by Lulu Pratt
“Whenever I’m forced to have uncomfortable conversations, I take a deep breath, and expect the other person to just go completely left. You never know how people are going to react, so just be prepared for anything,” he explains and I nod my head, wondering if he can possibly know how fitting his advice is for my situation.
“Okay, don’t get rattled,” I repeat.
“It’ll be fine, Ava,” he laughs softly like I’m overthinking it.
“Yeah, it probably will. I’m going to head there now, so I’ll call you later.”
“Call me as soon as you finish,” he says sternly.
“Why?”
“Because you’re stressed, baby. I need to know you’re okay once it’s over.”
“You’re at work, so don’t worry about saying it back, but I love you, Logan,” I say softly as I settle into my driver’s seat.
“I love you, Ava,” he responds, shocking me, because I can hear voices in the background.
My drive to the restaurant is short, because I’ve picked our favorite Mexican place right on Wilshire Boulevard. After finding a parking space, I’m a little late, but I still don’t see Petra, so I get a table, ordering two margaritas, while eyeing the door with my heart beating through my chest.
“Don’t let her rattle you,” I repeat quietly to myself over and over until I see Petra walk through the door, looking like her normal carefree self.
Waving my hand, I call her over to my table and she plops down, taking a deep sigh before wiping her forehead with one of the napkins from the table.
“Sorry I’m late, I had to park on Fairfax.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I’m just glad you could make it. I ordered us margaritas,” I smile, trying to look and sound as casual as possible.
“Cool. So look, what did Logan ask you about me?” she leans across the table, looking anxious and desperate.
My nerves shoot through the roof, and I can feel sweat pooling on my back. So much for staying cool and not getting rattled, because she came in with a blow I was not expecting. Of all the possible scenarios I rehearsed, none included her bringing up Logan first, and now I feel pushed on my heels as I struggle to gather my composure.
“What do you mean? Why would Logan ask me about you?” I try to flip the question, but she doesn’t budge.
“Okay, so he didn’t ask. He just looks at me weird whenever you bring him around.”
“He looks weird? Petra, you literally ran out of the room the two times you saw him.” I rationalize his behavior as opposed to hers, because he did act a bit peculiar the first time he saw her at the office.
“What’s holding you up on cashing the check, Ava?” she asks dryly, completely ignoring my point.
“I haven’t invoiced him for anything and I don’t plan to. What work I did for him isn’t going on the books, so don’t worry about that,” I clear that up, not wanting to hear her gripe about billing Logan ever again.
“He wrote you a check for two years of our revenues. Are you seriously not going to cash it?” she says.
I never told Petra about the offer Logan made when I was avoiding him after discovering his manipulation. She asked, but I was so mad I couldn’t answer, and then I left the next day and didn’t see her. From the time I got back from Fiji, things between us were so rocky, it just never came up.
I am also sure I never mentioned the check to her as I knew she would want to cash it immediately. Besides, things with Logan were at a much different place and the letter and the check were irrelevant.
“What is your problem with him?” I try to understand her change in attitude. Ever since I met her, she’s never behaved so foul or aggressively to anyone. She treats Logan like he’s done something personal to her, but from their interactions I can’t see them having any history.
“What’s my problem?” She laughs.
The waitress returns, placing our margaritas on the table, but I can’t even begin to consider drinking now. I need all my faculties to deal with Petra and her unbelievable behavior.
“Logan is a fucking prick,” she begins, sipping her margarita as my eyes widen with shock, my teeth clenching defensively as she insults the man I love.
“He comes from a disgusting family who will do anything for money. All he cares about is how much he’s worth, and he thinks everyone is for sale – including you!”
“Did you sleep with him?” The question falls from my lips before I can stop it, but she’s just so bitter and scorned it’s the only thing that makes sense.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Logan knows the type of women he can get, and I’m not one of them. He just uses people, taking what he wants before discarding them like trash. I bet he’s wining and dining you, flying you on corporate jets and the whole nine yards. He’ll have fun until he’s tired of you. Just remember that while it’s special to you, it’s not to him. You’ll never be more than a peasant to Logan, trust me on that,” she nods as if she’s just said something so profound that she expects me to double back in understanding.
“Petra, you don’t even know him,” I say as I shake my head in disbelief of her anger and behavior over a man she’s never even had a conversation with.
“What makes you think you know who I know and who I don’t? Listen, I’ve taken you under my wing, I’ve introduced you to the city, but you’re still green, baby girl. You’re getting used by one of the biggest users in LA. Logan is a playboy – known for being one. You think you’re the first girl he’s taken on a business trip so he can fuck you when he wants? You had a successful career and you were respected, but he comes along and asks to buy you. He asked to buy your time like you’re a prostitute so you can be on his beck and call for him whenever he wants to drop a load off inside you. He probably doesn’t even wrap it up when he fucks you, because he doesn’t give a fuck about anybody but himself.”
She looks away as if she’s completely disgusted with me, and I feel small. She’s made me feel very stupid, because she knows so much about me and has used that knowledge to prey on my insecurities.
