Episode 522: Don't Ask Me Why

"Are you sick?" Sebastian asked, with so much concern in his voice. Even more in his eyes when Ava glanced at him. If she’d had any appetite left, it completely left then.

He loved her. It was so apparent the way he looked at her. The way he’d tried to change for her. The way he’d sacrificed the cushy, easy life his father had offered him.

Now she contemplated asking him for more? Was that any way to show him her love in return? "I’m fine."

"You’re not eating."

"I guess I’m just not hungry."

"Or talkative. You’ve been so quiet. What’s wrong? Not us." He spoke with conviction yet a hard swallow followed.

"Not us." At least there wouldn’t be anything wrong with them as long as they communicated, were honest with each other. "Bowie’s thinking about selling the bookstore."

"You’re worried about him?"

"No, I think it will be good for him, he’s not happy there. It’s you I’m worried about."

"Me? What do I have to do with Bowie selling the bookstore?"

She took a deep breath. "I’d like us to buy the store, Bas. You could work there with me if you wanted, run the coffee bar maybe since you’re a people person, or co-ordinate events that would tap into your party gene. Or you could just be a silent partner if you prefer, and pursue something else. Either way, I probably can’t swing a big enough loan if I don’t have someone in it with me, and you’re the someone I want. But I care about what you want."

"That would be you."

She smiled, though still not easily. "I get that it’s only been a few months since we finally moved out of the house I shared with Xavier. I know it’s not fair to ask you to be okay with me going back to a business I shared with him, too. So if you’re not okay with it, please be honest, say so and I won’t. I’ll find something else. I’d rather do anything else than hurt you."

Episode 523: Movin' Out