The frustration in my friend’s voice is palpable. I don’t understand why this bothers her, though. So I like to watch a show about airplane crashes? Who is that hurting?
“Why does there have to be a point to it? I like looking at him, so I watch the show. It's not a big deal. And I certainly don’t need to know his name.”
“I think it might be a big deal. It's sort of weird.”
“It's not weird. You just think it is because you have your dream man, and he's always right next to you, and he's crazy about you, and he does everything you want, and he thinks you're the best person he's ever met. Well, I don't have that in my life. Let me have fantasizing about the guy from Air Disasters, okay?”
I don’t usually resort to the you-have-everything-so-just-let-me-be defense for anything Ava thinks is strange, but I’ll use it for this occasion. It’s not a lie. She does have the perfect life with Matthias and those two little boys.
Ava falls silent for a few moments before she quietly says, “I know. I… I… I didn't mean to say that it was weird. I'm sorry. I want you to have everything I have. I want you to have the manof your dreams. I want it all for you. Is it possible this guy is the man of your dreams?”
I throw my head back and laugh as I catch a glimpse of him on my TV. “I don't think so, Ava. He's more fantasy material.”
“Okay, well, I'm sure he's hot, right?”
For a few moments, I study the man on the screen. “In an official, civil servant wearing a government uniform way, I guess. I'm not sure. All I know is he works for me. That's it.”
“All right. Well, I guess if he works for you, that's great. I'm not going to give up trying to set you up with guys, though, because I want you to not have to watch shows about planes crashing to see a hot man.”
“Aww, that’s nice and I appreciate that, but it's okay. I'm happy with my life.”
That’s another little white lie. So what? I know Ava, and if I told her the truth, she’d want to have a whole discussion about it filled with sadness and pity for me. Those are the last things I need.
No, it’s better for Ava to think I’m the friend she’s always known. Single and perpetually- looking Eden.
“Okay, then I guess I’ll get down to why I called. We’re having a little get-together next weekend. You’ll come, right?”
When I don’t immediately answer, she tries to sweeten the offer. “You know, Marius will be there. He told me the other day he’s sticking around for a while. I think he wants to keep an eye on Ronan. Whatever his reason is, it’s nice to have him around. He’s always such a good time when he comes to stay.”
“Is he staying at the estate?”
“He is.”
Always curious about that King brother, I ask, “Why doesn’t he get his own place instead of constantly crashing with you guys? He has the money, so it isn’t like he can’t afford it.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve never asked. Maybe he likes coming back to the house where he grew up? I’m not sure, but I love having him around to spend time with his nephews, and I know Matthias likes having him around.”
I catch a glimpse of the man I like on this show and watch him for a few seconds before saying, “Well, I guess if nobody minds, it’s not like you don’t have room.”
“You know…”
Ava stops talking for a moment or two, but I can almost hear the wheels turning in her head. Ever since I mentioned being interested in Marius King almost seven years ago, she’s tried to get us together.
“What if we make the party like a sleepover? I know we’re all too old for that, but you could stay here at the house after the party. That way you can drink whatever you want and not have to worry about driving.”
I love my best friend. I really do. She’s one of the kindest, sweetest people in the world. I don’t think Ava could hurt a fly, even if she tried.
But this suggestion of hers screams desperation.
“So what are you saying? That maybe I’ll get drunk and he’ll get drunk, and we’ll end up together?”
She doesn’t answer my very pointed question and instead makes that noise that sounds like a hum that she always does when she doesn’t know what to say. Finally, though, she quietly answers, “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, would it? I just think you two would be perfect together, Eden.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, I thought you liked him. Also, we’re best friends, and he and Matthias are brothers. It sounds perfect to me.”
Of course, it does. Ava would love nothing more than for the two of us to be sisters-in-law. I love her for that.