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Chapter Fifty-One
Victor
Laughter still lingersin the air, a sweet residue from the dessert we've all devoured. Plates are crumb-speckled and empty wine glasses sit proudly like trophies after a well-fought battle. Roman springs from his chair with a boyish grin, phone in hand.
"Alright, everyone squeeze in," he commands. "Gotta capture this."
He sets the timer and dashes back to the table, nearly knocking over his water glass as he slides into the gap next to me. The camera clicks, and we all hold our breath, hoping we don't blink or look away at the last second.
"Got it!" Roman's eyes confirm the victory before he even checks the photo.
Olivia's small voice cuts through the chatter. "Mom, can I watch some TV now?" She bats her eyelashes at Avery, who can't help but smile at her daughter's tactics.
"Sure, honey. But not too late, okay?"
"Thanks, Mom!" Olivia beams and hops off her chair.
Roman's head perks up at the mention of television. "Can I join her? Feels like a good time for some cartoons."
Avery arches an eyebrow, playful yet firm. "Roman, you've had enough screen time today. Those eyes need a rest."
"Ah, you're not wrong." He chuckles, hands raised in surrender. No one can say no to Avery, not even him. He settles back down, leaning into the warmth of friends and family, content without the glow of a TV screen. "I guess I gotta hang out with you boring adults then," he says and everyone laughs.
Sebastian leans back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Speaking of boring adults, how's that thrilling development project going, Victor? Still planning to bulldoze half of Worcester?"
I roll my eyes, knowing what's coming. "Very funny, Seb. You know it's more complicated than that."
Lawrence chimes in, grinning. "Oh yeah, super complicated. Let me guess, you're struggling to decide between beige or gray for the soulless corporate buildings?"
"Ha ha," I deadpan, but I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips. It's been a while since I've been on the receiving end of their ribbing. It feels... nice, actually. Like old times.
Roman turns to Avery, his expression mock-serious. "You know, Avery, we've figured out your game. Cozying up to our boy Victor here to get the inside scoop on your sworn enemy, eh?"
I tense slightly, worried how Avery might take this. But to my surprise, she plays along seamlessly.
"Oh, you've got me," Avery says dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "I'm actually a spy, sent to seduce Victor and learn all his evil developer secrets. My code name? Ice Queen."
The guys burst into laughter, and I find myself joining in, relief and warmth flooding through me. Avery's quick wit and easy manner with my friends is... unexpected. And incredibly appealing.
As the laughter dies down, I catch Avery's eye and she winks at me. I feel a flutter in my chest that I quickly try to squash.
"Didn't know you had it in you, Bennett," Roman says, eyebrows raised in mock surprise.
"Please," she replies with a roll of her eyes, "I deal with art critics and a ten-year-old on a daily basis. You guys are child's play."
A collective 'ouch' echoes as we all feign being wounded, and I can't help but let out a genuine laugh.My worry fades like the last crumbs of dessert; Avery's not just holding her own—she's thriving in the thick of it.
"So what's everyone doing for Christmas?" Willow ventures.
I glance at the guys, seeing shrugs and noncommittal murmurs. Sebastian's gaze meets mine, his expression telling me he's got no more plans than I do.
"Nothing solid here," I admit. "Was probably going to see if any local rinks needed an extra hand with the kids or something."
"Sounds about right for Mr. Scrooge," Roman teases, but the jab lacks its usual bite.
"Actually," Avery starts, a hesitance in her voice that has us all tuning in, "my place isn't much—it's definitely not this," she gestures around the room, "but you're all welcome to come spend Christmas in Worcester with me and Olivia."
"Really?" The word slips out before I can stop it, a mix of surprise and something warmer coloring my tone. To think of spending Christmas with Avery and her daughter, away from the cold expanse of my Boston apartment, stirs something deep within me.