CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Ava
We’d had a great deal of couple’s time at the chalet, and we’d been together every night since he showed up at my apartment. So, for Valentine’s Day, Lucas and I decided to do the family thing instead. I’d flown my sister in for the weekend, and she was staying with me. Lillie was so grown up now, and so excited to hit the big city for dinner.
I loaned her one of the cocktail dresses I’d designed, and we met our group at the Rainbow Room and were seated at a table with a fabulous view of the city skyline.
Lucy was dressed in a chic new suit, looking stern when Harvey made eyes at my sister. I had no idea how she’d forgiven him for the heart attack sham, but she seemed to have him on a short chain, and he looked pretty damn happy about it.
Harvey’s reading glasses dangled on his nose as he looked at the menu then shot a glance at Sylvia, who was practically dancing in her chair. “Is there something you’d like to discuss?” He was a billionaire businessman through and through, the one with too much to do and too little time for another person’s feelings at first glance. But underneath, he was all teddy bear. I could see now where Lucas got his outlook on life, but Lucas, with his extreme personality, had just let his life circumstances take his lifestyle too far.
At that moment, nothing seemed more wonderful or ideal than being here, surrounded by these people. When I’d left the hospital the night of Harvey’s fake heart attack, I thought maybe this whole thing was meant to jump start my engine, get me to appreciate what I had. I was ready to start my own boutique and hoped that I might even find someone just like Lucas one day, without Evil Lucas lurking in the shadows.
The trouble was, I didn’t want to find someone just like Lucas. I wanted him.
In the past week, we’d spent a lot of time together, and we were so in tune, naturally, like at the beginning. Every day we became closer.
Tears filled my eyes when Sylvia, her hair now a more natural color of dark brown, clinked her fork against her wine glass after our orders were taken. “I want to offer my sincere gratitude to all of you. I’ve known Ava since the day I started school here in New York, and have done my best to try to crack her open enough to let some fun seep into her life. I signed her up for your contest,” she gave a head nod to Harvey, “to do just that, and force her out of her element. I’m happy to report she’s met the challenge and is in a good place.” She waggled her eyebrows. “A very good place, if you know what I mean.”
Everyone around the table snickered as my cheeks got hot. It was amazing that I could still blush after my time in the chalet.
After that, Lucas made a toast to Uncle Harv, thanking him for all he’d given him. Then he turned to Mason. “Thank you, cousin, for giving me another chance when what you should have done was sucker punch me the minute I let my guard down.”
“Nah,” Mason returned, putting his arm around Isabella. “I leave the dirty moves to you.”
“You learned much earlier in life than I did, son.” Harv gently took Lucy’s hand into his own. “I’m just grateful for that. The whole competition was way beyond my expectations. Mason and Lucas, I commend you for the growth and determination you’ve shown. Isabella and Ava, you ladies are my heroes. I have such a deep and everlasting respect for both of you strong, independent, and incredible women.”
Lucy leaned forward, never one to be put out of the spotlight for long. “I wouldn’t say your work with Lucas is over just yet, but I do think the two of you are off to a nice start.” I loved Lucy and her fiery ways and hoped to be able to spend more time with her.
“What about you and Harv? Do you think you two will get married one day?” I’d asked an innocent question, but it made her laugh.
“Oh sweetie.” She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “We’ve been married for years. We just choose to keep it a secret, so as not to spoil Harv’s nefarious reputation with the ladies. We’re both older now, though, and we’re happy to just be old together.”
Lucas knocked over his drink and the glass shattered against my plate, a pool of red wine soaking into the tablecloth in the shape of a heart. “What? You’re married? How long have you been married? And why haven’t you told us?”
Harvey turned a shade of purple. His lips moved, but nothing came out.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Unc lose the ability to speak,” Mason said. “Leave it to him to withhold the fact that we have a grandmother.” He raised his glass and grinned. “Welcome to the family, Granny!”
Lucy frowned but slowly lifted her glass with the rest of the table as we toasted her.
“I hope I have a relationship like yours when I grow up.” I laughed, happier than I’d been in a long time.
“What’s the difference between a prostitute and a wife?” Harv grinned, looking around the table, but no one dared answer. “A wife accepts credit cards!” Lucy elbowed him as he burst into raucous laughter.
“You sure I should leave you here tomorrow with this crazy bunch, sis?” Lillie raised her eyebrows in mock horror, but I could tell from the gleam in her eyes she was enjoying the spectacle.
I leaned to my left and embraced my sister, sorry she was going back to school tomorrow. But now that I had the funds, I could see her whenever I wanted. And I had work to do to get my design shop up and running.
“It takes a lot of courage and strength to be in love, but I’m sure you two will do just fine.” Lucas kept a serious face, but everyone caught on to the humor of him imparting this knowledge, and there were smiles around the table.
I looked over to Mason as his and Lucas’s eyes met. My heart warmed as I witnessed this new solidarity and hoped they could continue to put the past behind them and forge a new relationship. Lucas needed him as a friend and a cousin. As family.
I didn’t know Isabella very well but wanted to know her better. I wanted to be able to claim this family seated before me as mine more than I could express. I’d held back with Lucas because of the short time we’d known each other, but I was sure we had a future together.
And we had time. There was no rush.
*
Later, at my place, it was time to give Lucas the Valentine gift I’d worked so hard on.
I was nervous.
“It was hard thinking of what to get a man who has everything and can easily get anything he doesn’t have, but I hope you like this as much as I loved making it for you.” With him standing expectantly in my living room, his eyes blindfolded, I gripped the black garment bag. My heart raced, and I had butterflies in my stomach. “Okay, you can take it off.”
Lucas’s surprised and excited expression was all the encouragement I needed to zip open the bag. He stepped closer and touched the deep blue material of the suit jacket reverently. I was also working on a line of casual menswear that was bright, fun, and yet also sophisticated.
“Ava.” Lucas’s brilliant gray-blue eyes danced with pleasure. “You designed this for me? You’ve captured my style perfectly.” He slipped the jacket off its hanger, gingerly touching the tag that read Lucas Huffman Collection by Ava. “This is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.”
I practically beamed at him. “I’m happy you like it.”
He draped it over the back of the couch, his excitement palpable. “Come sit. I’m so excited to give you your gift. You deserve it more than anyone I know. It took me a while to find you the perfect gift, but I think I’ve done it. At least I hope I have.” He handed me a green manila envelope as I sat, giving me a sweet kiss.
With unsteady fingers, I tore it open, finding an official document inside. “You…” Tears gathered in my eyes, and I looked up at him, speechless.
“Do you like it?”
I had a hard time getting the words out, but with some effort spoke past the pressure gathering in my throat. “You bought me my own fashion boutique on Fifth Avenue? Lucas!” The tears brimmed and fell as he gathered me into his arms.
“I hope those are happy tears. Are they, love?” He actually sounded worried. How could he sound worried?
All I could do was nod and clutch the deed to my dream boutique to my heart as I absorbed the love I felt in Lucas’s arms. This felt so right, spending Valentine’s Day together, him holding me, our future hopeful, bright and beautiful.