Chapter Seven

Ava

Hallie: Wear a dress. We're all getting dressed up.

I blink rapidly at the text, hoping it will change. Of course, it doesn't, which leaves me with one big decision to make. I can show up in something casual and comfortable, as I had originally planned, or I can dig in my closet—way to the very back—and find a dress, as requested.

I don't dress up. My work attire might consist of slacks and blouses, but I pick for comfort more than style. Now, my friends are asking me to step out of my comfort zone— again —and wear a dress. Off the top of my head, I have the red dress I wore to my cousin's wedding in Florida and the black dress I bought for Blair and Gabe's wedding. Since that was just over a week ago, I may have to go with the red one.

Sighing, I pull my options from the closet and take a hard look at the red dress. It's definitely a summer sundress style, but maybe I could pair it with one of my black sweaters. Then, a memory hits me. I return to my closet and find that black, sparkly sweater I bought a few years back but have never worn. I should have returned it, but I felt guilty, since I bought it at the women's boutique in town. It wasn't her fault I purchased the item and then realized it wasn't really to my taste after I got home.

It has more sequins than I remember, but it's a gorgeous piece. Wearing it over the dress might be the perfect look I was going for. Plus, the sweater is warm, so I don't have to worry about freezing to death in a summer dress on the last day of the year. Knowing I only have two options for shoes, I grab the calf-height black boots and pray it all works together. Though, I suppose if it doesn't, it's my friends' fault for insisting we dress up for a New Year's Eve party that starts in two hours.

Besides, I have no one to dress up for but myself.

My opinion's the only one that matters.

I spend the next hour getting ready. Really, I take short breaks to read between hair, makeup, and wardrobe. That's the real reason it takes me an hour. Otherwise, I'd be done in twenty minutes. Though, I did add a bit more dramatic makeup than I usually wear, as well as curled my hair. I still pulled it all back in a clip to keep it out of my face, but it appears more delicate and elegant than my normal no-fuss ponytail.

Finally, it's time to head over to Gabe and Blair's house. Once my place is locked up, I get in my vehicle and back out of the driveway. I'm super grateful to Marcus and happy to have my small SUV back, but my savings account took a small hit in the process.

Speaking of hits to the bank, my mind goes to the quotes Gavin sent to me earlier. They're not exact, but at least a rough estimate of what it would cost to fix my messed-up roof. As soon as I received the texts, I sent them to Dad for his advice. He suggested I go ahead and do it all at once to ensure the new peak of the porch matched and flowed with the rest of the roof, and while I agree, I cringe when I think about writing that check to cover the expenses.

The biggest decision I have left is shingles verses metal. Personally, I prefer the shingle look better. There's just something about the metal that makes it all look shiny and out of place, and I definitely don't like some of the random colors Gavin sent pictures of. Light blue, green, and even a red color is offered, and I hate every one of them. The only color that truly interested me was the charcoal gray. In fact, I like it for both the metal and the shingled roof. Plus, the darker gray color will look great with the deep blue siding color I dream about purchasing one day.

There are several cars already here when I pull in, which is crazy because I'm always early. Yet, I find TD's truck, Logan's truck, and a few others already here. As soon as I park, I pull out my phone and make sure the text message said seven. Upon confirmation, I slip my phone back into my purse and climb from my vehicle.

Carefully, I make my way up to the front porch of the house Gabe purchased several years ago. It took him a few years, but he slowly remodeled the entire home in his free time—if you can even call it free time when you're a physician.

Before I even take the first step up, the door flies open, and Blair is there. "I'm so glad you came!" she bellows, opening the storm door and waiting for me to step inside.

"Thank you for the invitation," I reply, shrugging out of my winter coat and handing it to Blair, who hangs it in the closet. "You are glowing," I add as I take in her long-sleeved, navy-blue wrap dress that hits just above her knees. It's classic and stunning on the petite brunette, and she's paired it with tan ankle boots.

"Oh my gosh, red is your color," she declares, pulling me in for a quick hug.

I feel my cheeks heat up as I glance down. "Thank you. I admit, I don't have a lot of dresses, so I had to be creative."

She waves off my comment. "You look like a million bucks. This sweater is so great. The boutique?" she asks. When I nod, she adds, "I knew it! They have some amazing pieces in there. Come on, let's get you something to drink." As we step into the gorgeous kitchen, she says, "We have some non-alcoholic drinks, as well as red and white wine and beer."

"There she is," Hallie proclaims, getting up from her stool and walking over to greet us. "Oh my gosh, this sweater is fire."

I look down once more, grateful the red dress beneath it is covering the cleavage the sweater would have shown without the extra layer. "Thank you."

