My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: The get-together party

Ava and Nicholas arrived at the club, where the party was going on. As soon as they entered the hall, a wave of pounding music engulfed them, seeming to vibrate through their entire bodies. The neon lights flashed in vibrant bursts, making Ava squint, her eyes needing a moment to adjust.

Ava felt a bit overwhelmed, as this was the first time she had attended a party like this in a long time. She instinctively clutched Nicholas’s arm as she scanned the room for familiar faces amidst the swirling lights and dancing shadows.

Nicholas stiffened slightly as he gazed at her and noticed the subtle tension in her. Gently, he placed his hand over hers to comfort her.

Leaning closer so she could hear him over the music, he murmured, “Don’t be nervous. I’m right here with you.”

It was only at this point she realized how tightly she was holding onto him. She quickly let go, a hint of embarrassment brushing her cheeks.

“Ava!” Lola squealed, rushing over and wrapping her arms around her in an enthusiastic hug. “Finally! You’re here! I’ve been waiting forever! Everyone has been asking about you, eager to catch up.” She pulled back and kept her hands on Ava’s shoulders, nearly bouncing with excitement.

In the meantime, Lola’s eyes landed on the tall guy beside Ava. Her mouth dropped open as she sized up the striking figure of Nicholas Baker. She was perplexed as to why Ava had come with this man.

“Isn’t that… Nicholas Baker?” she whispered in disbelief, with a mix of surprise and disbelief. “Is he with you?”

“Yes,” Ava replied, reaching out to hold Nicholas’s hand. “He is with me.”

“Wow!” Lola’s eyes widened, and her astonishment transformed into a bright grin as she extended a hand toward Nicholas. “Well, Nicholas! It’s been so long. Not sure if you even remember me.”

Nicholas chuckled as he shook her hand, embarrassed. He actually had no recollection of her.

“You were such a big topic at school, you know,” Lola blurted out.

Nicholas’s smile turned into a sneer. “Because of my background.” His tone hinted at a flicker of resentment.

Lola blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness. For a moment, her words faltered.

Ava chimed in, giving her friend a reassuring nod, “Actually, it was your grades. You were one of the top scorers in school.”

“Yes.” Lola finally found her voice. “You are handsome, and all the girls had a crush on you.”

“Really?” Nicholas raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise, a hint of humor playing on his lips. “I had no idea I was so popular.”

“Probably because you never paid anyone any attention.” Lola tried to lighten the mood, but her smile was strained, her heart thumping with nervousness.

Nicholas cast a playful look at Ava with mischief in his eyes. “Did you also admire me back then?”

Ava opened her mouth, caught off guard, but couldn’t manage a response. Could she really admit that she’d intentionally distanced herself from him because of his connections to the Baker family?

Nicholas could see the hesitation in her eyes. He chuckled softly, though his chest felt heavier. Ava had always loved Dylan, after all; why would she ever have looked his way?

“Relax, I was only kidding.” He kept his tone light, hiding the subtle pang of disappointment under a grin. “Go on, enjoy your time with your friends. I’ll catch up with some old friends.” With that, he walked away, his figure soon disappearing into the lively crowd.

Lola’s eyes followed him, her mouth still slightly agape. “Wow, he is… really something.” She turned back to Ava, her face lighting up with excitement. “Are you planning to date him? If yes, go for it without giving a second thought, Ava. He looks sensible, calm, and understanding, unlike that jerk…moody Dylan.”

Ava laughed softly. “Okay, hold on. I’m not thinking about anything like that.”

“Why not?” Lola pressed on. “Don’t you like him?”

“Of course, I do, but only as a friend. He is a great guy—generous, caring, and dependable. I am grateful to him. But a relationship is something I am not looking for right now. Besides, Nicholas deserves someone better -someone who can love him wholeheartedly…not a divorcee like me.” Ava’s smile faltered. “I’m not sure my heart could ever open up again.”

Her heart was crushed and torn apart mercilessly. Love would never blossom in it.

Ava pulled a smile back on her face, pushing the distress away. “Anyway, I’m here to enjoy myself. Come on, let’s get some drinks!”

Eager to lift the mood, Lola grinned and looped her arm through Ava’s. “Yes! Come with me.” She guided Ava toward a lively corner of the room, where their friends were gathered, laughing and raising their glasses.

Everyone cheered as they saw Ava. “Oh, Ava… you look stunning tonight!” one of them exclaimed.

Ava beamed as she thanked her and sat on the sofa, taking a glass of wine from the passing waiter. Just as she took a sip, a question came up, halting her mid-drink.

“Did you really divorce Dylan?”

Ava felt a flicker of tension but managed a nod. “Yes, we filed for divorce.”

A wave of surprise rippled through the group, and they exchanged uneasy glances. “We all thought you loved him,” another friend pressed. “What went wrong?”

“A few days ago, Dylan clarified the rumors about you in a press conference,” another one chimed in. “We were so impressed with him for supporting you, but this news was shocking. What happened all of a sudden?”

Ava’s face clouded, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. Sensing the shift in her mood, Lola jumped in, “Alright, enough about that! We’re here to have a good time, not to pry into Ava’s private life. Let’s toast to our reunion and make it unforgettable!”

With that, the group cheered again, refocusing their energy on the celebration. But Ava’s uneasiness lingered.

“Excuse me! I need to use the restroom.” Ava stood up and walked away, wanting to escape the group. Instead of going to the restroom, she went to the balcony, feeling the crisp evening air brush against her face.

Ava took a slow, deep breath and held her wine glass close. The city lights sparkled beyond, blending into the calm of the night, but her nerves tense. She had thought of enjoying the evening, but the mess in her personal life seemed to follow her everywhere. She was distressed.

“Come on, Ava,” Ava comforted herself. “You’ve got this. Just stay calm.”

“Why are you alone?”

A voice from behind drew her attention. She turned around and saw Nicholas approaching. She forced a smile. “I just wanted to have some fresh air,” she said, casually sipping her wine. “Why are you here? Already bored with your friends?”

He chuckled. “I saw you alone, so I came to check on you.”

Ava felt a small wave of gratitude wash over her. “Thank you.”

They stood together, sharing a quiet, easy conversation. The tension of earlier seemed to fade as they talked, her nerves easing.

Inside the hall, Dylan was solemn as he gulped down the wine. He had no idea what was going on around him. The chatter around him blurred into a distant hum, lost in his own thoughts.

“Dylan!” James tapped his shoulder, breaking through his daze. “Look over there. Isn’t that Ava?”

Dylan followed his gaze, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a familiar woman on the balcony.

“Is that Nicholas with her?” James asked, his voice rising slightly.

Dylan’s jaw clenched, and his eyes grew colder, a storm brewing beneath the surface.