Chapter 47 His Ex
~Ava’s POV~
Charlotte's words still echoed in my head.
“So was it makeup sex?!”
I blinked at her like she’d grown two heads. “What is wrong with you?!”
She just laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder like she'd asked whether the weather was nice. “Don’t act like you’re shocked. You know me.”
“You’re a menace.”
“I’m a best friend,” she corrected with a smug little smirk. “And best friends ask.”
I sighed, sinking back into the lounge chair, my skin warm from the sun and my nerves still buzzing from... well, everything. “It wasn’t makeup sex, okay?”
Charlotte gave me a suspicious side-eye. “But you said you had an argument last night.”
I chewed on my lip, my voice quieter now. “We did. But that’s not why it happened. It wasn’t about fixing something or distracting ourselves. It was... real.”
Charlotte’s teasing expression softened instantly. “Okay, that I can respect.”
I glanced out at the pool where Logan was being tackled into the water by Tristan for the fifth time in a row. He was laughing so freely, water glistening on his skin, like the world outside didn’t exist.
“I think I’m falling for him,” I said before I could stop myself.
Charlotte’s head snapped toward me. “You think?”
I groaned and pulled a towel over my face. “Ugh, don’t make me say it again.”
“Ava.” Her voice was gentle now, the teasing gone. “That’s not a bad thing.”
“It is when you’re terrified of it,” I mumbled from under the towel.
She tugged it off. “Then be terrified. Love’s supposed to be a little scary. But if it feels that real to you? Then it’s worth the risk.”
I watched Logan push his wet hair back, grin stretched wide, as he looked toward me like he felt my eyes on him.
That grin could ruin me. And maybe it already had.
“I’m scared I’ll mess it up,” I whispered.
Charlotte leaned over and took my hand. “You won’t. You’re not the same girl who ran away from things, Ava. You’re the girl who stood her ground. Who let herself feel again. That’s brave as hell.”
I blinked back the sudden burn in my eyes. Damn Charlotte and her rare moments of wisdom.
“Thanks, Char.”
She smiled, then tilted her head. “And I’m not saying this just because I want you two to hook up again and shake the walls.”
“CHARLOTTE!”
She burst out laughing as I tackled her with a pillow.
Just then, Logan returned, dripping pool water everywhere like a golden retriever, and flopped down beside me.
“You look like you were planning a murder,” he said.
“She was,” Charlotte muttered. “Mine.”
Logan raised a brow. “Do I want to know?”
“Nope,” I said, already pulling him into a kiss before he could question anything further.
He smiled against my lips. “I like it when you’re mysterious.”
“And I like it when you shut up,” I teased.
“Wow. Love language unlocked.”
We laid there in a warm, tangled silence for a while sun, laughter, waves. No complications. Just him and me and this stolen slice of peace.
And in that moment, I let myself believe in it. In us.
Even if tomorrow brought storms. I didn't care. Today, I was his.
And that was enough.
\~~~~
Later that afternoon, after a long swim, a shared ice cream cone, and an intense round of couples beach volleyball that ended with Logan and Tristan dramatically flopping into the sand like dying seals we returned to the suite.
Logan had gone to shower while I lingered by the balcony, letting the sea breeze cool my skin. Everything felt too perfect. Which, of course, meant something was about to go wrong.
There was a knock on the door. Sharp. Precise.
Expecting room service, I opened it without thinking only to freeze.
A girl stood there. Tall. Pretty. That effortless kind of pretty that made your stomach twist a little. Wavy dark hair, bold lipstick, designer sunglasses pushed up into her hair.
She looked me up and down slowly, then smiled like we were old frenemies in a movie. “You must be Ava.”
“…Yeah?”
She held out her hand like we were in a business meeting. “I’m Serena.”
I didn’t take her hand. Something in me already bristled. “Okay?”
“I’m Logan’s ex.”
My mouth dried. My heart stuttered. “I’m sorry...what?”
She gave a fake little laugh. “Oh, don’t worry, I’m not here to start drama. I just saw him post a story from this resort. Thought I’d stop by and say hi.” Her eyes sparkled like she knew exactly what kind of chaos she was stirring. “We always used to come here. Our spot.”
I opened my mouth...then closed it. Then opened it again. “Does Logan know you’re here?”
She smiled sweetly. “Not yet. But he will.”
Before I could respond, the sound of the shower cut off, and seconds later, Logan walked out of the bedroom in nothing but a towel.
He froze when he saw her.
“Serena?”
Busted.
I stepped aside slightly, arms crossed. “Care to explain?”
Logan blinked. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Serena shrugged, leaning against the doorframe like she belonged here. “Just wanted to see if you still remembered me.”
“Oh, he does,” I said, voice sharper than I intended. “But I can help jog your memory. We’re kinda in the middle of something called moving on.”
Serena laughed. “Relax. I’m just here for the weekend.”
Logan looked from her to me, guilt flickering in his expression.
“I didn’t know she’d be here,” he said quickly.
“You sure?” I snapped. “Because I’ve seen this scene in way too many bad movies.”
Logan stepped toward me, towel still dangerously low on his hips. “Ava, I swear, this means nothing. She’s nothing to me.”
Serena clicked her tongue. “Wow."
“You came here to stir shit,” he said flatly. “Don’t.”
But the damage was done. My stomach was already in knots, my heart thudding.
I needed air.
“I’m going for a walk,” I muttered, grabbing my sandals before either of them could say anything else.
Logan called after me, but I didn’t stop. I just kept walking, my heart pounding, a thousand questions swirling in my head.
Who was she to him?
And more importantly… why did a part of me feel like maybe she still was something?
I've learned to trust Logan but not myself.
And that's the problem!