Lucky You!: Lucky Me, #2

By Amanda Vint

Life isn't straightforward for Ava, and when someone puts an embarrassing spanner in the works, it's time for a fresh start.

Starting a new dream job seems like just the ticket, but things aren't that simple, and one step forward can feel like ten, very unsteady, steps back. With a hot American ex-boss, a pesky ex, and an Italian Adonis (who was only supposed to be a one night stand!), vying for her attention, things are getting messy.
Priorities are also changing for her two best friends, Leon and Lucy, so where does that leave her? Stuck in the middle of the man-mess in a state of forced singledom, that's about to go from complicated to catastrophic.

Come and join in the laughs and drama that is Ava Campbell's life, in the second part of this sparkling Romantic Comedy.

The only way is up... right?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Vint
• Release date: Mar 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201354411

Amanda Vint

Amanda Vint started writing romance novels in July 2016, self publishing her debut novel "Live and Learn" in the October of the same year. Following on from the positive feedback that the first book prompted, it then went on to become a series; with the next books "Twists and Turns" and "Clarity" being published. Specialising in the romance genre, she also uses her educational background in the field of psychology to incorporate a darker side to some characters, thus adding dramatic plot twists to the storylines. Amanda loves to connect with her readers and has a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AmandaVintBooks) and blog (www.amandavint.com) dedicated to doing so.

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Contents

Chapter One - The Devil's Diaries

Chapter Two - Truth or Dare

Chapter Three - Propositions

Chapter Four - You

Chapter Five - Triangles

Chapter Six - The Merge

Chapter Seven - Green Eyed Monster

Chapter Eight - Changes

Chapter Nine - Legs Eleven

Chapter Ten - Secrets

Chapter Eleven - It Never Rains

Chapter One - The Devil's Diaries

My heart was torn and I couldn’t help but wish this dinner was with Hayden. That kiss definitely had something behind it, but he’d hurt me, and I couldn’t easily forget that. Maybe I was making excuses for his behaviour, because even though I’d been treated badly in the past, I was always willing to see the best in others which had ultimately led to me being hurt.

What would you like to eat? Rupert asked, looking at me over his menu.

Huh? What? Oh, er, I’m not sure, I hazily replied, realising I was clinging onto my menu and hadn’t acknowledged one word of what I was reading.

You seem distracted, he commented.

No shit, Sherlock.

Is it any wonder? I remarked, trying to read what was in front of me.

Can’t you just try to enjoy tonight? he asked with a hint of annoyance.

With you? I sniggered.

Yes, with me. There was a time when you would’ve thoroughly enjoyed being out with me.

That was before the days of knowing you’re a cheating scumbag, I hissed, leaning into him and eyeing around me to make sure nobody else could hear.

I thoroughly regret what happened in the past. That’s why I’m here with you now. 

Lucky me. I chuckled sarcastically, continuing to blankly look at the menu.

He placed his menu down and lay his hands on top of it. I’m really sorry about how I treated you. If I could go back and change it, I would, but I can’t. Can you try and put that aside for tonight?

What was with people having to apologise to me all the time, basically because they had crapped all over my niceness. I had half a mind to become a complete bitch – a bit like Margo. She didn’t seem to have to contend with half as much rubbish.

Fine. We’ll have dinner and then that’s that, Rupert. Don’t be expecting anything else from me, I glared.

Raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, a smirk spread across his mug.

Never would anyway. He grinned.

Hmm, I wasn’t so sure, but with my stomach grumbling, I was willing to overlook the company I was keeping while I ate.

Eventually, I managed to pick something to eat and we were served our food, and while I gulped my wine down, he twittered on about his own work. I wasn’t bothered about listening to him, and about whether I got drunk tonight – I needed something to block this scenario out. He was acting like he hadn’t ripped my heart out all those years ago, and I wondered whether I did live on a different planet.

Although I was aware to not get steaming drunk around him, because some of my most disastrous life choices had occurred after one too many. There’d been many an episode of ‘my blurry, crappy, life decisions’ after too many cocktails.

What was apparent to me, was that he was still living in his own selfish world, and it seemed that some things never changed. As he talked about his work, and how well he had done since we had broken up, I wasn’t sure whether to be offended by what he was saying. He was successful now because he’d trampled over my heart and used the pieces as magic fairy dust, to sprinkle all over his own self-importance. Still as wrapped up in himself as ever, I would’ve put up with it years ago because I was so in love with him, but now I didn’t want to know, because that ship had certainly sailed.

No matter how good looking I still thought he was, nostalgia was only taking him so far. 

Do you want a dessert? he asked when he’d finally managed to come up for air.

No. I’d like to go home now. I’ve had dinner, so that’s my job done, I bluntly replied, shoving my napkin onto the table.

You make it sound like a chore. He chuckled.

I’m not sure what the point of this was. You have spoken about your own job... not a hint of the magazine. Why did you want to have dinner with me? To cause trouble?

With whom? Lockhart? He grinned.

I’m out of here, I huffed, standing up and grabbing my bag. Enjoy your dessert.

