Page 44 of Wild Heart

My head was spinning, the sturdy surface of the table the only reason I hadn’t collapsed.

In some small part of my mind, I had a moment of clarity.

Breathe.

Just breathe.

I took several slow, deep breaths.

Then I straightened myself up once I got control of the dizziness. And that was the moment I heard Ivy’s voice. “Hey, Ava. Come on. It’s time to eat.”

“Coming,” I called back.

I took another breath, swiped at the tears that had rolled down my cheeks, and made my way to the dining room. I forced a smile onto my face and was relieved to see that Jules had set a spot for me on the opposite end and side of the table from Tate.

For the first few minutes, everyone was caught up in passing food around and helping themselves to the incredible feast Evelyn had put together for her son. And the conversations ensued with Tate’s brothers and cousins getting on his case about being one year older.

I tried to focus on the food on my plate, but every time I heard his voice—without the bitterness and disgust he’d sent my way only moments before—my heart squeezed.

My belly was in knots, and I didn’t have much of an appetite. But I powered through, because I couldn’t bear to face the questions that would surely follow if I didn’t eat.

At some point, Jules caught my attention. While there were other conversations happening around the table, since she wassitting directly across from me, she started one of her own and asked, “So, are you here to stay?”

I swallowed hard. “That’s the plan.”

Her grin broadened. “I’m so glad. You’ve missed so much. Guess what happened while you were away?”

“What happened?”

I was waiting for her to tell me that she’d met someone and was in a relationship, but she proudly declared, “Cooper finished my bakery.”

My eyes widened. “Oh, that’s wonderful. So, you’re up and running now?”

She nodded furiously, happiness radiating from her. “I am. You’ve got to come and check it out after you get yourself settled.”

Nodding my agreement, I insisted, “Absolutely. I can’t wait to see it.”

“It’s incredible,” Skye chimed in. She was seated right beside Jules. “Cooper did an amazing job, and Jules just makes the best desserts. If I’m going to fit into my wedding dress next year, I’m going to have to start limiting my visits.”

“Sweetheart?” Cooper called, his voice so sweet and tender.

“Yeah?”

“You’re beautiful.”

Skye’s face flushed, a shy smile forming as she leaned into him. I pressed my lips together in an effort not to burst into tears. Tate had told me I was beautiful, and when he said it, I had believed him.

Now, no matter what my body looked like, I didn’t doubt Tate thought that what was on the inside was ugly. I foolishly glanced to the opposite end of the table and caught Tate’s eye. He had been staring at me, ignoring the conversation happening at his end of the table. As quickly as our eyes locked, I looked away.

And fortunately, I didn’t have to focus too much on how seeing this side of him made me feel, because Rhea leaned forward and around Ivy, who was seated beside me, and said, “Yeah, and after you catch up with Jules at her place, you have to stop by and visit with me. I’ve got pictures from the wedding to show you.”

“I’d love to see them. How was your honeymoon?”

“Oh, I want to go back,” she sighed. “We had the best time.”

Rhea went on to tell me a bit about her honeymoon. The conversation flowed from that and went to talk of work at our end of the table.

Though I knew it wasn’t smart, my eyes couldn’t seem to control themselves throughout the remainder of the evening. They’d sought out Tate, as they always did, and luckily, he didn’t notice most times.