Page 124 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

“Are you sure?” I ask. “I always felt guilty when I hung out on the weekends because I thought you and Aidan would want the mansion to yourselves.”

Ava waves her hand. “We spend like twenty-four hours together. Don’t you think I’m sick of the guy?” she jokes.“No, seriously, I miss having you around. You’re like a ball of sunshine.”

“Thanks. I think hanging out with you guys would do me good. I do need a break from life.”

“Yay! Just let me know when you’re ready and my driver will pick you up.”

I shove some things that I’ll need into my backpack, swing it over my shoulders, then make my way downstairs, where Mom is reading up on some nursing-related stuff.

“Good morning, Lexi. Did you speak to Ava?” She notices my backpack and smiles. “I see you did. She called me this morning and asked if you could hang out over the weekend. I thought it was perfect timing because you could use the break.”

“Thanks.” I close my arms around her and kiss her cheek. “I think a weekend away will do me good.”

It doesn’t take long before the doorbell rings.

“That should be Peter,” I say, once again putting my arms around Mom. “You sure you’ll be okay here by yourself?”

“Of course, honey. Don’t worry about me. You just enjoy yourself.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I wave and make my way to the door.

Peter, Ava’s driver, tips his hat and wishes me a good morning. He’s been working for her family for years and was her personal driver when she was my age. He would drive Skylar and me to school every day after Aidan got together with Ava. So he knows me pretty well.

“It’s so good to see you, Peter,” I say with a smile and give him a quick hug.

After we get in the car and he drives me toward the mansion, we catch up on each other’s lives. Peter is on the older side, so it’s interesting to hear his perspective on a lot of things. Plus, he lived through a lot of major events, so it’s nice to hear firsthandwhat it was like. I’m almost sad when he slows down before the mansion.

“Thanks so much for the talk,” I tell him after he opens the door for me and helps me out of the car. “It’s so fascinating to hear your stories.”

“I’m thankful there are still young people like yourself who are eager to hear from old folks like us,” he says with a chuckle.

“Of course! You’re like a well of knowledge.”

After thanking him for the lift and wishing him a good day, I run up the stairs and ring the bell. The exterior of the mansion is so freakin’ beautiful. I think Ava’s paternal grandparents used to live here. But they gave the mansion to Aidan and Ava as a wedding gift.

One of the staff members, Barbara, greets me and welcomes me in. The interior of the house is even more stunning. It feels like I’m in a palace. I used to be a little worried about getting the shiny marble floor dirty, but Ava has assured me a million times that it’s okay. After all, they hope to have kids one day and they would want them to run around and have fun and not worry about making a mess.

Barbara leads me to where Ava sits on a lavish white sofa. She has a smile on her face as she taps through something on her laptop.

“Miss West is here, Ava,” Barbara tells her.

Ava’s eyes lift from her laptop. With a squeal, she puts it aside and jumps to her feet, rushing toward me and flinging her arms around me. “I missed you so much, Lexi!” She lets go and steps back. “Let’s see the future Clara.” She tucks a finger under her chin. “My, my. How beautiful is this kid? And so grown up. I remember when you were eight and came to your first dance practice. You were so excited. I didn’t think the light would ever leave your eyes. And I was right! It’s still there.”

I laugh. “Thanks for inviting me. I miss hanging out with you and Aidan.” I glance around the room. “Where is my brother?”

“My dad called for an emergency meeting right before you arrived. Aidan was so sweet to offer to go in my place so I could be here to welcome you. Your brother is so considerate. I can’t believe I married such an amazing man.”

I beam. “Kind to everyone around him, especially those he loves. Just like my dad.”

“What?” Ava asks.

“My mom and I were talking about my dad last night. She says she sees him in all three of us.”

“I wish I could have known him. He sounds like he was an unbelievable person.”

“He was.”

“Speaking of which.” She puts her arm around me and leads me to the sofa, placing the laptop on her knees. “I was just looking through old family photos your mom sent me. Your dad is in a lot of them.” She faces the laptop toward me and starts tapping through them.