Chapter 68

Ava made her way to Jack's place, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation. She knocked on the door, and it swung open to reveal Liam, a whirlwind of excitement.

" Hi, Ava! You're here! " Liam exclaimed, bouncing on his toes.

" Hey, Liam! Ready for an awesome evening? " Ava grinned, stepping inside as Jack bid her a quick goodbye.

Liam nodded vigorously, already tugging Ava towards the living room. " Can we play superheroes? "

" Sure thing, champ! But first, how about we make some snacks? " Ava suggested, steering Liam toward the kitchen.

They concocted a snack platter filled with fruits, cheese cubes, and crackers, chatting about Liam's day at school and his favorite superhero powers. Liam's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he recounted tales of playground adventures.

With snacks in hand, they settled in the living room, donning makeshift capes and masks. Ava and Liam engaged in an epic imaginary battle against imaginary villains, complete with sound effects and dramatic poses.

" Whoosh! Bang! Pow! " Liam cheered, leaping around the room.

Their superhero escapades evolved into a treasure hunt. Ava had hidden small trinkets around the house, and Liam dashed from clue to clue, deciphering riddles and solving puzzles with infectious excitement.

" Found it! " Liam exclaimed triumphantly, holding up the final treasure—a shiny plastic ring.

" Great job, detective Liam! " Ava applauded, ruffling his hair affectionately.

As the evening progressed, they transitioned to building a cardboard castle in the middle of the living room. Armed with markers, they decorated the castle walls with vibrant drawings and designs.

" Dinner time! " Ava announced, steering Liam toward the kitchen.

Together, they prepared a simple yet delicious meal of homemade pizza. Flour flew, giggles erupted, and Ava marveled at Liam's eagerness to help, even if it meant messier countertops.

With satisfied tummies, they retreated to the fort they had built earlier. Inside, they played board games, told imaginative stories, and even tried their hand at some friendly arm-wrestling matches.

As bedtime approached, Liam's energy showed no signs of waning. They engaged in a spontaneous dance party, grooving to upbeat tunes until exhaustion finally caught up with Liam.

With a yawn, Liam snuggled up under his blanket, clutching a stuffed animal tightly. Ava sat by his side, gently brushing his hair until his breathing slowed, and he drifted off to sleep.

Jack returned home to find Ava sitting in the dimly lit room, a soft smile on her face as she watched over Liam.

" Thank you, Ava. You're amazing with him " Jack whispered, gratefulness evident in his voice.

" You're most welcome " She smiled at him warmly, showing him the dimple he never knew she had.

She took a glance at little Liam " He has been a good boy, right Liam? "

The little boy nodded and laughed, playing along with her.

Later, she bid Liam a silent goodnight, feeling a sense of warmth and fulfillment. As she left Jack's place, she couldn't shake off the joy and happiness Liam had brought into her evening, erasing her worries and filling her heart with newfound energy.

" Before you go, Ava " Jack began, his tone more serious as he leaned against the doorframe. " I've noticed things between you and Alex... they've been strained, haven't they? "

Ava's breath hitched slightly, caught off guard by Jack's directness. " I... I don't know what you're talking about, Jack " she replied, attempting to feign ignorance, though her eyes betrayed her unease.

Jack's gaze held a mixture of concern and understanding. " Ava, you and Alex used to be at each other's throats , but something's changed. You both used to pick fight at any chance you get but lately, it's been tense. I've seen the way he looks at you "

Ava's heart raced, a knot forming in her stomach. " It's not like that, Jack. We're just friends. Things... things got complicated, but it's nothing more "

Jack's expression softened, a knowing look in his eyes. " Ava, I've known Alex my whole life. He's stubborn, too proud for his own good sometimes. But he cares about you. More than you realize "

Ava hesitated, grappling with her emotions " I don't want things to be weird between us, Jack. Alex and I... we're just figuring things out. He has his own life, and I have mine. I don't fit in his, Jack. He shouldn't be with me. He can have any lady he wants, so why me? "

" I get it " Jack nodded understandingly. " But don't let misunderstandings fester. Sometimes, pride gets in the way of saying what needs to be said. He's family, Ava. And I care about you both. Sit him down and talk to him, slap some sense into him if it would help "

Ava laughed at that and sighed, feeling the weight of Jack's words sink in. " I'll try, Jack. But it's complicated "

Jack smiled gently. " I know it's not easy. Just... don't shut him out completely. Sometimes, it's worth taking a chance to mend things "

Their conversation lingered in the air, a silent understanding passing between them. With a final nod, Ava bid Jack goodnight and headed towards her car, thoughts swirling in her mind about the conversation and the unspoken feelings that seemed to hover in the air.

As she made her way to the mansion, memories flooded her thoughts—laughter shared, moments cherished, and the undeniable bond she had with Alex. Despite her attempts to brush it off, she couldn't shake off the truth in Jack's words.

Arriving at the mansion, Ava found herself contemplating Jack's advice. She knew she couldn't ignore the situation with Alex any longer. With a determined resolve, she decided to confront the unresolved tension between them, hoping to mend what seemed to be slipping away. She couldn't, especially not after what Dave said to hurt.

She caught herself looking in the mirror longer than usual, checking out her body, wondering what Alex could possibly want in a woman.