Ava Comes Home Read Online Free PDF Page A

into the crowd of swaying bodies. Famous young men and women grooved to the music. Ava smiled at him and put her arms in the air as she moved her body, turning around so that her back was to him. He came up behind her and placed his hands on her hips, pulling her closer. They gyrated against each other, her arms slipping behind her head to caress the nape of his neck as his hands roamed her fabulous curves.
    Hayden soon forgot all about the Oscars.
    Ava slipped out of bed the morning of the big day with dark circles under her eyes. She showered and went downstairs to find that her housekeeper had arrived at the crack of dawn and had a full breakfast waiting for her in the sunroom.
    Pouring a large mug of coffee, Ava smiled at Mercedes. “I don’t think I’ll be able to eat all this. It looks delicious, though.”
    Mercedes hovered over the serving dishes filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, and ham. “You have to have something. You won’t be eating again until the Governor’s Ball tonight.”
    They heard the side door open and close. “It’s only me!”
    Lola skipped into the room. “I should’ve stayed here last night because I didn’t sleep a wink at home. Oh, Mercedes, you didn’t make your famous blueberry pancakes by some miracle of miracles?”
    Mercedes whipped off the cover of a chrome platter to expose a thick stack of them. “Do you think I’d forget you?”
    Lola gave her a big kiss. “I love you.” She sat at the table and helped herself to three of them. “Are you having any, Ava?”
    â€œNo. Harold would kill me. I have to fit in that dress tonight.” She reached for a small helping of eggs and took a half a piece of whole wheat toast. “This is as much as I dare eat.”
    â€œI’ll put a granola bar in your purse,” Lola said with her mouth full. “You can shovel it in when you go to the loo.”
    â€œDon’t forget a pack…”
    â€œâ€¦of Juicy Fruit gum. I know. I know.”
    The rest of the day was all about pampering. A Swedish masseuse arrived after breakfast to give the two friends a relaxing massage, followed by a visit to Ava’s favourite manicurist at a chic downtown spa. After their French manicure, pedicure, and facial, Harold and Maurice arrived and they got down to serious business.
    â€œWith that neckline we need to pull your hair back,” Maurice suggested. “That way we can see your pretty little neck and collarbones. Did you ever see such collarbones?” he asked Harold.
    Harold nodded vigorously and put his hands on Ava’s shoulders. “Why do you think I picked this dress?”
    â€œI picked the dress,” Ava laughed.
    â€œI seconded the motion.”
    Lola sat on a divan in Ava’s dressing room and watched the proceedings. “What are you going to do with my hair?” she asked Maurice.
    Maurice turned to look at her. “I can’t do a thing with that spiky mess except make it even spikier.”
    Lola clapped her hands. “Oh, goody.”
    When Ava finally got out of Maurice’s chair, her makeup was perfectly applied to her alabaster complexion and her hair was divine, a smooth chignon at the nape of her neck, perfect for photographs from any angle. Even Ava couldn’t stop looking at herself. “Wow. You outdid yourself, Maurice.”
    Maurice collapsed dramatically into an overstuffed love seat. “My job is done!”
    â€œHey, you haven’t done me yet!” Lola said.
    â€œOh, you’ll only take a minute.”
    â€œGee, thanks.”
    â€œYou’re lucky I’m doing anything at all, so zip it.”
    Harold had his head cocked to the side. “I think we need one more thing. He picked up a thin velvet headband and placed it behind Ava’s ears. It was the perfect finishing touch.
    Once they helped Ava into the magnificent dress, the last accessories were her shoes, a