Chapter Nine

Ava

It takes two days to move and begin settling into L.A. Thank God for the relocation agency. It found me a reasonably priced, furnished apartment about an hour away from the medical center, plus the staff assisted me with used car shopping. I dreaded the prospect, girding my loins to deal with oily salesmen out to rip me off, but I ended up buying from an international student at UCLA who was leaving the country and wanted to get rid of her gently driven Toyota Camry. Only two years old, it’s silver and has very few miles on it. The price was quite reasonable as well, since she wanted to be able to sell without having to deal with a middleman.

All in all, I managed everything with the money I saved while working in Osaka and the small signing bonus I received from the medical center. The two million dollars from Lucas sits tight in a separate bank account so I won’t even see it. What I wanted from him wasn’t monetary, and in the end the sole reason I decided to accept it was Mia. She may never know her father, but she can at least get some financial help from him. Ray and Darcy would never let her suffer, but the world is an uncertain place, and I don’t want Mia to be vulnerable and without resources.

The second I’m ensconced in the city, I start working. Robbie turns out to be an absolute slave driver, which is actually nice. Keeping busy makes me too tired to think about Lucas and what happened. I can’t believe it’s been less than a month since that amazing time at the bed and breakfast…when I thought the world could be mine for the asking.

I should’ve known better. Stuff like that doesn’t happen to people like me. Only in movies and books, where reality doesn’t matter.

The medical center opening reception is tonight, it’s a big deal, and Robbie is in charge. I close my laptop and rush out to grab a quick bite. Should’ve brown-bagged it, but I got home late yesterday and didn’t want to bother.

The L.A. sun is blinding out on the sidewalks, actually making my eyes water. I put on a pair of sunglasses and walk a couple of blocks, my feet in purple flats that match my lavender dress. There’s an eatery near the office that’s owned by an immigrant couple from Tijuana. They speak excellent English with only the slightest accent. It’s popular in the area because of the low price and tasty food.

“Chicken burrito with guacamole,” I order. The sunglasses helped my eyes, but now my mouth is watering with anticipation. As much as I loved the food in Japan, they didn’t do Mexican very well.

The owner grins and quickly makes me a burrito that’s about the size of the business end of a baseball bat. I’m still not used to the portion sizes in America.

I pay and turn around, about to leave, then bump into a man in a navy suit. “Excuse me,” I murmur, although I’m sort of annoyed that he’s standing so close to me. Personal space, hellooooo…

“Ava?”

I snap my head up and blink at the familiar face. “Oh my gosh. Jon?”

Jon Barkley’s face splits from ear to ear. “The one and only.”

“What are you doing here?” I ask. “Last I heard, you were working for a big audit firm in San Francisco.” He graduated a year ahead of me from UVA. Accounting. We were in the same dorm my first year and went out a few times.

“Yeah, I quit that. Work at a bank now, just a couple blocks over. But I thought you moved to Japan. You here on vacation?”

“No. I work at a medical center. Just started.”

“Good for you!”

He seems genuinely glad to see me. I stare at the perfect, straight white teeth, then the well-formed, even features topped by neatly cropped sandy brown hair. It’s a really nice face, the kind that should get me flushed and attracted. He has a nice body, too, hard and strong. It’s obvious he works out and eats right.

“We should have coffee. Catch up,” he offers.

That is such a great idea. Jon is perfect. Normal. I’m certain he doesn’t have a father who’s demanding that he marry to inherit some pricey painting.

So what if my pulse isn’t racing? Chemistry is overrated.

“Sure. What’s your number?” I pull out my phone, and we exchange digits.

“If you want, we could meet after work tonight. Grab something to eat. I know a few nice places around here,” Jon says.

“I’d love to, but not tonight. Work function.” I flush, suddenly not wanting him to think I’m blowing him off. “The medical center has an official opening reception today, and I’m supposed to be there.” Then I remember something Robbie said earlier that morning. He wanted to know if I was going to bring a date, suggesting it’d be good if I did. I said probably not, since I didn’t know anyone I could bring…

Before I lose my nerve, I say, “But if you’re free…would you like to attend the opening with me? I don’t have anyone to go with, and my boss seems to think it’ll make him look like less of a slave driver if I bring a plus-one.”

“Formal?”

“Yes,” I say.

“I can do that. Text me the details, and I’ll pick you up.”

“Actually, I’m leaving directly from work, so it’ll be better if we just meet there.”

“Cool. I look forward to it.” He gives me another great smile and pretends to shoot me with his thumb and forefinger.

I smile back and leave with my lunch. My mind churns a bit, then starts chiding me. I shouldn’t have asked Jon. It’s like some kind of rebound…but worse because Jon is actually pretty cool, and I do like him as a friend.

I argue logically, of course. There is no harm in reconnecting with him precisely because he is a nice guy and I do like him. Who knows? This may grow into something. Back in the day, every one of my friends who met him liked him too.

I text him the event info. His answer is almost instantaneous. Great. See you there.

Perfect. Seeing him is exactly what I need. My new beginning isn’t just the new job, but a new everything.

I’ll be fine. I know I will, I tell myself as I rub the aching spot on my chest.