Page 34 of To Fall or Not to Fall

A va

“There’s nothing I enjoy more than watching you watch my favorite movie,” Theo says, squeezing my hand as we sit on the couch. My heart floods with joy as I stare at him.

“Is that your way of saying I have to watch Star Wars forever?” I ask. “Because I don’t know if I can live the rest of my life only watching Star Wars.”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. We can watch Star Trek, too.”

“No, thank you.” I laugh and grab my drink.

“What are you two laughing at?” Aria asks from her armchair. She’s been scrolling through her phone for the last ten minutes while the movie played.

“I was just telling Ava how much I love seeing her enjoy my favorite movie,” Theo says.

“She’d never have watched it if she didn’t love you.” Aria giggles.

“What did I miss?” Arabella asks, walking back into the room with a large bowl of popcorn.

“Want some?” she offers.

“I’m okay, thanks,” I say, shaking my head. “I’m still full from the treacle cake Ava made for dessert. That was pretty delicious.”

Arabella sits on the Persian rug. “I was wondering what Aria was looking at on her phone,” I say, glancing pointedly at her screen.

“Just a dating app.” She shrugs. “Seeing as you’ve got a man, it’d be nice if I could find someone, too.”

“Oh, I didn’t know you were looking on a dating app,” I say, surprised.

“Well, seeing you and Theo all loved up makes me want someone for myself,” she says.

“You’ll meet someone. He’ll be just as handsome as Theo, but maybe not as rich,” Arabella adds, popping popcorn into her mouth.

“Hey!” Theo raises his hands. “I’m more than my looks and money.”

“He really is,” I say, grinning. “And he’s awesome in bed, too.”

“Oh, gross!” Arabella covers her ears, and Aria sticks her tongue out at me.

“Do you want us to hate you? Do you want us to chuck you out of the cottage?”

“No.” I laugh. “I was just trying to make Theo feel good… so maybe he’d stop the movie.”

“Never!” he says. “We have three more to watch.”

“Oh, please… not tonight,” I groan. He just laughs.

“I’m going to the restroom,” I say. Theo stands up, and Popsicle jumps from her spot on the couch.

“Oh my gosh, she loves you so much. And I love her, too,” he says, rubbing her head. “Who knew I’d become so domesticated?”

“Not me. I still remember the day Popsicle jumped on you in the street and got mud all over your pants.

“You looked like you wanted to strangle her,” I tease.

“I would never strangle Popsicle,” he says. “Don’t you know how much I love dogs? Okay… maybe not all dogs, but I definitely love Popsicle.” He bends down and picks her up. “She’s my little baby.”

I watch my dog lick him eagerly and roll my eyes. “Such a turncoat. I thought I was your favorite.”

She shoots me a look and then turns back to Theo.

“I’ll be back,” he says. “I guess I’m taking her with me.”

“I guess so,” I say, watching them leave. Then I turn to Arabella and Aria.

“Do you guys hate me?” I ask.

“Why would we?” Arabella says, eating more popcorn. “You’re here with Theo, laughing and teasing each other. It’s obvious you’re in love.”

“No, we’re happy for you,” Aria adds. “Even though I’m here scrolling on a dating app, looking at losers, I’m happy for you.”

“Yeah, girl. You’re going to find love, too,” Arabella says.

“I might have already,” Aria says, giggling. “You wanna know what?”

“What?” I ask.

“I may or may not have applied for a ghostwriting job, in between swiping.”

“You may or may not have applied for a ghostwriting job? What do you mean?” I ask in surprise.

“I was thinking about what my dreams were and I want to write professionally and I want to fall in love.” She shrugs. “I decided I should start trying to make at least one of them happen.”

“Oh wow, okay. So you applied for a ghostwriting job? Wow.”

“Yes! For a rich old lord. He wants a biography written, splitting his time between England and the States. And I think he’s paying a lot of money, so that doesn’t hurt.”

“Seriously?” Arabella asks.

“Yes. And I figured if I got the job, I could take some time off to visit England, research the Regency period, and meet the aristocracy… you know, the whole author immersion thing.”

“I mean… okay,” I say. “If that’s really what you want to do.”

“I do. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll meet a handsome son who’ll sweep me off my feet.”

“He’d have to be a prince to make you a princess,” I say.

“Maybe.” She laughs.

Arabella shrugs. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I want to find love, too, but none of the guys in Coconut Beach appeals to me. Boring.”

“What about Theo’s friends?” I suggest. “Aren’t they all billionaires in New York?”

“Well, Theo loves you and is willing to stay in Coconut Beach. Not every guy will do that, especially ones I haven’t met yet,” Arabella says.

“Fine,” I nod in agreement. “I’m very lucky.”

“Jared is coming back with friends. Maybe one of them will be hot.” Arabella giggles. “He can set me up with one of them.”