This meeting was to confront her about a piece of jewelry she stole from the man I love, but now I can’t find the words to even defend myself against her rude comments. I’m frozen in discomfort and humiliation as I fight back my tears in silence, staring at this woman who is now a stranger.
“Ava, at some point you were going to have to grow up. I’ve taught you all I can and on this one you really jumped out there like you were smarter, like you knew more than me. I hate to break it to you, but you didn’t. You got played. Welcome to the big leagues. You’re not in Kansas anymore, sweetie.” She sips her drink until the straw loudly sucks up air as she sighs deeply, looking around the restaurant as if I’m not even there.
“I just don’t understand how you could talk to me like this. I thought we were like sisters,” my voice is weak and cracking as the tears prick my eyes. This isn’t what Logan coached me for, and I wish he was here now to help me be stronger, but he’s not, and from what Petra said, he won’t be around for long.
While I know my feelings for Logan are real, I can’t help but doubt his feelings after hearing so many truths in Petra’s argument.
Flying on his corporate jet wasn’t special to Logan, just like having people in the house he throws parties in. He didn’t take me to his regular home, and he did ask to buy my time like I was a hooker. I’d struggled with Logan’s deception in the beginning, but never considered him to be using me, now it seemed obvious he is not the man I romanticized him to be.
What struck me the deepest was her mention of unprotected sex. She knew I had never had sex without a condom, so her insult only made me believe it was something she had heard about Logan from someone else.
“Ava, it’s really nothing personal. I mean, am I upset that you chose to listen to a man you barely know over the person who took you in when you were a pale toothpick from the middle of nowhere? Sure, but that’s not the point,” she pauses as her phone rings.
“Yeah?
” she answers in a hurry, glaring across the table at me so intensely, I look away.
“Are you fucking serious? What a bitch! Okay, here I come,” she ends the call quickly before jumping up from the table.
“I gotta go. Don’t tell your boyfriend about this,” she utters before rushing from the table. My tears begin to fall before she’s made it to the front door, my heart broken from her betrayal.
Chapter 36
Logan
“Jenn, I’m trying to be patient. I swear to you I am, but I cannot understand your logic,” I try to stay as calm as possible, but this girl is begging to be fired with her constant mistakes.
“Mr. Draper, I thought you wanted the beach house ready for the weekend, that’s why I had them set it up today,” she justifies, her face flush as her hands tremble by her sides.
“Jennifer,” I close my eyes, using her whole name out of frustration.
“Mr. Draper, you said that Ava wanted to go swimming.” She raises her hand as if that’s a good defense.
“In the pool, Jennifer!”
The guilt is immediate as her eyes glass over, her chest trembling too, and I know I’ve fucked up. It’s not her I’m really frustrated with, but because I can’t direct it at the right person, I’m taking it out on her.
“I’m sorry,” she mutters.
“No, no, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled. Just… just get your things,” I begin and she blanches.
Realizing her thoughts, I quickly explain my words. “No, you’re not fired, Jenn. I fucked up. I shouldn’t have yelled at you, and I’m just frustrated. I was just going to tell you to take the day to yourself. So, you can get your things and have some time to yourself. You know what? Take the beach house! Go up there, it’s all set up. Take a friend, but don’t have a party. It’s my apology.” I hold up my hands, watching her brighten before my eyes.
“Thank you, Mr. Draper. I’ll forward the calls to my cell and patch them through like I’m here.”
“No, don’t worry about it. Just have the day off. I don’t want any calls,” I decide and she nods seriously before walking out of my office.
Taking a deep breath, I lean back on my sofa, trying to calm myself as my mind runs wild with frustration and annoyance. I can’t decide who to trust these days.
“Mr. Draper, I’m sorry to interrupt,” Jenn peeks her head in the door.
“What is it?”
“A call,” she whispers, knowing I just asked her not to give me any calls.
I sigh deeply.
“It’s Ava, sir. And she seems pretty upset,” she says and I spring to my feet rushing to the phone before signaling for Jenn to leave.
“Ava?” I pick up the phone.
“Where were you?” She cries softly as my cell phone illuminates on my desk with five missed calls. Fuck, I think to myself.
“I’m sorry, I had my phone on silent. Are you okay?”
“Yes… no…”
“Ava baby,” I whisper. She’s so innocent in a city of devils. Everyone is out to get each other in this draining town, but Ava is pure and real like no one I’ve ever met before.
“I’m okay, really I am. Just hearing your voice calms me. I’m sorry I freaked out,” she says with a sigh. Her voice is steadier, but I still need to get to her. Knowing she’s out in the city crying somewhere all because of her stupid ass roommate pisses me off.
“Tell me where you are,” I coach her as calmly as I can manage, my heart ready to jump out of my chest.
“No, Logan, you have work. I just needed to hear your voice. I promise I’m okay.”
I know she’s lying. “Ava, please.”
“El Caminos.”
“I’ll be there in five minutes.” I say briskly, ready to end the call before her soft voice interrupts me.
“I love you,” she cries, her voice weak again, and my stomach tenses, desperate to get close to her.
“Just wait there, okay?” I ask her softly and she agrees before hanging up.
Charging through the door, I’m shocked to see Jenn sitting at her desk. Her face is clear, tears dried and she looks as professional as ever.
