Chapter 117

Ava

I sighed as I scanned the list of tasks the lead decorator had given me, my heart sinking a little more with each item. Picking up the floral centerpieces, setting up the photography backdrop, ensuring the refreshment tables were properly stocked—it was all just a harsh reminder of the reality I was desperately trying to avoid.

The ball was almost here. And Chris would find a new Luna.

Swallowing hard, I forced myself to focus on the first task: picking up the flower order from the village florist. A simple enough task, one that would at least get me out of the oppressive atmosphere of the Packhouse for a little while.

“Leonard,” I called out, spotting the Beta from across the courtyard, “would you mind accompanying me to the florist?”

Leonard nodded and strode over to me in a few quick strides of those long legs of his. “Of course, Ava,” he said. Truthfully, I just needed the company.

But as we made our way through the village, our light conversation and the warm spring breeze did little to lift my spirits. Leonard walked beside me with his hands in his pockets, his eyes occasionally darting over to me.

“Ava,” he said as he approached the florist’s shop, “do you want to… talk about it?”

I shot him a sidelong glance, my lips pressed into a thin line. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

He quirked an eyebrow at me. “You don’t need to lie to me, Ava.”

A sad smile tugged at the corners of my mouth at that. Good old Leonard; always able to see right through me. “You got me,” I admitted with a sigh. “It’s been a… rough week. That’s all I can really say.”

Leonard nodded solemnly, seeming to understand that it wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk about it—it was that I couldn’t without running the risk of crying right then and there. We lapsed back into silence as we entered the shop.

After placing our order and waiting for the florist to prepare the arrangements, we began making our way back to the Packhouse, my arms laden with vases overflowing with vibrant tiger lilies and local flora.

“Ava? Ava, darling, is that you?”

The familiar voice rang out across the square, cutting through the quiet afternoon. I practically dropped the vases as I whirled around, my heart leaping into my throat.

And there she was, hurrying down the cobblestone path toward me—Ophelia, her blonde curls peeking out from beneath a brightly patterned headscarf, her slender frame wearing a retro shorts and top set, her eyes covered by a giant pair of round sunglasses. Princess was tucked under her arm as usual, and she had a little briefcase in her free hand.

Leonard’s eyebrows shot up immediately. “Who the hell…?”

“Ophelia?” I breathed, hardly daring to believe my eyes. “What are you doing here?”

A radiant smile stretched across her face as she dropped her suitcase on the path nearby and stretched out her arm to me, her heels clicking on the cobblestones. “Darling, I wanted to surprise you!” she exclaimed, kissing me on each cheek since my arms were full. “Are you surprised?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside of me. “Yes, Ophelia,” I sighed. “I’m surprised; pleasantly, might I add. It’s so good to see you.”

“But what are you doing here?” I asked, furrowing my brow. “Did Chris invite you?”

Ophelia waved a dismissive hand. “Heavens, no; he told me that there was to be a ball, and I wanted to see you, so I simply decided to come. And besides, my manager has been absolutely driving me insane lately—always hounding me about some new film project or another. I need a vacation, darling.”

My smile faltered slightly at the mention of the ball, but I quickly schooled my features into a neutral expression. “Well, you’re welcome to come anytime. Although, I have to admit…” I adjusted the vases in my arms. “...I’m a bit busy today.”

Ophelia’s eyes sparkled. “All the more reason for me to be here, don’t you think? After all, what are friends for if not to help each other through the tough times?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Leonard beat me to it, his voice a touch higher than usual as he addressed Ophelia.

“Um, excuse me, Miss...?”

Ophelia turned toward him, her lips curving into a smile. “Please, call me Ophelia,” she said, extending one hand for him to kiss.

Leonard’s face flushed a deep shade of red at the proffered hand. Swallowing hard, he gently took it and kissed her knuckles, his lips lingering there. I could practically feel the awkwardness radiating off of him, an emotion that was so rarely seen on the Beta.

Straightening, he said, “Right, well, Ophelia... We should really be getting these flowers back to the Packhouse. If you’ll excuse us?”

“Of course, of course,” Ophelia said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Lead the way, darling.”

As we made our way back to the Packhouse, Ophelia’s arrival seemed to have lifted my spirits considerably. She chattered away animatedly, regaling us with tales of her latest misadventures, her infectious laughter filling the air around us.

For the first time in days, I found myself genuinely smiling and laughing along, the weight of my heartache momentarily forgotten.

With Ophelia’s help, we made quick work of the tasks on Samantha’s list. Before I knew it, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon and the list had been completed.

“Well, darling, I don’t know about you, but I’m absolutely famished,” Ophelia said, dusting off her hands as we finished arranging the last of the floral centerpieces. “Why don’t we retire to your cottage for a bite and a glass of that famous wine of yours?”

I hesitated for a moment, my gaze drifting toward the upper window of the Packhouse where Chris was no doubt holed up in his office, working late as always. A part of me wanted to march up there and ask him to join us.

But I knew better than to give in to such foolish impulses. Chris and I were over, and dwelling on what could have been would only lead to more heartache.

Squaring my shoulders, I turned back to Ophelia with a resolute nod. “Yes. Let’s do that.”

A little while later, as we settled onto my sofa with two glasses of red wine and a tray of fresh cheeses, meats, and bread laid out between us, Ophelia wasted no time in getting to the punch.

“So,” she said, eyeing me over the rim of her glass. “I’d be lying if I said I was here strictly to attend the ball. What’s going on with you and Chris?”

I stared down into my wine, watching the red liquid swirl around the glass. “It’s... complicated,” I murmured, taking a sip to steel my nerves.

Ophelia arched an eyebrow at me. “Isn’t it always, darling? But you know you can trust me. I’m here to listen, not to judge.”

I knew that there was no point in keeping the truth from my friend. I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could utter a word, a sharp knock at the door made us both jump.

“I wonder who that could be at this hour.”

With my heart pounding a bit from the shock, I set my wine glass on the coffee table and rose to my feet, making my way to the door. It was dark outside, and as I carefully peered through the window, I couldn’t make anyone out in the shadows.

Pulling open the door, I said, “How can I help yo—”

My words cut off abruptly; because there, standing on my doorstep, was none other than Chris.