Swiping my bag onto my shoulder, what I hadn’t realised was that a waiter was stood directly behind me. In my sheer fury of wanting to get the hell out of Rupert’s company, time seemed to stand still, as I hit the waiter square in the face with the corner of my bag and he plummeted backwards, onto the floor – the tray of drinks he had been balancing, cascading all over him. Liquid from the glasses drifted into the air; droplets glistening in the warmth of lighting.

Rupert, rising to his feet, was joined by an unsuspecting couple which were seated next to the waiter, and that the liquid had now also sprayed all over. Reaching my arms out, a flashback of coffee and crotches confronted me, and the same level of mortification hit.

Bloody hell! the woman at the table cried out, as the fluid sprayed all over her food.

With the couples meals effectively ruined, the waiter, clutching the tray and trying to scramble to his feet, was now for some bizarre reason apologising profusely, while the couple turned on me with their angry expressions.

Oh my God! I’m so sorry! I cried, not knowing what to do to aid the sopping wet situation.

I needed to be kept far away from any beverages, and maybe other people. It seemed my coffee speciality had spread to other areas.

Our meals are ruined! the male half of the couple fumed at me. You stupid woman!

Feeling the tears brimming from the embarrassment and being shouted at after another day straight out of the devil’s diaries, I wanted to run away; but I was rooted to the spot watching the waiter desperately try to clear the mess up while scrambling around the floor like a hungry hippo picking up ice cubes.

The lady said she was sorry, Rupert commented, retrieving his wallet. Let me pay for your meals, and a bottle of champagne as an apology.

I watched on, as Rupert retrieved the money out of his wallet and handed it over to the man. He then tipped the waiter some money, who was still mopping up the residue of my latest disaster and sporting a red face where I’d clocked him one with my bag.

I really am sorry, I whimpered to the group of people I’d inflicted my clumsiness on.

Come on, let’s go, Rupert calmly replied, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and guiding me out of the restaurant.

Thank you for sorting that out, I sniffed, as we stepped outside.

It’s not a problem. I forgot about your little mishaps. He chuckled. It’s endearing.

Hosing someone down with lemonade and hitting a waiter in the face is not endearing, I replied, looking at him like he’d lost the plot.

Oh, it was funny. What you didn’t see, was that moments before, the guy was faffing around with a ring in his pocket. I think he was about to propose.

He wasn’t? I gasped in horror.

Yep, I think he was. He smiled.

Before I could stop it, I burst out laughing. Covering my mouth with my hands, I was filled with mortification, but I suppose it would be a proposal they wouldn’t forget any time soon – if he ever got around to it in the end.

See, you’re beautiful when you laugh, Rupert commented, smiling and brushing my cheek with his hand.

My laughs died down to muted chuckles, as I looked up at him and remembered the times when he was the only one who had made me laugh instead of cry. Here, in the frosty night, for a moment I struggled to keep in mind the hurt that he had put me through.

Leaning forward he brushed his lips on mine, and it was a familiar feel that a small, treacherous part of me had missed. Suddenly remembering that this was Rupert, I stepped back to remove myself from the scenario.

I can’t do this. Take me home, I muttered, looking down at the pavement.

Why are you pining for him? he asked.

The question took me by surprise, so I met his eyeline once again.

Who?

You know who I mean. Lockhart.

I’m not pining for him.

Rupert passed me a knowing look. You were never the one to lie to me, Ava. Don’t start now, he disappointedly replied.

I was actually thinking about what you had done to me. You hurt me so much, Rupert. I’m not sure you fully understand that.

I do, and like I’ve said, I thoroughly regret it. I don’t think you’ll ever realise how much you’ll get hurt if you continue sleeping with your boss.

Why do you keep bringing him up?

So you don’t deny that you have been sleeping with him?

What’s it got to do with you? I snapped.

Because I still love you, and I think there’s something about him that you should know.

Like what?

Can we go to your place? It’s better to talk privately, and preferably somewhere where I’m not going to get frostbite. He chuckled again.

His joke wasn’t funny and I wanted to know what he was on about. Knowing Rupert’s stubborn streak, I knew it was pointless to prod him for an answer outside the restaurant, plus we were definitely bordering into minus temperatures and I could barely feel my toes. Agreeing that he should take me back to my place and tell me what he was talking about there, I couldn’t help but wonder what he knew.

The journey back to my apartment never seemed so long, as I impatiently tapped my foot and waited in the passenger seat. Maybe Rupert’s information would explain some of Hayden’s cryptic answers and secretive behaviour, or maybe he was bullshitting in his usual way, to now wheedle his way into my home.

Both were probable answers to my never-ending train of thought.

Chapter Two - Truth or Dare

Getting back to my apartment, it was bizarre to have my ex with me. This was the ex that I never thought I would ever see again, yet I’d had dinner with, he’d saved me from yet another drink-related disaster, and now was getting comfy on my sofa while I made us two cups of tea.

What a weirdly, ordinary, strange scenario this was.

Gathering the two cups of tea, I went and joined him on the sofa and handed him his drink.

