The Queen's Back

Chapter 150

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Ava had no idea who sent that photo. Maybe it was just someone trying to push her away from Bud.

Seeing her friend like this, Mona pulled Ava in for a hug. "Ava, if you need to cry, then go ahead. Let it out. Once you're done, we can forget all about Bud. Seriously, you're incredible-you've got a good family, you're beautiful, and there's a great guy out there waiting for you."

This life wasn't what Mona had pictured. After coming back to life, she had saved Ava from dying on the operating table, but it had brought its own heartaches.

Still, being alive was a win. The pain would fade, and eventually, someone would come along to bring light back into her heart.

"But will there really be someone who makes me feel the way Bud does?" Ava asked quietly, doubt heavy in her voice.

She had spent years of her life waiting, and Bud was the only guy who ever made her heart race and her cheeks flush.

"Absolutely! There will be," Mona said firmly.

16

Meanwhile, in a hotel room, Bud groaned as he woke up with a pounding headache. He looked around in confusion, thinking, 'Where the heck am I? What happened?'

and immediately pulled back, glancing at

blurted out, panic

a few too many drinks. Everything got blurry after that, and now he was

on the bed, covering himself as fast as he could. But when he did, he realized the woman beside him was in

his clothes from the floor and throwing them on. As he got dressed, he noticed the the

the sheets and then back to the woman. Panic

woman finally stopped crying and looked

gone

last night?" Bud asked, trying to sound calm as he tossed the rest of

you want to take responsibility?" she replied, her voice a bit shaky. Those big, almond-shaped eyes of hers were locked on him,

you want me to take responsibility, I'm not the type to

flown solo, but if he really did sleep with her, he wasn't about to bail on her. Still, the details were

to take responsibility. This was my first time," she said, her voice barely above

a

Thu, Oct 31

them naked, something definitely happened.

Ray. I work at Carter Group. What about you? What's your name? And

just graduated and teach at the elementary

to me all tipsy, asking for the exit. I figured you needed a hand, so I helped you out. I asked where you lived, but you didn't tell

the street, you know? So I took you to the hotel, but once we got to the room, you got, well, a little wild. I couldn't really handle it. So, um, the two of us-" By the end of her story, Chelly was crying, burying her face under the blanket. Bud listened, trying to piece together what had happened. He vaguely remembered Chelly supporting