Page 72 of Loving Wild

“What calls does your dad need to make?” I question.

Stepping forward, Gabe slides his hands around my waist, then down to my arse and pulls me against him.

“Oh, nothing important. He was just gonna give your name and number to a couple of people who might want to use your design services at some stage.”

I can’t see his face; it’s buried in my neck. His lips lay a path of tiny kisses from behind my ear and along my jaw.

I know it’s a distraction, and I know Gabe just lied to me. I don’t know how I know, but the knowledge leaves me with a sliver of unease, which I bury until I have a chance to revisit.

* * *

After a noisy breakfastand even noisier farewells, we pack our bags and the girls into the car. We make a quick detour to a nearby supermarket and pick up enough pads to get Ava through the next couple of months before dropping Sophie off, then pull up on the driveway of Lena’s house to drop Ava.

“I’m gonna go talk to your mum for a minute. You be getting your stuff out, bub,” Gabe says as he climbs out of the truck. Unsure of what to do, I pause for a moment before opening my door and climbing out myself. I don’t want to meet Lena, but I do want to say goodbye to Ava, and just check that she’s okay with everything and has no questions.

Her back is to me as she leans into the car to pull out her bags. “Don’t forget what I said, call or message me with any questions,” I tell her as she passes one bag out to me, then turns as she puts her other bag over her shoulder. “Or just ask your mum,” I add. “You’ll need to talk to her anyway about the swimming comp.” Ava had mentioned earlier that she’s part of her school’s swim team and has a competition coming up in a few weeks’ time and was worried it would clash with her next period. “You can’t wear pads in the pool, but I think you really should talk to your mum first before using tampons, don’t just go ahead and do it.”

Her eyes slide from my face to look over my shoulder, and I assume Gabe is behind me, but when I turn, there’s a tall, slim but very pregnant blonde approaching, and she’s beautiful.

Stunningly beautiful.

Lena.

I’m not sure what the expression I’m wearing on my face is as she approaches. I’ve been taken by surprise, so I don’t know if I’ve plastered on my smile in time, but if there was even a hint of one there, it vanishes when Lena speaks.

“Just so we’re clear, Ava won’t need to be calling you for period advice. I’ve got it from here.”

Instinctively, I want to come at her with fighting words, but I feel Ava step closer, almost pressing herself against my side, so instead, I make sure that my smile is definitely in place and aim it Lena’s way.

“Of course, but you weren’t there yesterday, so I did what any woman would do and helped another woman out. We stopped off and bought pads earlier. If they’re not the type you want her to use, just bin them,” I say with a shrug and another smile. Lena folds her arms over her chest, and I continue. “She has a swimming comp in a couple of weeks. I’ve explained to her pads are no good in water, so you’ll need to discuss what you do about that.”

She nods, licks her lips, and gives a shrug of her own. “Thanks,” she says quietly.

I’m not sure what kind of response she was expecting from me, but I have a feeling it wasn’t that.

“I’m Lauren, by the way,” I say, holding out my hand.

“Lena,” she replies, taking it and giving a small shake. “Ava’s told us about you.”

I tilt my head and give Ava a small smile, she misses it as she stares at her mum. When I turn back towards Lena, I see Gabe walking from the front door towards us with another man, who I assume is Dean, Lena’s husband. He has a blond-haired toddler bouncing on his hip and holding his arms out towards Ava.

She steps forward and takes him as he screams out, “Va Va” while wrapping his chubby arms around her neck.

“Hey, kid, you have a good weekend?” Dean kisses the top of Ava’s head and asks.

“Yeah, we had the best time,” she replies before blowing a raspberry on the little boy’s palm and making him squeal. “Missed you though, bubalub,” she tells him.

“I’m Dean, you must be Lauren?” Dean says but doesn’t hold out his hand.

“I am,” I reply. My eyes slice from him to Gabe who mouths ‘Sorry’ to me from behind my welcoming party’s back.

There’s an awkward silence before Dean says, “Right, well, get the baby inside, I’ll bring your bag.”

With the baby still in her arms, Ava turns to me and pulls me in for a cuddle. “Thanks for a great weekend, Ren, and for looking after me.”

“Anytime, beautiful girl, anytime,” I reply while sliding my hand to her back and holding her there for a few moments.

Stepping away from me, she moves to her dad. Not wanting to hang around any longer than necessary, I open the car door.