend but I’d really like to see you again, Ava. Can I take you to dinner next week?”

  She hesitated for a few seconds before responding. “I don’t think that would be a good idea, Brian. It would be awkward.”

  “Because of Mason?” he asked, angry that Mason would still be part of the equation.

  Ava nodded. “I just don’t think it would be appropriate. Please understand.”

  He didn’t want to understand. He’d played by everyone else’s rules and he’d be damned if he didn’t at least try to get Ava to give him a chance. “Mason’s getting married, Ava. He’s moved on. Isn’t it time for you to do the same?”

  Regret immediately came when he saw the hurt on her face. Brian had to give her credit, she quickly recovered before turning to him and saying, “You have no idea what I’ve been doing or what I’ve moved on to, Brian. All things considered, I just don’t think that we should see each other again.” She pulled free of his grasp and took a step back scanning his face before finally saying, “Have a good life, Brian.”

  And then she was gone.

  ****

  It took most of the ten minute drive from the Starbucks to the campus for Ava’s heart to stop thundering in her chest. As she shut off the car, she banged her head on the steering wheel. “Seriously?” she grumbled to herself. “I have run into Brian the day after hearing about Mason getting married? What are the odds?”

  Leaning back in the driver’s seat, Ava realized that she was twenty minutes early for work and had nothing to do. She’d merely told Brian that she did because she needed to get away from him. He evoked too many emotions in her; too many memories. She’d relived that night in her mind countless times and yet seeing him today made it seem like it was only yesterday…

  Closing the door to her hotel room, Ava sighed. She’d had a wonderful day of pampering and shopping with Lacey and tomorrow was her wedding day. She and Mason had overcome many obstacles but she felt certain that they were doing the right thing in getting married. Any other issues they could work on after their honeymoon. Neither of them was over-romanticizing their relationship but Ava had finally reached a point where she was okay with her future.

  A knock on the door took her momentarily by surprise but she assumed it was Lacey wanting to hang out a little bit more; she had joked earlier about them having one last sleep over like they used to when they were kids. While Ava really just wanted to be alone right now, if Lacey were waiting with her pillow and some chocolate chip ice cream, she’d be more than happy to have the company.

  When she opened the door it wasn’t Lacey staring back at her, but Brian McCabe. To say she was shocked was an understatement. He and Mason hadn’t spoken in months and it was because of their disagreement that Ava’s brother was now standing in as best man at their wedding. Her curiosity had gotten the better of her and she’d tried calling Brian when Mason wouldn’t share what their fight had been about but he’d never returned her calls. Now here he was, standing larger than life in her doorway and looking at her like she was the enemy.

  “Brian! What are you doing here?” she’d asked.

  “May I come in?”

  Ava thought on that one for a second; she didn’t know Brian that well but he was a long-time friend of Mason’s and she really did want to know what had happened between them. She stepped aside and motioned for him to come in. “So, how are you?” she asked shyly.

  Brian turned and looked at her as if she was speaking Greek. “How am I? My best friend won’t talk to me and it’s your fault. How do you think I am?”

  No words could have shocked her more. “My fault? How is this my fault? What did I do?”

  Taking a minute to collect his thought, Brian glanced around the room and went to sit in the lone chair in the corner. Taking a deep breath, he stared at her. “You’re making a mistake, Ava.”

  She stood rooted to the spot some ten feet away from him. “I don’t understand, Brian. What is this all about?”

  “Marrying Mason is a mistake. You’re not right for him.”

  Ava saw red. How dare this man come here on the eve of her wedding and tell her such things and that’s exactly what she told him! “What gives you the right to say that?” she demanded.

  “I’ve known Mason for a long time; he’s like a brother to me and I’m telling you that this marriage is a mistake. You won’t make him happy.”

  She wanted to cry. They had been under attack about their relationship for months but Brian’s words hurt the most. “You don’t even know me! That’s an unfair assumption to make!”

  Now he stood and walked slowly toward her. “But I do know you, Ava,” he said smoothly, confidence lacing his tone. “You love to read and you’re excited about your education and your career. You love to sing and dance to music from the 80’s. You hate documentaries, love a good chick flick and cry at commercials.”

  “How…how do you know this?” she whispered, mesmerized at the fact that Brian was quite possibly the f
irst man to really see her.