"Come on, Hallie and I made tons of snack food this afternoon," Blair informs me, leading me toward the kitchen island where a massive spread of food waits.

"I told you I would have been more than happy to bring something," I insist.

"Please, there was no reason. I knew we'd have plenty of food," Blair replies.

"These pregnancy cravings are wild, and I can't stop eating. That's why I volunteered to do food," Hallie says with a laugh.

"Ava!"

I turn to find Ellie entering the kitchen from the hallway. She's wearing a bright blue fitted sweater with a sleek pair of black pants and looks absolutely stunning. "Wow, that outfit is gorgeous."

TD walks by. "I know," he practically growls, winking at his wife as he goes.

Ellie blushes a deep shade of red. "He's incorrigible," she mutters, shaking her head.

"He just knows what a smoke show wife he's got," Hallie states, never one to shy away from speaking her mind.

"Damn right he does!" TD hollers from the fridge as he retrieves a beer.

"What would you like to drink, Ava?" Blair asks, waving her hand to the counter by the fridge like Vanna White.

I'm not much of a drinker, but a glass of white wine does sound good right now. Plus, it's early enough in the evening I'll have plenty of time to flush my system with water before I drive home. "White wine, please, but a small glass."

"Coming right up," Blair says, grabbing a wineglass and filling it halfway. "If you don't like that kind, there's a few more bottles we received as wedding gifts in the cabinet."

I take a small sip. "This is great, thank you."

I wave a quick hello to a few other guests I recognize and take a seat at the counter beside Hallie. "How are you feeling?"

"Not too bad," she says, dipping a chunk of Hawaiian bread into spinach dip. "Twenty-four weeks already. On one hand, it's flying by, but on the other, it feels like I've been pregnant for years with no end in sight. I can literally feel my ass getting bigger every day, and by the time I actually make it to the delivery, I'll be as big as a house. Logan will probably run for the hills soon."

I scoff at her in shock. "What? That man is completely in love with you. No amount of weight could ever make him stop looking at you like you hung the moon and the stars."

She rolls her eyes. "That's because I've got some epic level of horny going on. He just loves the sex he gets twice a day."

My mouth drops open as I lean in. "Seriously?"

Hallie nods. "Totally. We've had more sex on his desk at work in the last month than I could count. Like, daily. These hormones are wild. He puts up with my crazy because he gets it so often."

Logan appears out of nowhere and kisses her neck. "I love every bit of your crazy, Cupcake."

"You just love my vagina."

He snorts a laugh. "I do enjoy that part, yes, but I love you. Your vagina's just a spectacular bonus."

"Jesus, what did I just walk in on?" Gabe grumbles, his hand stopping halfway to the chips as he slowly retreats. "I'm going to go give myself amnesia now." Then he spins around and practically runs away in disgust.

Hallie laughs. "I love grossing out my brother."

Logan kisses the tip of her nose, and I look away quickly. The moment feels intimate and private, despite being in the middle of the kitchen, surrounded by friends. "I think he enjoys returning the favor."

She makes a gagging noise. "Please don't talk about my brother and…that."

"Can I talk about it? Because your brother does this thing with his ton—"

"No, no, no, no, no!" Hallie bellows, sticking her fingers in her ears to try to keep from hearing intimate details about her best friend and her older brother. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Blair giggles. "Nothing. It's quite nice."

My entire face feels like it's on fire as all eyes turn to me. "So, what's been going on with you lately? Seeing anyone?" Hallie asks, a not-so-subtle glint in her eyes that has the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.

"Uhhh, no," I reply hesitantly, just as a knock sounds on the front door.

"I'll get it!" Blair hollers, bolting for the front entrance.

"No one special. Huh. We'll have to find you a partner."

I glance at Ellie, who looks a little embarrassed. "Partner? For what?"

"Euchre," Ellie replies.

"But I don't—"

"Gavin's here!" Hallie bellows, throwing her arms up in celebration.

And that's when it hits me.

I'm being set up.

Everyone welcomes Gavin to the party, and even though I try to look away, my eyes completely betray me. They drink in his dark jeans and black Henley shirt that hugs every muscle he has like he's a glass of water on a hot summer day. His jaw is scruffy, and when he laughs at something Gabe says, his entire face lights up in a way that makes my heartbeat quicken.

My word, this man is simply gorgeous.

Then, his gaze swings toward me, and the grin he once had spreads into a full-watt smile. Not only does my heart feel like it's going to burst from my chest, but it's hard to draw a simple breath into my lungs. Like a moth to a flame, I'm drawn to him in a way I've never experienced before. There's this wild attraction I've never felt. It grabs hold, refusing to let go, and the more I fight it, the tighter the pull.