Thanks, he spoke, taking hold of it.

Come on, then. Out with it, I impatiently replied.

Can’t a man have a drink first? He laughed.

Not when there’s something that I want to hear. No.

Fair enough. I gather I’ve exhausted your never-ending patience. He sniggered.  Before I divulge to you what I know, you need to be honest with me.

Ha! Me, honest with him?!

Do you want me to scald you? I eyed.

Not really. He smiled.

I think you’ve got a nerve to be demanding honesty from me.

Maybe so. I didn’t mean it that way, to sound demanding. But please, just be honest with me. Were you sleeping with him?

What if I was? It didn’t stop you from swooping in there, I huffed.

It’s because I still have feelings for you. I don’t want to see you hurt again.

Just tell me what you know. I’m not saying anything. I don’t have to justify myself to you.

I know the truth from that statement. He smirked. Okay, I’ll tell you. You’re not the first, and you won’t be the last.

First what?

PA.

PA? I know that. Apparently there’s been a couple before me.

Has he told you about the circumstances surrounding their departure? He eyed me intently.

Well, yeah, kind of. The first one found something else, and the second... I trailed off.

What did he say about that one? he asked, with curiosity coating his tone.

Something or nothing, I covered.

He didn’t tell you, did he?

Didn’t tell me what?

Ava, he’s done it before. It’s like a game to him. He doesn’t think anything of it and sleeps with his assistants, before getting shut of them.

What? I hissed.

He probably did it with the first one, but the second he was definitely screwing. That’s the way he is. Word has it that he’s a real playboy. He’s bad news. Considers himself all high and mighty and uses women. He’s no doubt come over to the UK for fresh meat, and I don’t want you to be on his radar.

No, he wouldn’t... I whispered, slumping back in my seat.

Then again, would he? He’d effectively slept with me and then (literally) shoved me to the side. This was what he was known for? The rumours of him being a player were obviously true, and especially if Rupert somehow knew. The sweet and attentive side to Hayden, masked the truth of it actually being manipulation. 

Don’t be so hard on yourself, but there’s another snippet of information that I’m not sure whether I should tell you now, Rupert stated, placing his hand on my knee.

I was in that much shock, that I couldn’t even tell him to remove his hand, or what a hypocrite he was probably being by demonizing someone else for behaviour he had already displayed in years gone by.

Just tell me, I managed to utter, with the words catching in my throat.

I’m telling you this because I don’t want you to get hurt again. But, Ava... Hayden Lockhart is married.

What?! I gasped again, sitting more upright.

He’s married, which is probably why he thinks he can get away with it more over here, being out of the way of his wife.

No, I don’t believe you...

I wish I was lying, because it’s not a nice thing that he’s been using you. Just know that some leopards don’t change their spots, and he’s one of them. He paused for a moment and shuffled closer to me. This one sitting next to you has.

Er, yeah, okay, I muttered – what a load of crap.

Thinking back on my time with Hayden, maybe I had read all the signs wrong. By the sound of it, I’d never read any of them right! I knew before about the rumours, and I’d blatantly ignored them, but now I was paying the price. I said I loved him and he had ditched me like a hot potato. No wonder if he was married! I was probably getting in too deep for his liking.

How had I not realised that he was married?!

Can I take you to breakfast tomorrow morning?

Eh? What? I asked, managing to snap out of my thoughts to zone back in on Rupert’s face. Yeah, fine, I agreed, wanting him to leave. I needed time to think.

Great, he softly replied. I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty. I’ll show myself out.

Placing his cup down on the coffee table, he gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek and then left my apartment.

I hadn’t even acknowledged the fact he’d just kissed me on the cheek, and the click of the front door closing alerted me that I was now alone. Sat, still clutching my warm cup of tea, I wasn’t sure what to feel. Swilling down some of the lukewarm liquid, a jolt of heartache told me that I was hurt. I was a mixture of angry, upset, and frustrated at being in love with someone that had never deserved it – and someone who was already taken.

Placing my cup down, I balled my fists and using all my might, started punching the sofa cushion like a psyche ward escapee. I’d been stupid with men in the past, but this took the biscuit! A big, fat biscuit, coated in chocolate chip and with extra sprinkles.

I’d been so foolish! Of course I was just another notch on his bedpost! The rotten bastard!

Feeling the hot sting of tears drenching my cheeks, I wasn’t having this. Drying my cheeks with my hands there was no way I was wasting another drop of upset on a cheating liar like him.

Getting up from the sofa, it was time to sleep it off. It had been a really long day, and after the rush of emotion that had been on and off through the whole fifteen hours I had been awake, I was worn out. Tomorrow I would go to work and show Hayden that his antics had no effect on me. He wouldn’t know that I’d gone around punching my home furnishings and balling my eyes out like a baby; no, he would see the strong, calm and collected me – civil, polite, and thankful that I’d found out early on what he was really like.

His poor wife – no doubt sat at home somewhere in America, thinking that her wonderful husband was earning the crust, not screwing his PA. I’d been