Page 74 of Lucas

“I wasn’t sure who was your family. Are any of them single?” She winks.

“Michelle!”

“What? You snagged yourself a rich, hot one. I want that too.”

I can see Lucas’s chest puffing up from here. Can’t feed his ego with compliments, so I don’t respond to that at all. I lower my gaze to my plate and pick at my food.

“Liam is the youngest and still single,” Lucas answers. “He’s only twenty-eight, though, and I don’t think he’s ready to settle down yet. It seems no one is up to his standards.” Lucas chuckles. “Actually, he’s your age, right?”

“No.” Michelle shakes her head. “I’m thirty. Two years older than Ava. We met in college, in the business program. I had to retake a course. Turns out I’m not so great at Strategic Management.”

“What do you do, Michelle?” Lucas takes a bite of his food and looks at Michelle like she’s the most fascinating thing in the universe.

My chest tightens.

“I sell medical equipment. Go from clinic to clinic, hospital to hospital, selling them supplies.”

“Sounds like it involves a lot of travel.”

“Yeah. That’s what I love most about it. I love interacting with people, seeing new places. But I’m not home much, which makes it hard to form relationships and friendships. I always try to throw a party when I’m back in town to see everyone at once. Ava doesn’t like to come to my parties. She’s too serious.”

I twist my lips. I’m not too serious. I just don’t enjoy Michelle’s irresponsible, carefree friends. Thirty-year-olds without a care in the world. I never fit in there.

Lucas glances at me, looking almost curious. “Yeah, she’s not much of a partier, is she?”

“That’s not true. I just have different preferences.” I lower my eyes to my plate and continue pushing the food around.

“Oh? Like what?” Lucas prods.

They both stare at me, waiting for an answer. “What is this, gang up on Ava day?” I take a small bite and chew slowly. What do I enjoy doing? I studied in college, got my master’s degree. Started working for Gant, replaced Father just a few months ago, and now I’m immersed in the company and all the tasks involved in running it. What have I done in recent years besides study and work?

The silence stretches uncomfortably as I struggle to find an answer. Lucas and Michelle exchange a glance.

Lucas clears his throat. “Hey, no pressure. We all have different ways of unwinding.” His voice is gentle, and I'm grateful for the lifeline he's thrown me.

Michelle nods, her earlier teasing tone replaced with something softer. “Yeah, Ava. I didn't mean to put you on the spot. Maybe we can plan something you'd enjoy next time I'm in town?”

I manage a small smile, relieved that the moment has passed. “That would be nice.”

We finish eating, the conversation drifting to lighter topics.

As we prepare to leave, Lucas apologizes that we need to hurry back to the office. I hug Michelle, promising to meet up again soon.

“You barely touched your food,” Lucas comments the moment she walks away.

“I ate as much as I wanted. Are you monitoring my plates now?”

“Need I remind you who watched over you last night when you were sick and nearly passed out? You promised me you’d eat at lunch.”

“And I did. You’re not my father, and I didn’t ask you to watch over me, not yesterday and not now.” I raise my voice without meaning to.

“Okay. You’re right. You didn’t ask.” A shadow flickers in Lucas’s eyes, but he changes the subject. “What about those documents I requested?”

“I’m working on them. You’ll get them soon.” I increase my pace.

“What’s there to work on? You need to click a few buttons on the computer and send them to me. Do you need help with that?”

“No, our old files aren’t digitized. I need to search for them.”