Everyone laughed as my mom and Courtney started bringing the food into the dining room. “Let me help, please,” Taylor said.
Whitley drew her attention over to Jase. “No! You’re a guest, Walker and Jase can help, you visit with Liza and Ava and get to know them.”
Liza walked up to Taylor and hugged her. “I know we keep saying it, but it is really wonderful that things worked out the way they have. I haven’t seen Jase this happy in a very long time.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jase this happy,” Ava said with a giggle.
Taylor’s face blushed even more.
Once we got all the food in the dining room, I led Taylor in and pulled a chair out for her. Ava quickly sat down next to Taylor. Peeking up at me she said, “I’m going to need a neutral supporter.”
“Oh no,” Taylor said under her breath.
Narrowing my eye at Ava, I asked, “What are you planning on doing?”
She leaned in closer as I sat down and answered, “Ryder asked me to marry him.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Taylor asked.
Ava screwed her face up. “It will be for my parents. But it most certainly isn’t for me.”
“Your dad is going to freak, Ava!” I whispered.
She sighed. “You don’t think I know that?”
“When are you going to tell them?” Taylor asked.
Ava glanced around at everyone. “Probably when my dad has had a few drinks. I thought about drugging him, but I figured he might not like that.”
Taylor’s face dropped as I took her hand in mine. “She’s kidding. I think.”
“Half-heartedly,” Ava mumbled.
“So, Ava, how was Montana? Are you glad to be home?” my mother asked.
Walker and Liza must have known as well because they froze just like Taylor and I did.
Ava giggled nervously. “Well, I’m not actually home to stay.”
Reed and Courtney both said together, “What?”
“This just got interesting,” my father said as Taylor tried to hide her smile.
Ava turned to Taylor. “So, Taylor, when was the first time you and Jase met?”
“Oh God,” I said as I picked up my beer and took a gulp.
Taylor kicked me under the table as she stumbled over her words. “Um . . . well we ah . . . freshman year I guess? Right, Jase?”
“I’d rather hear about Ava not staying in Texas,” I said with a smirk.
“Oh dear,” Taylor spoke under her breath.
Ava glared at me as I winked. “It’s like you’re pushing me all over again,” she hissed through her teeth.
Leaning forward, I said in a flat voice, “I. Didn’t. Push. You.”
Taylor looked between the two of us with a confused expression. “Wait. Why did you push, Ava?”
Snapping my eyes, to Taylor I shook my head. “I didn’t push her! She slipped and fell. That’s how she broke her ankle and leg.”
Taylor turned to Ava. “How much longer do you have to wear the cast?”
Ava’s face dropped as she pouted. “The doctors say—”
“Stop! Everyone stop talking for two minutes!”
All eyes fell on Reed. Ava’s little plan of trying to pull me into a fight with her was never going to work.
“Ava Grace Reed. What do you mean you’re not staying here?”
Ava sat up straighter and looked at Taylor. “So . . . tell us about Paris!”
Taylor
I sat there stunned as Ava looked at me with pleading eyes.
“Ah . . . Paris is amazing?”
“The city of love! Did you and Jase first have se—”
“Ava!” Reed and Courtney both shouted.
Turning back to me, she smiled. “If they try to come after me, I’m counting on you to block them so I get a head start.”
My mouth fell open, but nothing came out.
Dropping her shoulders, she put her fork down. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with. Ryder asked me to marry him and I really think I want to make Montana my permanent home.”
Jase took my hand under the table and squeezed it. “I’m so sorry I brought you here. Now you’re going to be a witness to murder and this puts a real damper on my plans for tonight.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Covering my mouth, I dropped my eyes to my plate and bit on the side of my cheek. It was so refreshing to see Jase’s family was normal like mine. Crazy normal.
Courtney held up her hands to hush Jase. “Wait. Did I just hear you say Ryder asked you to marry him? Ava! Didn’t you learn anything from the last time with Johnny?”
“Who’s Johnny?”
Jase replied, “I’ll tell you later.”
“Mom, don’t bring him up. What I feel for Ryder is so much more.”
Whitley cleared her throat and announced, “I think maybe we should save this conversation for another time, don’t y’all agree?”
Ava and Courtney both nodded. Reed stared at Ava. “I agree. Nice try though, Ava.”
“Can’t blame a girl for trying,” Ava said with an innocent grin.
The rest of dinner was spent with conversations around the table. Ava and I talked mostly about Paris. I could see the passion in her eyes as she talked about her love of designing wedding gowns.