Tangled

101 Ava: Calling Clayton

A plate of mixed greens, topped with an obscene amount of sliced chicken and shredded cheese, is slid

in front of me as I wait for Clayton to answer the phone,

There’s a lot of sound in the background, and I can hear Vester shouting that I’m on the line.

Stabbing a bite of salad, I crunch at it, the sound grating against my eardrums as I wait.

“Ava?” Clayton’s voice, usually so strong and assured, wavers with a vulnerability that catches me off guard. The sound tugs at my heart, a pang of guilt piercing through the layers of confusion that has settled

between us.

I should have asked Lucas to let me talk to him a long time ago. He’s probably been worried. He’s too responsible and caring to have just let things go without wondering how I’m doing.

I’m a terrible person.

I never really thought about him in this time.

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101 Ava Calling Clayton

“Hey,” I manage, my throat tightening around the word. “How… how have you been?”

Lisa’s eyebrows shoot up at the sound of my words, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that suggests she’s hanging on every word. I ignore her, focusing instead on the static–laden silence stretching across the connection.

“How are you feeling?” Clayton asks, dodging my question with one of his own. “Are you healing alright?”

There’s a lump in my throat at the sound of his

concern. Damn. I swallow hard. “I’m fine,” I assure him, though the words feel hollow even to my own ears. “I actually called because… well, I was worried about Ivy. I wanted to know how she’s doing. And I wanted to talk to you.”

He’s silent for a long time. “Ivy’s doing well. She’s healing, but slowly. She doesn’t heal much faster than

humans.”

I know that pain.

my daily soreness from exercise

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

it means or why my body’s acting

talk to me?”

her eyes sparkling. She loves a good romantic drama, and my current love

since everything happened. I figured you would

worried. I want to know how you’re doing.

healing.”

not alone. I’m sure you know everything that happened by now, so I won’t rehash it. I’m glad I’m not

he answered

miss you, Ava.”

is so startling that I

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

miss you, too.” How else am I supposed to answer? I don’t miss him? I don’t think

much?

feel awful about myself.

not a

Clayton.

hope in his voice breaks

him. He’s a nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He took care of me, even though

stranger.

my own safety, but it

other things, like the sound of his voice in my ear, the way his gentlemanly demeanor changes when

my cheeks, and I shake my head at Lisa as her eyes widen. She can’t hear him on

you haven’t chosen

odd

15:10

tell von about him. Us It seems like the Aund of thing I should apologize for. He knows about it

now, though

are like a caress, and

something that’s soothed him in some way. T’ll never hold that against you.”

Thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of

almost hear his happiness at my response, and that niggling feeling inside of me grows. I’m not sure

what it is.

to check on Ivy. I guess I’ll let you

your number, so I can

YES, YES! at me. “It’s

call

him again today, but how can I say no when