His Daughter's Best Friend

Chapter 7

I shove files into my bag with unnecessary force, one eye on the elevator, praying it doesn't ding.

It's 4:47 PM—if I can just make it thirteen more minutes, I can escape without seeing him. My body still throbs from our encounter in the filing room, his words echoing: "This conversation isn't over."

"Ready?" Chloe appears at my desk, already with her bag and car keys. "I need to get out of here before I commit patricide."

"Patricide is killing your father," I correct automatically, standing. "You mean fratricide."

"Whatever. Murder. Of Tyler." She links her arm through mine as we head for the stairs. "Speaking of which, if that asshole tries to contact you, don't even read the messages. Just block and delete."

"Already did."

"Good. You deserve someone who actually shows up, Ava. Someone who puts you first."

She pushes open the stairwell door. "Tyler's always been selfish. Remember sophomore year when he promised to help with your mom's birthday party then bailed for a frat party?"

"Can we not do the greatest hits of Tyler's failures?" I ask as we descend. "I'd like to maintain some dignity."

"Dignity? Babe, you drunk-swam in your dress two nights ago. That ship has sailed."

Despite everything, I laugh. "Thanks for the reminder."

We push through the exit door into the parking lot, and my laughter dies instantly. Tyler's leaning against my car, looking like he hasn't slept in days—stubble, wrinkled clothes, red eyes that lock onto mine immediately.

"We need to talk."

"Absolutely fucking not." Chloe steps in front of me. "Move, bitch."

"This is between me and my girlfriend."

"Ex-girlfriend," I correct, voice tight. "We're done, Tyler."

"Ava, please." He pushes off the car, moving closer. "Just give me five minutes."

"She doesn't owe you shit," Chloe snaps. "Get out of the way."

"This doesn't concern you, Chloe. Fuck off already."

"My best friend concerns me. Now move before I call security, dickface."

I try to step around him to my car door, but he blocks me, desperation bleeding into anger. "You're not even going to let me explain? Three years, Ava. Three years together and I don't get five minutes?"

"You got months with Megan, apparently." My voice comes out steadier than I feel. "That's more than enough."

"That was a mistake." He runs a hand through his hair, agitated. "She means nothing. She's always been throwing herself at me, and I was drunk, and…"

"Oh, so it's her fault now?" Chloe laughs harshly. "Classic Tyler. Nothing's ever your responsibility."

"Stay the fuck out of this, Chloe!"

"Don't talk to her like that." My anger flares. "Don't you dare take this out on your own sister."

"I'm trying to talk to you! To fix this!" His voice rises, drawing stares from people leaving the building. "You're the one I want, Ava. You're the one I choose."

"You chose Megan. On my birthday." I try to push past him. "Now move."

He grabs my arm, not hard, but enough to stop me. "You can't just throw us away without even listening—"

"Let go of her." The voice cuts through the parking lot like ice.

Tobias stands ten feet away, still in his suit from meetings, looking every inch the composed administrator except for his eyes. They're focused on Tyler's hand on my arm with an intensity that makes my stomach flip.

"Someone alerted you?" Tyler drops my arm, turning to face his father. "Of course. Can't have a family conversation without Dad swooping in."

"This isn't a conversation." Tobias moves closer, positioning himself slightly between Tyler and me. "It's harassment."

"She's my girlfriend—"

"Ex," I interject.

"—and we're having a private discussion."

"In a public parking lot, after she's clearly asked you to leave." Tobias's voice remains calm, but I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands clench slightly. "Step away from her car."

"Dad, this is none of your…"

"I said step away."

The air crackles with tension. Tyler glares at his father, something unspoken passing between them that makes my chest tight. For a moment, I think Tyler might actually swing at him.

"This is bullshit," Tyler finally spits, stepping aside. "You always take everyone's side but mine."

"I take the side of whoever's not acting like an ass," Tobias replies evenly.

I exhale, fumbling for my keys, ready to escape this nightmare…

"Well. Isn't this cozy."

Everyone freezes. A sleek black Town Car pulls into the administrative parking lot, and stepping out of it is a woman I've only seen in photos. Elegant, polished, looking like she stepped out of a fashion magazine despite the mundane setting.

Veronica Tucker. Tobias's ex-wife.

She removes her designer sunglasses, surveying the scene with sharp amusement. "Having a family meeting without me?"

"Mom?" Chloe's voice drops to arctic temperatures. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Is that any way to greet your mother?" Veronica's smile doesn't reach her eyes. "Though I see manners are generally lacking today."

"Veronica." Tobias's entire demeanor changes, warmth replaced by something guarded and cold. "You should have called."

"And miss this charming welcome? I think not." Her gaze lands on me, assessing. "I don't believe we've met. You must be one of Chloe's friends."

"This is Ava," Tyler interjects, moving closer to his mother. "My girlfriend."

"Ex," Chloe and I say in unison.

Veronica's perfectly shaped eyebrow arches. "How interesting. The ‘ex-girlfriend’ causing all this commotion?"

"I was just leaving," I manage, voice small under her scrutiny.

"Don't rush off on my account." She steps closer, and I catch a whiff of expensive perfume. "I'm Veronica Tucker. I'm sure my family has mentioned me."

The way she says 'my family' feels proprietary, like marking territory. I glance at Tobias, whose jaw has tightened further.

"What are you doing here, Veronica?" he asks.

"I heard about your campaign for governor. Impressive." She turns back to him, dismissing me entirely. "A campaign like that needs family unity. A strong support system. I thought I'd offer my expertise."

"We don't need…" Chloe starts.

"I wasn't asking you, darling."

Veronica's voice remains pleasant, but there's steel underneath. "I'll be spending quite a bit of time here at the administration, Tobias. Your campaign needs a family presence, and I have some ideas about modernizing your image. We have so much to discuss."

"This isn't the time or place," Tobias says carefully.

"Oh, I think it's perfect. Tyler, you look terrible. Come, we'll have dinner and discuss your future." She glances at me again, calculating. "You should probably run along, dear. This is family business now."

The dismissal stings more than it should. I fumble with my keys again, desperate to escape.

"Ava…" Tobias starts, then stops, unable to say whatever he wanted with his ex-wife watching.

"I really do need to go," I mumble, finally getting my door open.

As I pull out of the parking lot, I see them in my rearview mirror—Tobias and Veronica facing off, Chloe looking murderous, Tyler gravitating toward his mother like he always does when he needs an ally.

Whatever happened between Tobias and me has to stay buried. Not just because of Chloe or Tyler, but because Veronica Tucker just looked at me like I was a problem to be solved.

And something tells me she's very good at solving problems.