“What is life but one big competition?” Lexie shoots back.
Kayla laughs. “She’s got a point.”
I groan and drop my head into my hands. “This is insane.”
“Maybe,” Kayla says. “But it’s also kind of brilliant. Look, you need a date, and we can get you one. Problem solved.”
“Do you have any special requirements?” Lexie asks, pulling out her tablet and tapping the screen. “Height? Hair color? Personality type?”
“I don’t know!” I throw up my hands. “I’ve never hired an escort before.”
“Wait, tell me what website you’re on,” Kayla says, tapping on her screen. “I want to look too.”
Lexie rattles off the URL, and in less than a minute, they’re scrolling for escorts.
Kayla grins. “Ooh, Giuseppe is cute. He’s Italian, probably has a killer accent, and he likes to cook. We like guys who cook, right?”
“Kayla, it’s not a real date, and besides, my father will be doing all the cooking.”
“How about Sean?” Lexie wiggles her brows suggestively. “He’s a professional masseuse. Maybe you can get a happy ending.” She pauses, cocking her head thoughtfully. “Is that what it’s called when a woman gets it in on the massage table?”
“I am not paying someone for sexual favors!”
“Spoilsport,” Kayla chirps at the same time Lexie says, “Technically, we’re paying.”
I stare at them, my brain struggling to process what’s happening.
This is my life now. I’m bringing an escort to dinner at my father’s house so I don’t look pathetic in front of the man I’m in lo—
No. No, I am not in love with Knox. I can’t be. We were only…whatever we were…for a day. One freaking day. It’s not possible.
But even as I think it, I can feel the truth.
I’ve been a little in love with him since Cancún. Since the moment he made me laugh on that beach and showed me how good physical connection could be with the right person. With someone smart, funny, and patient. Someone who enjoys putting in the effort and gives as good as they get.
And now I’ve lost him. I’ll never know if what I feel for him could’ve grown into something real.
“Ava?” Kayla’s voice pulls me back to the present. “You still with us?”
“Yeah.” I sigh. “I’m here.”
“So?” Lexie prompts. “Are we doing this?”
I take a deep breath and nod. “Yeah. You can pick the guy and send me the details.”
“That’s my girl.” Lexie grins. “I’ll send you the link once it’s booked.”
“Thanks,” I say, my voice small.
“Hey.” Kayla’s normally enthusiastic tone is gentle. “It’s going to be okay. You’re going to show up to that dinner with a sexy man on your arm, and Knox is going to regret ever letting you go.”
I want to believe her—I do—but as we end the call, all I can think about is the look on Knox’s face when I told him it was over.
The hurt. The desperation. The way he was so certain fate brought us back together for a reason.
And still, I shut him down.
No matter how crappy I feel right now, I have no one to blame but myself. I’m the one who ended it. I’m the one who’s been avoiding him. I’m the one who’s too scared to fight for what I want because I’m terrified of losing everything.