Release the Stars (10 page)

“I haven’t—” Charlie started, but Josie was moving toward the gate in the fence already. Charlie hurried after her. “Let’s at least say goodbye properly.”

Josie turned around and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. She arched her eyebrows, as though asking
is that properly enough?
“Bye, Charlie. See you at practice on Wednesday.”

As the gate fell shut, Charlie retrieved her phone.

What’s her percentage?

Charlie stood grinning like a fool in her back garden, although she really didn’t have a lot of reason to.

CHAPTER TEN

Charlie toyed with Ava’s copy of
Crying Rivers
, trying to come up with a suitable message to write. When Ava had started to read a passage from the book last weekend, she’d stopped her from continuing because, unless Ava was different from everyone else who had ever talked to her about that book, she knew exactly which sentence Ava was going to read.

Charlie prided herself on writing straight from the heart, but
Crying Rivers
was a breakup book that contained a lot of the hurt about Robin, the ex before Jo. In a twisted way, Charlie had ended up being grateful for the agony that came with that breakup, even though it hurt like a bitch at the time.

Her phone rang. It was Nick. Charlie was running very late for a dinner party he and Jason were throwing, and this was his second call. The only other invitee was Ava, who had messaged Charlie throughout the week, cajoling her about the dedication Charlie would write for her in the book. She’d sent texts saying ‘
That must be some letter you’re writing for me, Charlie. What’s with you hanging onto the book for so long? Or do you have ulterior motives?’

These messages didn’t help with Charlie’s growing obsession with all things Ava Castaneda. Not trusting her ability to resist temptation, she’d compelled Nick into hosting an event where Charlie could return the book “safely.” After all, they were all friends now.

Screw it. She wasn’t going to produce anything poignant but distant with Nick calling her every two minutes. She’d been thinking about it for a week and had come up empty—nice work for a writer.

She put the book in her bag, just in case seeing Ava inspired her on the spot. Otherwise, she’d hang on to it for a while longer.

Before leaving her house, she texted Nick to let him know she was on the way. She planned to use the drive to calm her nerves. The writers’ room had been frantic with last-minute changes. Both Liz and Charlie had been forced to miss softball practice on Wednesday, something Charlie didn’t mourn too much because it meant she didn’t have to make awkward small talk with Josie.

But that was nothing compared to how
all
her thoughts connected back to Ava, and every last one seemed to have a glow about it. Charlie basked in the attention Ava bestowed on her. Not that they’d actually seen or called each other. No, they’d texted. And liked each other’s Instagram photos. Things like that. Ava had uploaded a video of herself at the gym, and, during a rare quiet moment at work, Charlie had stared at it like an idiot, repeating the ten-second video endlessly and wondering how someone so gorgeous and successful could also be so witty, down-to-earth, and fun to be around.

Her life would have been much simpler if Ava had turned out to be a jaded Hollywood character, or a spoiled woman surrounded by assistants. But she wasn’t. Via text, she mercilessly teased Charlie about her hang-ups on percentages, her reluctance to discuss
Crying Rivers
, and how her ass had looked in the bathing suit Ava had lent her—and had even snapped a picture of.

By the time she arrived at Nick and Jason’s house, Charlie didn’t have an ounce of calm left in her body—the drive hadn’t worked the way she’d wanted it to. And when Ava kissed her on the cheeks and threw an arm around her in a quick embrace, Charlie’s blood flooded with lust again.

“What a week,” she said, and plonked down on a chair in what used to be her happy place—Nick and Jason’s garden—but was now taken over by Ava’s presence.

Charlie had worked late in the writers’ room and was wearing her usual casual clothes. Ava, on the other hand, was all dressed up in high-waisted black pants with a black blouse tucked in, accentuating her model waistline. Charlie would need more than one glass of wine before she’d feel less frumpy and annoyed with her choice of clothes. Nick and Jason somehow always managed to look as though their outfits had just come back from the dry-cleaners.

“May I pour you a beverage, madam?” Nick asked. He seemed to be in a good mood.

“A large one, darling,” Charlie replied. Already, she couldn’t keep her eyes off Ava, who sat opposite her.

While Nick and Jason occupied themselves inside with fetching drinks and preparing dinner, Ava leaned over the table, and asked, “On a scale of zero to one hundred, how stressed are you?”

