Everything That Glitters Ain't Gold, Danielle Martin [best books to read all time .TXT] 📗

to interrupt while you were hanging with your girl.” He was quick to apologize, which made Ava roll her eyes. Desean was acting like his usual self. Pretending everything was perfect and nothing happened. This was typical of him. But this time, Ava wasn’t falling for it and apart of her had a guilty conscience for giving in so easily last night. Indeed, the sex was amazing. Liberating and powerful. Practically the most passionate sex they had in years. But inside her mind, it didn’t change a thing and once that orgasm subsided, her true feelings began to arise.

 “Listen, I want to take you to a really nice dinner.” Desean continued, interrupting her thoughts. “Can you clear some time on your schedule for your man tonight???” he asked her.

Ava went quiet. She didn’t answer immediately, nervously tapping her foot on the carpet feeling as if she were being put on the spot. She hated whenever he tried to make things up to her. At times like this, Ava wanted space to figure things out. Desean on the other hand never gave her that space. Again, she looked up at her best friend who was still crying to herself hysterically in the corner of the room. Ava smacked her lips. “Okay, Desean.” She sputtered out a half answer. “That’s fine. I will talk to you in a few hours when I get home, okay? Love you, bye.” She did not wait for a response. Quickly, Ava ended the phone call and shoved the phone back into her pocket. She felt bad for hanging up on him, but now was not the time to discuss anything in detail. Ava glanced over at Jade, hoping she had not overheard the conversation. Luckily, she had not. She was too busy huddled in a corner bawling her eyes out. Ava shook her head as she walked over to where Jade had slid to the floor. She sat hunched in the corner with her knees drawn to her chest as she cried. Ava silently bent down to where she sat.

“Jade…” she softly called out her name.

Jade looked up. Her face was an absolute wreck. Her tears had completely ruined her makeup. Her eyeliner and mascara was now a runny mess, staining her cheeks. “I don’t know what I’m going to do…” tears ran down her cheeks as she spoke. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without him, Hazel!” her shoulders bobbed up and down as she cried. She was miserable. Ava took a deep breath. As much as she hated Theodore, she couldn’t fault Jade for being hurt. She understood exactly how much pain a man can bestow upon a woman. Me of all people…. I should definitely know…

 Ava reached forward and lightly brushed her hair with her fingers. “Listen, I know how you feel…” she spoke truthfully although she knew her words gave little comfort.

Jade turned her head, immediately pulling away. “You don’t!” she shouted at her. Her tone was angry and full of resentment as she spoke. Jade looked at Ava with tears still rolling down her cheeks. “You have a good man Hazel! You have Desean! He treats you like a queen! What the hell do you know about heart break???” she asked an intense question, practically challenging her. Ava stared silently, immediately turning quiet. She felt taken aback as stared at her friend who was completely oblivious to what was really going on in her life. Sadly, Ava had no comeback to explain herself.  Little did Jade know, her relationship was far from perfect. But she was too embarrassed. Too ashamed to admit she had just as many problems as anyone else.

“Look…” Ava finally broke her silence to speak. “You are human. Human are fragile creatures that are made up on broken hearts and broken promises. But don’t lose yourself Jade. Don’t ever lose yourself trying to hold onto someone who doesn’t care about losing you… You’re worth so much more than that…”

Jade did not respond immediately. Surprisingly, her tears had stopped. She sat still, visibly marinating everything Ava just said. She wiped the tears from her eyes using the back of her hand. “You’re right…” Jade spoke silently through her sniffles.

“Good…” Ava nodded her head. She didn’t believe her but she didn’t pressure her any further. “Now, get up. Clean yourself up.” She held out her hand, assisting her in standing. Jade nodded her head, grabbed her by the wrist and used Ava’s weight to pull herself up from the floor. She stood to her feet while drying her face.

“You’re absolutely right…” Jade repeated herself more confidently than the first time. Ava smiled a warming smile, hoping her words of encouragement made her feel a little better. “You going to be alright?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

Jade sniffled one more time and offered a weak smile. “Now that I have let it out, I will be okay… I just have to figure out what I’m going to do from here… I’m so confused…”

Ava fell silent and stared at her for a moment. She took a deep breath than mustered up a half smile. You and me both Jade… You and me both….

 “Okay then. I have to get going.” Ava gathered herself preparing to leave. “What do you say we hang out tomorrow? Maybe you can come down the club and have a few drinks.”

Jade perked up, the sound of getting out the house immediately bringing her back to life. “Won’t you have to work the bar???” she asked eagerly.

Ava waved her off. “I can take a night off. It’s the least I could do.”

