A Broken Fate (The Beautiful Fate Series book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

unload the gifts while I went to hunt down ribbons and wrapping paper. I was still new to the house and since I never packed or unpacked a single item, finding the ribbon drawer was a bit of a challenge. After ten minutes of diligent hunting, I broke down and phoned Aggie who directed me to a downstairs utility room. A room I did not know existed in my own home, or maybe I did but I just couldn’t remember. I found it off the den and was more than happy to see that the space was full of all the gift-wrapping essentials along with tools, cleaning supplies and all sorts of random, useful items. It was a do-it-yourselfers dream closet.
    I walked back up to the main living room with my paper, ribbons, scissors and tape in hand. Ari put a Beck album on the whole-house sound system and we got to work on the living room floor, wrapping everything up in shades of purple. When Beck’s version of “Pink Moon” came on, Ari grabbed my hand, bringing me to my feet, and the two of us danced together, barefoot in our living room. He sang along with the music while the thunder crashed outside. I felt unbelievably safe in his arms and pushed myself closer to his chest.
    “I never should have let you leave me that day.” Ari held me tighter in his arms. He kissed my hair. “I will never be able to forgive myself for what happened to you.”
     

Chapter 5
    Swimming Lesson
     
    The next morning, we went next door to Ari’s parent’s house, the sun was shining brightly and the air was nice and warm. Ari unloaded all of the gifts for Lauren’s birthday in a pile in Aggie’s kitchen. Lauren’s eyes grew wide when she saw the surfboard with a great big purple ribbon wrapped around it.
    “Oh, my gosh,” she squealed. “Please tell me that ’s mine!”
    “Happy birthday!” Ari laughed and Lauren ran across the kitchen and threw her arms around him.
    “Thank you so much; I love it! Can we please go out today? Please?”
    Ari scratched the back of his head, “Uhh, I don’t know, Lauren.” He looked over at me questioningly and I could tell he was torn about leaving my side. Sheer disappointment showed on Lauren’s face.
    “Don ’t be ridiculous, Ari; of course you’ll go,” I spoke up before he could make any excuses.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes, absolutely. I’ll be out in a little bit to sit on the beach and fulfill my role as a gaper.”
    He stared at me for a minute in thought, “are you sure?” he asked again.
    “She said yes, now let ’s go!” Lauren whined before I could respond.
    I smiled and Ari kissed me softly and left to get his board.
    Sitting down at the kitchen island, I watched Aggie make Lauren’s birthday cake. The house cleared out quickly as soon as the others found out that Ari and Lauren were going surfing. Even Andy joined in on their fun.
    “So, Ava,” Aggie started. “Were you able to find the ‘ribbon drawer?” She smiled a huge smile.
    “Yes. That closet ’s a bit over the top don’t you think?”
    “Only a bit. Didn ’t Ari show you around your own home?”
    I frowned. “Yes, Aggie he did. I just don ’t remember everything.”
    “Oh.” Aggie ’s face fell and her shoulders dropped. “Right, Ava, I am sorry, Baby.”
    “It is to tally fine, Aggie. No worries; it was just a silly room - I forgot it was there. No big deal.”
    She turned serious.
    “How is everything? How are you feeling?”
    “I feel okay,” I answered. I didn ’t want to go into detail or mention anything about the glasses of water, and I am sure she understood.
    “Are you sure? Ari told me about yesterday and some of the people snapping pictures of you.”
    “Yeah.” I tried to brush her off.
    “That will blow over; j ust lay low for a bit.”
    “Yeah, yeah. You are right. I will.”
    She could tell I didn’t feel like talking any further on the subject of my kidnapping or of the aftermath.
    “We haven ’t really talked since the wedding... how is married life?”
    Grinning, I fidgeted with my