I clear my throat and look away, trying to get my bearings. I'm certain everyone here just watched me practically drool over one of my student's dad. My gaze returns to Hallie, who's wearing a smug smile on her face, clearly having orchestrated this little setup behind my back.

Looking to Ellie, I whisper, "I smell a rat."

She holds up her hands in surrender. "I had nothing to do with this."

My narrowed eyes return to the guilty party sitting at the island. She flashes me a wide grin, one that speaks of her guilt and the fact she doesn't care. "I don't even know how to play Euchre."

Hallie waves off my comment. "It's, like, the easiest game to learn."

"What?" Ellie bellows with a laugh. "It's so hard!"

"That's what she said!" Blair quips as she rejoins our group.

"Don't think I don't see what you're all doing," I mutter, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me. No way are my friends using a New Year's Eve gathering to set me up.

"We're not doing anything," Hallie insists. "We're not actually playing Euchre, so no partners, but if you just so happen to fall in love with Gavin anyway, then remember who had a hand in bringing you two together."

I groan and shake my head. "You three are terrible."

"Hey, this was all their idea," Ellie states, reaching for the chips and dip.

"Traitor," Hallie grumbles.

"Listen, we're not trying to make you uncomfortable or anything," Blair insists, reaching out and taking my hand. "We just noticed Gavin might have a little crush on you, and since, well, all three us of have found our happily ever after, we just want the same for you. We've not said anything to Gavin or would never push you to do something you don't really want, so if you're not interested in him, we completely understand and will back off immediately."

I open my mouth to say just that, to confirm I'm not interested in him, but nothing comes out. The words just seem to die on my tongue, which might actually be worse than developing a little crush on one of my student's father. The fact I can't even deny it sends me reeling.

When no one says anything, I finally mutter a weak, "Rules."

Hallie rolls her eyes. "Rules are meant to be broken."

"Says the woman who got drunk and slept with the guy she couldn't stand," Blair mutters softly.

"Yes! See? I broke that rule— twice! And got myself knocked up! But that rule was definitely meant to be broken, because the sex was…" She whistles low and fans her face.

My face flushes once again as I glance around the room and realize the guys all went into the living room. "What are we playing?" I ask, seeing them sitting around a poker table set up in the middle of the room.

"Thirty-one," Blair replies.

"I love that game. My grandparents taught me and my sister how to play when we were younger," I say.

"Come on. We can all join in. Grab three dollars," Hallie says, reaching into her purse and retrieving the money. She slides off the barstool and lets her belly lead the way. She's so stinking cute, as is Blair. Both have those cute little pregnancy bellies going on, where all you want to do is reach out and touch it. I don't, of course, because that's rude. A lot of women actually don't want you pawing their stomachs, at least without asking permission.

I pull the requested money out of my purse and set it on a chair out of the way.

"Start over! We want to play," Blair tells Gabe as we enter the large space. The fireplace is roaring, making the entire room cozy and adding a soft flickering glow of light.

There are two tables set up, so everyone spreads out and starts finding a seat at one of the two tables. Marcus arrives and agrees to play, making twelve of us. I'm introduced to Naomi, Max's girlfriend. She's from Hudson, a neighboring city, and works at the post office. I know Max, who was a couple years younger than us in school. In fact, I believe he was in Gavin's class.

By the time we get done chatting, I turn and find only one seat left.

Right next to Gavin.

Of course, Hallie just gives me a sweet smile, as if she didn't somehow orchestrate that while I had my back turned.

The moment I take my seat, I'm assaulted with the rich, woodsy scent of his cologne. It tickles my nose and makes my thighs clench just a little tighter. It takes every ounce of self-control I possess not to lean his way and inhale deeply.

Gabe goes over the rules, and everyone agrees to start with three dollars. The loser with the lowest score at each table, of each round, puts a dollar in the middle. The person who wins the final game wins the money.

"Hello, Miss Rutledge," he murmurs softly, the timbre of his voice causing my nipples to pebble.

"Hi," I squeak out, my voice suddenly sounding more like a Muppet than my own.

"You look incredible," he adds, his gaze taking a leisurely stroll down my sweater and dress.

"Oh, uh, thank you," I mumble, wishing I weren't so dang awkward when I'm nervous.

And let's be real. Ever since I started to notice Gavin Pierson, I've been nervous, especially when he looks at me the way he is now. His hazel eyes are full of appreciation and interest, and I can't help but wonder why. What could a handsome man like him see in a nerdy, introverted schoolteacher like me?

I'm only comfortable around kids.

"Ready to win some money?" he asks, his eyes sparkling.

I take a deep breath, not sure how I'm going to survive sitting beside this sexy man all night and not reacting. "I'm ready."

I'm just not sure what exactly I'm ready for.