Jade smiled an extremely realistic smile. She nodded her head in excitement, which took Ava by surprise. “I could definitely use a night out on the town. Thank you, Hazel.”

Ava smiled at her. She wasn’t expecting Jade to agree that easily but she was happy she was willing to kick back for once. Ava extended both arms and reached out to her. Jade accepted, immediately jumping into her arms wrapping her up in a tight hug. “You’re such a great friend, Hazel. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Ava smiled while pulling apart. “I told you, anytime you need me I’m there.” She laughed. “You are newly single. The best way to get over your old man is to get up under something new.” Ava winked while grabbing her bags. Although she spoke confidently as if she had a plan, she did not. Hell, Ava didn’t even know what she was going to do with her own damn life. But she was damn good at faking it.

Jade laughed, “Okay girl, I can’t wait. I will see you tomorrow night!”

They both agreed on tomorrow night before hugging each other goodbye. Quickly, Ava gathered her things and skipped out to the door and headed home to deal with her own issues.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5.

Chapter 5.

 

“Hello Mrs. McCarthy. Welcome to the Italian Grove restaurant. My name is Donatello and I will be your server today. We are very glad to have you here dining with us this afternoon mam…”

Mrs. McCarthy??? What the hell? I’m not married and my last name damn sure isn’t McCarthy! Ava hiked up her dress as she walked up the stairs leading to the upscale Italian restaurant. She eyed the waiter who stood at the top of the steps with a huge smile on his face, waiting for her to reach the top. “You look magnificent ma’am.” He complimented her as she finally reached the last step. Slightly out of breath, she politely smiled at the young man. “Thank you.” She answered briefly. “My name is Ava… Ava Sweeney…” she put emphasis on her last name.

The waiter quickly apologized. “I’m sorry about that Ms. Ava. I have you down for a reservation but it looks like they listed your last name as McCarthy.”

Ava sucked her teeth. She wanted to roll her eyes but decided against being rude. “No worries. McCarthy is my boyfriend’s last name. Desean McCarthy. Has he arrived yet???”

The waiter smiled at her. “Yes he has… Come along, I will take you to him. Right this way mam.” He wasted no time instructing her to follow him. Ava nodded her head and began to proceed inside the doors of the upscale restaurant. She had never been to the Italian Grove and wandered what made Desean choose to have dinner here. Her eyes scanned the restaurant, which was fairly busy for a Thursday night. There were at least 50 tables scattered around the room, all of them filled. Ava looked around, checking out the place. She couldn’t front, she was impressed. The restaurant was romantically shaded with candles lit on each table. The windows were tall and rounded, displaying a gorgeous view of downtown Wilmington. Large beautiful chandeliers hung from the ceiling with beautiful decadent white and red roses posted on each wall. Overall, it was a nice restaurant but Ava was not fooled. This was a sympathy date. She knew better than to fall for his trap this time. Ava continued to follow the waiter who led her deep into the restaurant. She followed him with a raised eyebrow, wandering why the hell they were walking so far away from the crowd. Hesitantly, she followed him to a secluded area which was all the way in the back of the restaurant. 
“Right this way ma’am.” He motioned her to step through a side door. She nodded her head and stepped ahead of him, walking into the entrance while having no idea what she was about to walk into. Immediately Ava gasped, her jaw dropping in amazement upon stepping inside. “Oh my God…” she whispered breathtakingly.  Her heart sunk into her stomach as looked around in awe. The large, spacious room was secluded and closed off from the other side of the restaurant. Rose pedals sprinkled the floor.  Lightened candles were lined up, forming a walk way towards a single table that was positioned in the middle of the room. Ava could hear the sound of soft jazz music playing as she stepped further inside. “Wowwwww…” she spoke again dazzlingly while observing her surroundings in astonishment. The spacious area was private and romantically decorated with a gorgeous view, completely taking her breath away the moment she stepped through the door. Ava’s eyes landed on a manly figure standing across the room waiting for her by the table. The man stood with both hands crossed in front of him as he smiled at her from across the room. He wore a sharp, stunning black suit with matching black shoes and a black and red suit tie. His hairline and mustache had been neatly trimmed for the occasion.

“Damn…” Ava was speechless as she walked towards where he stood. Seeing him so handsomely dressed in his neatly pressed suit put butterflies in her stomach.  She admired his chocolate brown skin reflecting underneath the candle light as she approached. He smiled that beautiful, dangerously attractive. “Hello Ava…”

She shuddered. He’s so damn fine… Desean McCarthy is such a beautiful man… I understand exactly why I fell hard…. Lord knows, he makes it so hard to stay angry…

Desean smiled, eyeing her up and down in amazement. “Damn…” he repeated her, examining her dress as if he wanted to rip