Charlie threw her head back and tried to massage her own shoulders. “A hundred and fifty,” she said.

“You’re the most melodramatic person I know, Charlie Cross.” Ava sighed exaggeratedly and rose from her chair. “But let me show you how good a friend I am regardless.” She moved behind Charlie and swatted her hands away.

Charlie only had on a flimsy T-shirt, and the contact of Ava’s fingertips with her body—though filtered through fabric—only made her more tense.

“Good grief. Have you considered a professional massage therapist?” Ava asked. She sounded genuinely concerned. “Your muscles are hard as a rock.” She dug her fingers into Charlie’s shoulders.

For the briefest moments, Charlie considered actually enjoying Ava’s touch, but her protective instinct took over. Ava massaging her could only lead to more anguish. When her fingers brushed the bare skin of her neck, pangs of electricity coursed through Charlie. She covered Ava’s hand with her own and patted. “I’m sure you can recommend someone.” Ava stopped working her fingers into Charlie’s flesh. “But for now, why don’t you sit back down, please?”

Their hands remained in place for a second longer, lingering, neither one of them displaying much desire to change the situation, until Charlie removed hers.

Ava gave her shoulders one last squeeze, and headed back to her chair. “Sorry. Did that make you uncomfortable?”

“Somewhat,” Charlie said, unable to look Ava in the eyes.

Luckily, Nick darted back out with a tray of finger food and a glass of wine for Charlie.

“That looks scrumptious,” Ava said.

“Help yourself, please.” Nick joined them at the table and sucked most of the sexual tension between Charlie and Ava out of the air. Although, when Ava licked her fingers after having devoured an asparagus-and-pancetta roll, the sight instantly connected with something deep in Charlie’s belly. She should go for a run tomorrow, or a hike. Either way, she needed to do
something
to alleviate the growing tension in her body.

After all four of them had gathered around the table for a simple but delicious plate of burratta dressed with tomatoes and the smoothest olive oil, Charlie made her announcement.

“I’m going to be auctioned off for charity.”

“Say what now?” Nick said.

Charlie explained about the singles’ auction the softball league had scheduled to take place in two weeks.

“If it wasn’t for a good cause, I’d find it quite crass,” Jason said.

“I do wonder how much you’ll go for,” Nick said. “And are you going to have any stipulations read out before they start, erm, offering you for sale? Like, anyone less than a hundred percent needn’t apply?”

“Leave her alone, Nickie,” Ava said quickly. “I think it’s very admirable.”

While Nick uttered an offended “Ooh,” Charlie looked at Ava. If she was going to start being chivalrous as well now, Charlie might have to refrain from spending time with her at all.

Ava shot her a wink, then continued to sop up olive oil off her plate with a hunk of bread. No low-carb diet for Ava either.

“Have you seen Jo?” Charlie suddenly heard herself ask Jason. She didn’t really know why she was inquiring about her ex’s whereabouts. Despite Jo coming to LA, Charlie hadn’t thought about her all that much lately. Perhaps she needed a change of subject.

Jason nodded. “She’s staying at The Standard on Sunset and will be there for a few more days. She took the job.”

“Oh.”

“Do you want to meet up with her?” Jason asked. “She has inquired…”

“Maybe. I’ll see.” Charlie put her fork down. “When is she relocating?”

“From what I hear, as soon as possible. The client wants to get started right away. But she has some things to sort out in New York first.”

“Of course.” Charlie nodded absentmindedly.

“You’re taking this very graciously, Charlotte,” Nick said. “You’ve grown as a person.”

“You were right, I guess. It has been ten months now.”

“And not to worry, Christian will stay in New York.”

“He’d better take good care of Stella and Fritzie.”

“The children, erm, I mean cats,” Nick explained to Ava.

Charlie slapped Nick playfully on the back of the head.

Nick ignored her and continued, “They’ll commute back and forth every other week or so.”

Charlie decided to postpone the long-awaited confrontation with her ex a little while longer. Odds were, Jo would spend a considerable amount of time with Nick and Jason. That meant she needed to make some sort of peace, because, arranged or not, they would see each other again soon.

The rest of the night’s conversation meandered through a variety of easy topics, and Charlie started to feel almost fully relaxed in Ava’s company as midnight approached.