“Would he want you dating one of his friends?” I raise an eyebrow at her comment. Jared and Arabella had always been the best of friends, but he’d always seemed overprotective of her and possessive of her time when it came to other men. I really couldn’t see him hooking her up with his friends.

“Why wouldn’t he? He wants the best for me.

He’s protective, but it’ll be fine.” She beams. “He wants me to be happy.” She grins.

“And if he doesn’t like it, I’ll tell him to get his act together and get over it.

If I want to hook up with one of his friends, I will.

” She flushes and I wonder if this is a conversation they’ve had before.

“Yeah. How’s he enjoying LA?” I ask. “Or is he traveling overseas again? When’s the last time you saw him. It’s been years right?”

“He’s loving it in LA. He finished his bachelor’s and master’s. And he’s been so busy working and traveling. We talk on the phone and text, but yeah I haven’t seen him in a while. I’m so excited to catch up when he’s back.”

“Good, I can’t wait to see him,” I say, exchanging a smile with Aria.

We were both pretty positive that Arabella and Jared were made for each other, even if they were too dense to see it.

I’m about to make a comment about a potential summer romance between the two of them when Theo returns to the living room with Popsicle following like a regimented soldier.

“What did I miss?” he asks as he stares at my grinning face.

“Not much,” I say, standing to pull him into me. “I’m tired, Theo. Can we go to bed?”

“But it’s only nine,” he says.

“I really want to sleep,” I whisper, pressing my hand to his chest and kissing him.

“Oh my gosh, you doofus,” Aria calls out. “She doesn’t want to sleep. She wants to?—”

“Aria!” I say.

“What? I’m just telling him what we all know,” she says, grinning.

I laugh. “I don’t know if he’s up for that.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Theo says, wrapping an arm around my waist, pressing me close. His lips find my neck, and I close my eyes, reveling in the weight of him against me.

“Guys, get a room!” Arabella calls.

“We did not sign up for an R-rated movie tonight,” she adds.

I pull back slightly, giggling. “I almost forgot you guys were here.”

Aria asks, “Am I opening the store tomorrow?”

“Yes. You don’t mind, do you? Theo was going to take me for a sunrise walk on the beach, then fishing.”

“It’s fine. I love opening the bookstore,” she says.

“And even though it may look like Aria and I are haters, we’re really happy you two finally got together. Theo, if you ever lie to our girl again, we will kill you—with a serrated knife. And we know a butcher,” Arabella adds.

I glare at them.

Theo’s voice softens. “I love—capital L-O-V-E—adore, and worship Ava. I will never lie to her like that again.”

“Good,” Arabella says.

“And if you two are heading to the bedroom,” she adds, “can we sit on the couch? The floor’s not comfortable.”

“Of course,” I say. “Sit on the couch. Aria, you too.”

“Well, we kind of gatecrashed your date…”

“What if I buy another couch for the living room?” Theo suggests.

“No. I don’t want you paying for things,” I say, glaring at him.

“If he’s going to be here a lot,” Aria shrugs and gives me a look, “he can buy a couch. We’ll all be here watching movies, and I don’t want to be seated next to you lovebirds. He can afford it. He’s not my boyfriend. I don’t feel bad about it,” Aria continues, and I sigh.

Theo bursts out laughing at my expression. “Maybe I’ll buy you a Tiffany bracelet for Christmas. Not a Ferrari, though.” He tickles me, and I try and push him away.

“Hey! Don’t be jealous,” Aria pipes up. “He’ll buy you stuff, as well.”

I laugh then because being around my favorite people always makes me happy. “If he wants to buy me or you a Tiffany bracelet, fine. You barely make anything at the bookstore, so you do deserve a treat.”

“How’s the bookstore going?” Theo asks softly.

“It’s going really well. The strategists have been helping for a month. Book clubs, movies, ticket sales… all great.”

“I’m glad,” he says. “I only want you to succeed.”

“I know,” I say.

“When we get married,” he says, “our finances will be together. If I want to ensure your store is thriving, I’ll inject cash, but I don’t want the start of our relationship to be about money.”

“I know,” I say.

“Which is why I love you,” he says, his hands squeezing me.

“Ready for bed,” I murmur.

He winks. “Shower first?”

“Yes,” I say. “But I’ve never… made love in the shower.”

“Not the way I want to,” he says, grinning.

We heads to the bathroom, Popsicle following.

“I love you, Theodore,” I whisper.

“Not as much as I love you, Ava,” he says. “And I’ll show you in just a couple of minutes.”

He pulls off his top, then his pants. I lick my lips, and he grins. “I knew you couldn’t resist.”

“Really?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Did you not think about this body when we were… broken up?”

“Number one, we weren’t together. Number two, maybe. Number three… it doesn’t matter. We’re here now, and I know you thought about me more than I thought about you.”

He pulls me close. “Every hour of every day. And the day you forgave me, told me you still loved me… best day of my life. This,” he presses me against him, “is the second best.”