  “I’ve been out with the two of you; I listen to you speak, I watch you as you interact with people. You’re social and genuine and Mason doesn’t appreciate that. He is looking for a partner but you’re looking for someone who’s as passionate about life as you are. He’ll smother you; he’s already doing it, Ava.” Brian stopped directly in front of her and reached out and touched her cheek. “He’ll stifle your creativity and he’ll kill the passion that you have inside of you.” His words turned to a mere whisper as he leaned forward. “Don’t let him do that to you.” His lips were a breath away from hers. “You’ve got too much passion to give.”

  And then his lips claimed hers.

  Ava wanted to be outraged; she wanted to push Brian away but everything that he said was true and the feel of his mouth on hers was so perfect. It had been a long time since Mason had kissed her with such tenderness, such emotion! She was helpless; she had no choice but to respond.

  The instant Ava went from being cautious to participating in the kiss, Brian took full advantage and wrapped her in his arms. She went willingly, pressing closer to him until Brian thought he’d go crazy. He deepened the kiss and it went on and on. Ava’s fingers ran through his hair as his hands roamed her back; it was mindless and passionate and…wrong. That thought hit him hard and he forced himself to let her go.

  Brian looked down at Ava’s flushed face and smiled sadly. “You can’t marry him, Ava,” he said sternly. “Don’t marry him.”

  Conflict marred her features. Her whole being was in turmoil and this was the most unexpected turn of events she ever could have imagined. “The wedding is tomorrow, Brian,” she said with more calm than she actually felt. “Why didn’t you return any of my calls?”

  “I honestly didn’t believe either of you would go through with this. I thought that you’d surely see how wrong you were for each other!” he said angrily, raking a hand through his hair as he turned away to pace. “I mean, it’s obvious to everyone around you!”

  Now it was Ava’s turn to be angry. “Well I don’t care who it’s obvious to! Mason and I have talked and we’ve gone for counseling and we know what we’re doing. How dare you show up now and try to ruin everything!” She turned and walked over to the door and yanked it open. “You need to leave now.” Rage had her trembling and she only hoped that Brian knew that it was anger and not passion that had her voice shaking.

  Slowly he stalked to her again and Ava had to grip the doorknob tightly to keep from flinging herself at him. Standing before her, Brian reached up and grabbed the door and slammed it shut, his eyes never leaving hers. “How dare you!” she hissed as she reached for the handle again but Brian was faster.

  “I’m not ready to leave yet, Ava. One of you is going to listen to reason. I thought that would be Mason but obviously I was wrong. You can’t tell me that you’re going to be happy with him!”

  Ava couldn’t answer so she moved beyond him and further into the room. She walked to the wall of windows and hugged herself. For all of her arguments with Lacey and Ean and her parents, none of them had made as compelling of a case as Brian and if she allowed herself to even look at him right now, he’d see his victory.

  She saw his approach in the reflection before her and then his hands were on her shoulders, turning her around. “Why are you doing this, Brian?” she cried. “Why now? Why couldn’t you just let us be?”

  Ava was prepared for his anger or harsh words, she wasn’t prepared for tenderness. Both hands reached up and cupped her face, his eyes softening as they scanned her features as if memorizing them. “You deserve someone who loves you for who you are, Ava. Someone who shares your passion and delights in all of the things that make you who you are; not someone who is trying to mold you into someone else.”

  “That person may not exist,” she said weakly, mesmerized by his intent gaze.

  “But he does,” he whispered. “And he’s going to kiss you right now.”

  And he did.

  A knock on the car window startled Ava out of her daydream. She turned to see her co-worker Julianne standing there waving. Grabbing her purse and keys, Ava climbed out of the car feeling a little more aroused than she should be. “What’s up, Jules?”

  “I wasn’t sure if you were awake in there,” she said with a smile. “Sorry if I scared you!”

  “Just relaxing before heading inside,” was all Ava could say as they headed into the bookstore discussing their nightly to do list.

  Chapter Two

  Brian McCabe was a patient man. Sometimes that worked to his advantage while other times, like now, he wasn’t so sure. Watching Ava walk out of the coffee house had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done; well, that and the night that he’d had to leave her at her hotel, unsure if she was going to go through with her wedding to Mason.

