Winston Brothers Box Set - Stacey Lewis Page 0,100

be the one she confides in, even though I don’t understand why it’s so important to me. I don’t want to, but reluctantly I nod my head in agreement. “Okay. I’ll let you try talking to her, but you have to tell me what she says.” Narrowing my eyes playfully, I point my finger at her to show that while I’m teasing, I’m also completely serious. I want to know everything Ava says to Fallon.

“Oh, you’ll let me, huh?” Fallon rolls her eyes, but the smile on her face shows she’s amused, but when her eyes meet mine, her expression turns serious. “I’ll tell you what I can, but if she confides in me, about anything, I won’t break her trust. If you ask me to, I’ll sic your brothers on you.”

I hold my hands up in surrender, because if she complains to Reed about anything, he’ll kick my ass all over the building, and I’d rather not have that happen. God knows the man is already on me about everything else. “Fine.”

We leave my office just as the bathroom door down the hall opens, and my head turns so fast I feel a sharp pain in my neck. But, it’s not Ava’s beautiful eyes that meet mine. No, it’s Andi’s dark ones instead. My shoulders sag in disappointment. Fallon’s hand cups my cheek, and when I turn back to face her, she’s giving me a warm look that’s full of affection. “I’ll go check on her.” She glares over at Andi, who’s giving us both a smug look. “If Andi was in there, Ava’s definitely going to need a friend.”

Fallon walks away, passing Andi on her way to the bathroom. I hear her mutter, “Bitch,” under her breath as she does, and I snicker at the pissy expression on Andi’s face. No one here likes her, but since she hasn’t done anything to get herself fired, my hands are tied. It’s a damn shame and unfortunately, you can’t fire someone just for being the office gossip queen and a bitch.

As Fallon walks into the bathroom, I’m left standing there hoping like hell there is some type of redemption for me. After letting the mystery woman walk out on me, I can’t let Ava do the same. Even if I’m basing my reaction to her on this strange feeling her presence and smile gives me. I can’t give her up. I can’t give this feeling up.

I have to have her, even if it’s not in the way I want to.

She makes me feel alive.

She makes me feel, period.

Chapter Eleven

Ava

I should be happy Ryker and his brothers are at some meeting offsite that I don’t have to attend, but I miss having him around, even when he’s being a complete jerk. The work he left for me to do isn’t doing anything to take my mind off everything going through it either.

“Hey,” a soft voice says, and I jump in my chair, not realizing anyone was standing beside me. I was too lost in thoughts about Ryker and the fact that I might be pregnant. My period still hasn’t come, and the more days that pass, the more worried I become that it’s more than just stress causing me to be late. I wish I could remember just what happened that night with Ryker so I could put my mind at ease, but if I haven’t remembered yet, I doubt I’m ever going to.

“Ava?” I look up, startled for a second time, to see Fallon standing next to my desk with a concerned look on her face. “Are you okay?”

I try to smile up at her in reassurance, but I think it comes off more like a grimace instead. “Yeah, sorry. Just daydreaming, I guess.” Crap. It’s probably not smart to tell the CEO’s fiancée you’re staring off into space instead of working. “I mean--”

Fallon waves off any excuse I try to make with a laugh. “Don’t sweat it. I completely understand. All the numbers and statistics make me want to think about anything else too.”

My shoulders drop a little in relief. I’m so glad my mouth didn’t get me in trouble. Lord knows, I get into enough as it is.

Before I can say anything else, Fallon tells me why she’s here. I don’t usually see her, well, if you don’t count my barf fest the other morning. She stays on the floor Reed’s office is on, which is the floor above this one, and unless there’s a meeting I need