They brought the used dessert dishes to the kitchen together, insisting that Nick and Jason stay put at the table.

After they’d deposited the crockery on the counter, Ava leaned against it and regarded Charlie. She looked so regal, and even taller than normal in those slacks.

“So?” she asked.

“So… what?”

“My signed copy of
Crying Rivers
?” Ava grinned.

“Oh, right. I’m sorry, I haven’t been able to come up with something suitable yet.”

“Should I take that as a compliment?” Ava cocked her head.

“Definitely.”

“Well, then I insist you hand deliver it to my house later this weekend.”

The words
Not safe! Not safe!
flashed in Charlie’s brain. “Okay,” she said, bypassing her gut instinct. “I’ll bring my own bathing suit this time, just in case.”

“Pity. I was hoping to put a slinky tiger print number on you.” Ava smiled and Charlie melted all over again.

“Not a chance.” Charlie wanted to stay in this almost tender moment of flirtation for the rest of the weekend, but Ava pushed herself away from the counter. Wordlessly, they headed back out.

After they said their goodbyes—which included a loose hug that lingered a few moments longer than politeness required—Charlie went home and tortured herself some more by watching
Knives Out
videos on YouTube.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

After Sunday’s softball game, Charlie skipped post-game drinks, and declined an invitation from Liz and Sarah to join them for dinner with a few friends at their house.

Fully aware of her one-track mind, Charlie drove to Malibu, determined to somehow hash out this ever-growing attraction to Ava, without actually acting on it.

When she rang Ava’s bell, though, it took several minutes—long enough for Charlie to worry—before Ava opened the door. When she finally did, Ava’s lips were drawn in a thin line and the whites of her eyes were dotted with tiny burst veins.

“Are you all right?” Charlie asked.

Ava just stood there and looked at Charlie. “Not according to some people.”

“Erm, can I come in?”

“Oh, yes, of course.” Ava moved to the side and closed the door behind Charlie. No hello kisses or embraces were exchanged.

“What’s wrong?”

“I had brunch with my so-called friend Eric and he gave me a piece of his mind.” Ava marched through the house. “Do you want a sherry?” With a snap of her wrist she opened the liquor cabinet in the living room.

Charlie figured she had enough time to sober up before heading back home, and it was always better to drink with a friend when distressed. “Sure.” Ava deposited the sherry glasses on the table with two resolute bangs.

“Why don’t I pour?” Charlie asked. “You sit down.”

“Gosh, I’m sorry, Charlie. Where are my manners?” Ava set the bottle on the table with noticeably less force. “I haven’t even properly said hello. Come here.” Ava opened her arms wide.

Charlie curved her arms around Ava’s waist.

“I’m so happy to see you,” Ava whispered in her ear.

This was not how mere friends greeted each other, but she still replied, “Me too.” When they broke from their hug, they stared at each other for a brief moment until Charlie broke the connection. “Right. Sherry.” She poured them both a small amount and they headed outside.

As soon as they sat, Ava knocked hers back.

“What happened?” Charlie asked, fiddling with the tiny sherry glass. Sherry wasn’t her favorite drink.

“I don’t know where to begin without sounding like a rambling woman.” Ava took a deep breath. “Earlier at Nosh, Eric, out of the blue, started flirting with me. I called him out on it and, in the process, also informed him that I’m interested in someone else. He is one of my best friends, after all. I should be able to tell him things like that.”

An unwelcome tingle sprouted in Charlie’s stomach. She pushed her glass of sherry in Ava’s direction.

“He asked who, of course, and I told him about my feelings for you.” Ava was so matter-of-fact about this, Charlie was glad she was sort of rambling because she wasn’t able to add to the conversation. Her brain needed to process first. Ava continued, “He nearly went ballistic. He was probably jealous, but still, that’s no excuse to talk to me that way.”

“What did he say?” Charlie hoped she was doing a good job of masking her emotions.

“That I must be going through menopause and stupid bullshit like that. Really nothing worth repeating. I… feel so betrayed by him. Like our friendship means nothing because he suddenly decided he still has feelings for me. After five years! I mean, I know what it’s like to be single and all that. I know it’s not pleasant sometimes, but come on… Have some self-respect.”