“Call the car for me,” I call to her as I jog to the elevator.
“It’s already downstairs, sir,” she answers.
“Give yourself a 5K bonus, and go to the beach house now,” I yell over my shoulder before jumping in my private elevator. I hear her gasp just as the elevator doors open.
The Bentley pulls to the curb of the restaurant four minutes later, and Ava rushes out of the door, barely making it into my arms before tears pour down her face.
With my arms draped around her in the backseat, I rub her back as she cries so hard she shakes. With a nod and a wave of my finger, I silently instruct my driver to just drive in circles while I figure out what’s wrong with the woman I love.
Eventually, Ava’s breathing slows as she inhales deeply before sitting up so that I can see her red and puffy eyes.
“What happened?” I ask.
“I just love you so much, Logan. I really do. I don’t know how all of this has gotten so complicated with Petra, but I don’t care. She was mean and nasty, but I only care about you,” she rushes through the words so quickly they barely make any sense.
“Okay… did you grow up with Petra?” I ask, deciding it might be a good time to ask a few questions for myself.
“No, I just met her in college. We took a few classes together. She’s been like a sister, and I never thought she could talk to me like that.” She wipes her eyes with the back of her hands as the tears begin to fall again.
“Has Petra ever told you anything about me?”
Her bottom lip curls adorably as her chin wrinkles and tears fall from her eyes. I don’t think I could love this girl any more than I do right now.
“She told me you’re a user and that you’re only doing to me what you do to every other girl,” she says quietly, looking down as she talks. I stay silent, not wanting to interrupt or deter her.
“She said you’re a playboy and have girls all around the city, that I’m just one of them and that you’ll be over me soon. She called me a… prostitute and said you bought my time and she made me feel bad about canceling all my clients, but she was the one who convinced me to! Then, she said you were from a nasty family and all you care about is money. She even guessed that you didn’t use a condom with me, because she said you only care about yourself,” she looks up when she says the last accusation and my stomach drops from the hurt in her eyes.
“Ava, I can’t deny all of that. I haven’t been an angel, but I guarantee you what we have is nothing I’ve ever felt for anyone else. This is real,” I lift her chin up with my index finger, as her lips curls so sweetly I have to bite my lip to stop my grin from spreading.
“What I can tell you is, I’ve never taken a woman on a trip with me, never tried to do anything romantic like I have with you, and never, ever, ever have I had unprotected sex. I didn’t even want to with you, I just couldn’t control myself, and after I felt you, there was no way I was putting anything between us.” I tell her the truth, watching her eyes clear, if only slightly, before I request the truth from her.
“Now, I need to know, Ava. Is there anything you need to tell me about Petra?”
Her eyes instantly flood over as tears stream down her face so quickly she can’t stop them fast enough.
“When I went to see you at your office and we had, uh,” she glances at the driver and I squeeze her hand at her modesty after just revealing we don’t use condoms.
“Sex,” I finish her sentence for her.
“Yeah. I went home and packed for Australia, but I couldn’t find one of my dresses. When I went in Petra’s room to look for it, I found this beautiful piece of jewelry, but it didn’t look like anything she could afford and it wasn’t even her style. I was so excited to go, I just pushed it to the back of my mind. But then I saw the way you looked at that brooch in Sydney, and I knew that she had stolen
from you and that it happened the same night that we were at your home. I was all fucked up about it, but I thought I could just return it when I got back. I wanted to tell you the truth because I’ve never wanted any secrets between us,” she pauses and looks at me.
I clench my jaws to fight the urge to assure her it doesn’t matter and comfort her, but I put emotions aside and do what needs to be done.
“But when I got home, the brooch was gone, so I didn’t know what to do,” she whispers.
“So, you cut me off,” I remember, making sense of her sudden absence.
“Yeah,” she whispers, shame in her tone.
“Ava baby,” I call her by her nickname and her cloudy hazel eyes slowly focus on me.
“Yes?”
“Tell me the truth. I swear I won’t be mad. Did you know about Petra’s plans when you came to my house?”
“Logan, I swear to God, I didn’t even know who you were. We were supposed to be going to a club and she just found your party by chance,” she cries, her tiny frame heaving as she cries so hard my chest begins shaking from the rumbles.
While I’ve gotten some of the answers I need, I know I’m far from the whole truth. Some things still don’t make sense, and I’m going to play my position until I get to the bottom of it.
Chapter 37
Ava
My breathing is ragged as the hiccups make their appearance following a crying spell like that. My body is spent, but I feel lightened by one hundred pounds after revealing the truth to Logan.
Petra’s betrayal has devastated me, but I don’t even care after knowing that Logan still loves me. Being by his side is the safest place in the world, and I feel completely protected as he drapes his arm around me.
“You’re staying with me today,” he says and I happily nod in silence as he signals to his driver.
His hand rubs my back in a circular pattern, soothing me without a word. I still can’t believe how desperately I needed him after Petra’s episode. While I feared that some of the nasty things she said about him were true, he was the only person I wanted after she was so mean to me. His voice alone was enough to calm me, and now I am just grateful to have him hold me.