  He’d waited, eight long months he’d waited to see if Ava would call him. Sure he’d known that there would be a period of time where it wouldn’t have been appropriate for her to call; after all, she had ended an engagement on the day of the wedding! To some people it might have seemed inappropriate to pick up the phone and call the jilted groom’s best friend.

  But that was eight months ago and Brian was tired of waiting.

  The possibility of never seeing Ava again wasn’t an option. Brian was exceptional at judging people and he knew that Ava had been just as attracted to him as he was to her and even having this ridiculous ‘accidental’ meeting at Starbucks, there was no doubt that she was still attracted to him.

  She just wasn’t ready to admit it yet.

  The only difference between now and eight months ago was the fact that Brian wasn’t going to quietly step back and wait. It was game on as far as he was concerned and he was going to wear her down until she agreed to go out with him. He wasn’t quite sure how it was all going to play out but all he was sure of was the fact that he was in love with Ava Callahan and he was tired of hiding it.

  Finishing his own coffee, Brian eventually left the shop and realized that he had nowhere in particular to go. The sun was still shining bright in the late August sun and he felt momentarily at a loss what to do. There was always the possibility of going to the campus bookstore and trying to talk some sense into Ava but he had a feeling that would only serve to hamper his campaign to win her over. No, he needed to let her have a day or two to think about how she felt about seeing him again.

  He thought about his friendship with Mason and how his actions were going to affect them and then stopped himself. When Mason had called him yesterday to tell him that he’d seen Ava and told her of his engagement, Brian had been shocked. Not that Mason had called, they had resumed their friendship not long after the canceled Christmas wedding, but the fact that Mason had seen Ava and was actually telling Brian about it. They had known each other too long to stay mad and Mason had admitted that Brian’s disapproval of his wedding was a real eye opener to him.

  It wasn’t until well-after the smoke had cleared that Mason figured out that Brian had feelings for Ava. He never said whether he approved or disapproved, but it was by silent agreement that she was never brought up in conversation.

  Until yesterday.

  Was his friend trying to tell him that it was okay for him to see Ava? Date her? Brian shook his head, unsure of whether or not any answer he came up with would be legit or a figment of his own inner desires. Eventually they would have to talk about it because Brian’s ultimate goal was to have Ava fall in love with him and marry him. He didn’t want his friendship with Mason to end but if he had to choose, he was choosing Ava.

  Walking along the city street, his mind strayed back to the night he’d shown up at Ava’s hotel the night before her wedding. It was never far from his mind, but after seeing her today, having her so close and not being able to do anything about it had his subconscious in overdrive. That first kiss only solidified what he already knew; Ava was the one for him. He was certain they’d been on the same page until she’
d stopped him.

  The windows were fogged from all of the steam they seemed to be creating with their kiss and if Brian had his way, he’d never stop kissing her. He felt Ava pulling away but wanted to keep her close, scared of what she was going to say.

  “Brian, we have to stop,” she said as he continued to kiss her cheek, her throat. Carefully, she pulled out of his embrace and he could see her trembling. “I’m getting married tomorrow,” she said weakly.

  “Don’t do it, Ava,” he pleaded. Hadn’t she heard anything that he’d said? “Mason doesn’t love you the way you deserve. I love you,” he began but she cut him off.

  “You don’t love me, Brian, you barely know me!” she turned away from him and now it was her turn to pace the room. “We hung out a couple of times and now you’re saying that you’re in love with me? It’s not possible!”

  “You may not want to believe me, Ava, but it’s true! I knew the first time we met that you and Mason were all wrong for one another. You’re complete opposites!”

  “Opposites attract…”

  “That’s bull and you know it! Can you stand here and tell me that you’re okay with giving up your dream of a career, a career that you’ve been working very hard toward, so that you can be a trophy wife?”

  “That’s not what’s going to happen. Mason is merely looking for…”

  “A meek little wife who will host his dinner parties, schmooze his clients and make him look good. Is that what you want? Who you are?” he demanded.

  “That’s not how it’s going to be! Mason and I talked about it and I’m going to finish my degree and I’ll work!”

  “At what, Ava? How long do you think it will take before Mason’s going to need you to help him with something? Before he’s asking you to back out of your commitments because his are more pressing and more important? How long before you completely lose yourself and become whatever it is that he wants you to be?”

  Ava stared at him incredulously. “Isn’t Mason supposed to be your best friend? How can you stand here and talk like that about him? What kind of friend are you?”