Page 86 of The Girl He Loves
“Exactly. That’s what I told her. I was so pissed off, Mischa. I told her that I’d tell Joel myself if she didn’t.”
My eyes grow wide and I think about poor Joel — he’s a victim in all this. He doesn’t deserve it. “You didn’t say that.”
“I did. I have a right to be part of my daughter’s life. I’ve already been robbed of the first eighteen years.”
“True.”
“Anyway she finally relented. She says that Ava is eighteen now. She’s an adult and she can make her own decisions. It’s up to Ava now… whether she wants me to be part of her life or not. Renee promised me that she would speak to both of them… tonight. She’s also going to set up a paternity test just to make sure. Her husband is in for a big surprise.”
My heart sinks for Joel.
“We’re having lunch again tomorrow,” he tells me. “I think you should come.”
“Oh… I don’t know about that… she hates me.”
He smiles. “You’ll be part of her daughter’s life. She’ll just have to get used to you.”
I bite my lip, already stressed out over the whole situation. The last thing I want to do is have lunch with the goddess.
Looks like another nerve wracking twenty-four hours ahead.
* * *
My nerves are actingup more than usual, which is to say I’m kind of losing my mind. I keep staring down at my skirt and pressing it smooth. I repeat my rituals over and over again, hoping no one notices. Brian and I and Renee have met at a pizzeria near Brian’s school. We’re all picking at our slices, none of us are hungry. Renee tells us she’s spoken to Ava and that she’s open to getting to know her biological father.
“But first… “ she says. “We need to do a paternity test. I haven’t spoken to Joel yet. He knows nothing, and there’s no need for him to know anything until we know for sure.”
“C’mon, Renee,” Brian scoffs. “She looks exactly like me.”
“True… but I just want to make sure.”
“How long will this take?”
“Just a few days. I need a buccal swab from you.”
“How do I know I can trust you? I want to see those results with my own eyes.”
Renee rolls her eyes. “You will.”
We don’t linger long. Unfortunately, there’s not much love lost between Renee and Brian.
“I’ll contact you,” Renee tells him as she steps out of the pizzeria, her heels loud, her presence bigger than ever.
* * *
About a week later,I’m in the bath when Brian tells me the news. Ava’s his. It’s no surprise of course. Apparently we’re all going to lunch the following Thursday. Brian and Ava are finally going to meet.
39
Claudia has something special for us planned today. It’s tea with the girls as usual, but with a twist. High tea. And when I say high tea, I mean it literally. It’s a trend she’s read about inOprahmagazine. Women across the country are having high tea parties — they wear pretty vintage dresses, eat little sandwiches and macarons, and drink cannabis infused tea.
I’ve never touched drugs, but Claudia assures me that the dose is very mild. It’s just going to give you a buzz,” she says. “You drink, don’t you? It’s not any different than alcohol.”
I’ve worn the pretty pink polka-dot dress I bought when I was shopping with Joel. I’m so excited to finally have the opportunity to wear it. I’ve paired it with polka-dot and flower peep-toe platform pumps. I’ve curled my hair and pinned it, retro-style. For the final touch, I’ve dabbed on some bright red lipstick.
I’m giddy as I scurry to the elevator. I don’t take the stairs on account of the heels I can barely walk in. I run into the rich hottie from upstairs. He never says much. I don’t even know his name. But I’m feeling super friendly. “How are you?” I ask.
He smiles. “Great. And you?”
