Page 35

It’s been two and a half years since I’ve watched him play in person, since he’s wanted me at one of his games, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to miss it when I can do something to ensure my friends and I are there.

“We don’t need to rob a bank,” I say, then with shaking hands, I dig into my purse and pull out the credit card hidden in the back of my wallet, the one collecting dust.

Sliding it across the table, the silver card glints under the pendant light as Charlotte meets my eyes, a crease in her brow and a question in her dark eyes.

“Just use this. Charge all three to this card, and it’ll be taken care of. None of us will owe a thing.”

Except for me. I’ll be in my father’s debt again.

Brynn’s eyes widen as she picks up the card with a hiss. “Holy shit. This is a Amex Platinum.”

With a frown, Charlotte squints at it over her shoulder before her eyes fly wide, and I know what she sees.

I hold my breath, my back rigid as I wait for their reaction.

“Why does it say Reginald Astor on this card above your name?” Charlotte’s dark eyes lift back to mine.

“Reginald Astor?” Samantha says to my right, snatching the card from Brynn’s hands to take a look. “Like the Reginald Astor? As in the owner and developer of the Astor Hotel Group?” she says, watching my wary expression grow. “The largest hotelier in the country?”

My expression remains impassive as I say, “That’s the one.”

“Holy shit.” She drops the card on the table as if it burned her fingers.

Brynn’s mouth parts but nothing comes out, and Liz gapes.

Finally, it’s Charlotte who speaks. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

I shrug. “What was I supposed to say when I introduced myself? Oh, by the way, my father’s loaded, but I wanted absolutely nothing to do with his money or his connections?

Hey, guys, remember my reasons for breaking Damon’s heart and mine in the process?

Oh, yeah. That was on account of my father, who, by the way, is the richest man in the world.

Telling him no is hard. ” I stare at them, feeling my hackles rise, hating that I’m on the defense.

“Did each of you tell me who your parents were when we met?”

Samantha scratches her head. “She has a point.”

“You think?” I say with a laugh, because I’m not sure what else to do. I’m still unsure of what they’re thinking. All I know is that they’re still staring at me as if I’m the golden calf, and I’m not sure if they want to slaughter me or put me on a pedestal. Both are equally awful.

Brynn’s eyes soften as she sinks back against the booth. “Your father was the reason you broke up with Damon?”

I nod in confirmation, grateful when she doesn’t ask for more details, and partly relieved when she exchanges a glance with Charlotte, then slides the card back toward me. “Then if you don’t want to use your father’s wealth or connections, neither do we.”

For a moment, I just blink at them, stunned. My attention shifts to the credit card they slid back to me and something warm unfurls inside my chest. “You’re serious?” I manage.

“Of course we are,” Charlotte says, her voice gentle but firm. “We’re not friends with you because of who your father is.”

Liz nods emphatically. “We’re friends with you because you’re you . The Avery who makes the best damn lattes at Java.”

“And who always gives us extra whipped cream and chocolate shavings,” Brynn chimes in. I snort out a laugh as she adds, “Avery who listens to my endless rants about how in love with Jace I am.”

“Or the Avery who just a few days ago, listened to my endless rants about my family without judgment,” Samantha comments.

“Avery who volunteered to chaperone a charity dance for kids with no question, all because of a particular hunky football player.” This comes from Brynn.

“Avery, who clearly loves hard,” Charlotte says. “Who can’t pretend or hide her feelings.”

“And who’s determined and romantic.” Liz winks. “And can’t throw a strike to save her life.”

Tears pool in my eyes as they continue, and all I can think is, This is it. This is what it feels like to be truly seen. To have friends who accept me, not for my last name or my father’s wealth, but for who I am beneath it all.

“You guys . . .” I whisper, voice thick with emotion.

Charlotte reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “We don’t need to go to Houston on first-class tickets. We’ll figure something else out or we won’t go at all, and we’ll support our men from here. It’s that simple.”

I look down at the platinum card, feeling the weight of everything it represents.

Using it would mean giving my father an inch—and with Reginald Astor, an inch might as well be a mile.

But not using it would mean missing Damon’s championship game, something I’m unwilling to compromise on.

And by using it, I can give these ladies a gift, the same way they’ve given their friendship to me.

Pushing the card back toward Charlotte, I glance up at her, meeting her dark eyes. “We’re using it.”

“But?”

“I don’t want to miss this,” I say, adamant. “Damon and I are finally getting somewhere, and I want to be there for him. I’ll pay my father back if I have to. Whatever it takes. All I know is I need to be at this game, and I want you girls with me.”

“You’re sure?” Brynn asks, her violet eyes uncertain.

I nod, my resolve strengthening. “I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”

My father only has power over me if I let him. Besides, I’ve kept his secret for more than two years. Two and half years, in fact. It’s eaten me up inside and caused me nothing but pain. He owes me.

Exhaling, Charlotte punches some buttons on her phone, then glances up with a grin. “Well, ladies, it looks like the three of us are going to Houston. Tonight.”