Perfect Truth
Authors: Ava Harrison
Perfect Truth
Editor: Jennifer Roberts-Hall
Interior Design: Pink Ink Designs
Cover Design: By Hang Le
Art by DOC ART
Copyright © 2016 by Ava Harrison
All rights reserved
Perfect Truth
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, including photocopying, recording or by information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locations is entirely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products, brands, and/or restaurants referenced in the work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Dedicated to my girls in the Perfectly Flawed Support Group.
Thank you for taking this journey with me.
I WAS SHOCKED
by the praise my debut novel had received. The story that’s very near and dear to my heart had resonated with women all across the map.
It was a scary feeling when I hit publish. Fear and anxiety knotted in my stomach. Panic welled in my throat. I was well aware that by writing Imperfect Truth my family’s dirty laundry was being aired, but every time a woman reached out to thank me for being so strong and for showing them how important it was to love themselves, I knew I had done the right thing.
There was always a sinking feeling in my gut that I wasn’t the only woman who Ryder had misled, but once I’d hit publish it became apparent how far his reach had spanned.
Constant Facebook messages crowded my inbox with words of thanks and support. Of course, I also received messages of the darker persuasion. Accusations and even being accosted by male authors believing the book was based on them. Strangely enough, the only message I didn’t receive was from Ryder himself and the uneasy feeling in my stomach settled. It didn’t matter why he hadn’t contacted me. I was just relieved.
My marriage was in a good place. Alexandre and I were once again happy and in love. In the months that followed, we rediscovered why we had originally fallen for each other and it was wonderful.
Living in our bubble was simple, but stepping out of the comforts we’d cocooned ourselves in was so much harder.
HOLY SHIT, HOLY
shit, holy shit.
I stare at my phone then back in the mirror.
No way.
It can’t be, can it? My brain counts backward. Four weeks. Nah, no chance. I was alone four weeks ago.
See, overreacting as usual.
Wait…
What was I doing two weeks ago?
A memory creeps into my brain. Oh, I totally remember what I was doing. My cheeks flush at the vision now playing out in my head. That was one hell of a night…and morning…and following afternoon. I vaguely remember champagne, whip cream and… holy shit,
handcuffs?
A loud, boisterous laugh escapes my mouth. Yep, one hell of a night.
Could it be? Could I be?
My heartbeat starts to accelerate, as the reality of the situation hits me head on. Oh my God. I totally am. It’s only been three months since things have been good. Are we ready for this? Is he ready? Shit…
Am I ready?
`My arm accidentally runs against my chest.
Goddamn that hurts.
Yep, better get ready.
MY FEET TAKE
brisk steps as I make my way to Jules apartment. I don’t think I have ever walked so fast in my life, my impending fate exciting me to the core.
A light sweat breaks out across my forehead the closer I get to my destination, the crisp fall air doing nothing to calm the excitement radiating from my body. As I approach the building, I nod my head in a familiar gesture to the doorman and then head over to the elevator. Once inside I press the floor and wait for the doors to close. My foot nervously taps until the elevator arrives on Jules floor. Heading down the hall to her apartment, I knock once before Jules yells for me to come inside.
I’m greeted by a foul smell permeating through the air when I walk inside her apartment and my stomach turns over.
Why is she cooking again?
I’ve noticed a trend over the last few months. The happier I become, the more distant Jules appears, her eyes looking more and more hollow as the days pass. She often seems tired, worn out
.
Now, the tell-tale signs that something is amiss hangs in the air, a baking monstrosity gone wrong. Jules only bakes when she needs to think and, unfortunately, she has been baking
a lot
.
“Jules, where are you?”
“Ava? What are you doing here?” Her voice is far off, echoing through the hallway that leads to her bedroom.
“I’m late,” I breathe out, my heart still hammering in my chest from hauling ass to get here.
“Late for what?” She turns the corner and her gaze drops to the plastic CVS pharmacy bag I’m holding.
“Late, late.”
“Oh my God, are you serious?” Her mouth hangs open and she’s so still it’s as if she’s frozen in place.
“Jules, I’m freaking out. Do you think it’s too soon? Oh my God, what will I do if I’m pregnant? Alexandre just moved back in two months ago. Do you think we’re rushing this?”
“Okay, Ava, calm down. Take the test and then we can discuss the rest. This could all be a moot point.”
I walk past her and into her bathroom. She follows directly behind me. “Ahem, do you mind?”
“What?”
“Can I please have some privacy?”
She rolls her eyes. “Are you serious? I have seen so much worse then you popping a squat.”
“You are such a loser. Now leave.”
Jules shuts the door behind her, giving me some much-needed privacy. I pull out the box and briefly read the instructions, preparing to take the test that could change my life forever.
One minute later, Jules and I are ogling the little white stick waiting for something anything to happen.
Nothing yet.
“How long do we have to wait?” she asks as her crossed knee shakes.
“A few more minutes. I feel kind of silly sitting here just watching it. Tell me something. What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing.” She shrugs, but I can tell she’s hiding something. The fine line that forms when she is upset is present between her brows.
My eyes squint. “Come on, spill.”
Jules coughs, clearing her throat. “It’s Gabe. I don’t know, things are weird. He… Well, he kind of tried to kiss me.”
“What? Are you serious? Oh my God! What happened?”
“What do you think happened? I pushed him off! I can NOT go there right now.”
“Why the hell not? You’ve been in love with him for as long as I’ve known you!”
“It doesn’t matter. I can’t be with Gabe.” She crosses her arms defensively.
“And why the hell not?”
“It’s just not the right time, okay?” Her jaw tightens as a fine line starts to form next to her mouth.
“What does that mean?”
Her eyes lock onto mine under furrowed brows. “It’s exactly like I told him, I’m trying to make partner. I can’t be dating someone right now, let alone be in a relationship. Plus, he’s my best friend.”
