Page 26 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

Shit.

Wincing, I turn again to face her. “I didn’t mean—”

“Oh, I know exactly what you meant.” She sets down the tray of sweets that she was about to load into the display case and crosses her arms. “Wren Taylor, that is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Well,hedidn’t want me,” I say, and I hate it, but my voice breaks.

“And who said he’s the standard?” Ava is in front of me in a flash, pulling me into a firm hug. “Who cares about what Adam does or doesn’t want? There are better men out there, Wren, and they’d love to be with someone like you.”

Blinking back tears, I whisper, “I just feel so stupid.”

“Don’t.” She squeezes me. “You two had a life full of plans together. It’s okay that you weren’t ready to let go.”

“I don’t… I don’t know if I can do this.” I fan at my face, trying to dry my unshed tears before they ruin my mascara. “I don’t want to get hurt again.”

“You’re allowed to take as much time as you need. And when you’re ready, I think you’ll have people lining up to get their chance to be with you.”

I snort and roll my eyes. “Yeah, sure.”

“Listen, all I’m saying is you have atleastthree men who’d instantly fall to their knees and beg for a chance to be with you. You need to heal, sure, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do so while getting with book boy and his friends.”

I freeze, almost dropping the sleeve of cups in my hand. “What’re you talking about?”

Ava gives me ayou-can’t-be-seriouslook. “Wren. You’ve been flirting with them every week formonths.”

“I—well, I mean, I don’t think—it’s not really—no, I haven’t!”

“Wren.”

“They’re fun to talk to, andgodthey’re all so hot, but there isn’t anything there. They’re way out of my league, and you know it. I know it.Theyknow it.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Just look at them! They’re obviously super rich. Probably got fancy corporate jobs in finance or something. I’m not from their world.” I shake my head and grab a sleeve of medium cups. “And you can’t convince me that they’re single.”

A smile plays over her lips. “I still think they’re the ones who put that extra money in the tip jar around Christmas.”

“Even if they did, it doesn’t mean anything.”

“It’s worth a shot,” she says in a sing-song voice.

“The shot isn’t there, Ava.” I push the cups into their dispenser. “They flirt with me on Fridays because I’m the pretty woman at the register. If it was Thursdays and I was the one on drive-thru duty, they’d be flirting with you.”

She frowns, her nose wrinkling. “Not for long. I wouldn’t play along.” Then she gestures to her apron—or, more specifically, to the pins on it. “And, uh, hello?”

I smile, my gaze dropping to the lesbian pride flag pin. “Fair enough. But my point still stands. If another pretty woman who they thought would be attracted to them was manning the register, they’d flirt with her, too.”

Ava raises an eyebrow at the hint of disappointment in my tone. “Jealous of this imaginary woman, are you?”

Heat creeps through my body. I can’t deny I’m attracted to Elliot, Oliver, and yes, even Rhett. I’ve gotten over my initial worry that he hates me. How could I not after what he did to that guy who threw his drink at me?

“I knew it!” Ava exclaims.

“You’re never gonna let this go, are you?”

“Not until you give yourself a chance to be happy.” But then she schools her grin, her expression turning more serious. “Whenever you’re ready, that is.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. Truly, I don’t know when that’ll be. Finding someone who I’d be willing to trust with my heart again… it feels so impossible. And I can say with confidence that the only men I’d be open to giving a chance to aren’t seriously interested in me that way.

“We’ll see,” I say.

“Just promise me you won’t let what he did rule over you.”

“Ava…”

“Promiseme.”

Everything feels so uncertain now—my love life, my future. But Ava is right. Single or not, I still have a life to live. Over time, the shame will fade. Maybe I’ll find love again, maybe not. But I won’t let Adam take my happiness away from me.

With a nod, I squeeze Ava’s hand. “I promise.”