Enemies to lovers but they never get to actually have each other in the end.
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Ava hated Noah.
She had known him for two whole years after being introduced to him at a random party and, even though she's only been around him a handful of times, she couldn't help the annoyance that filled her whenever he was around.
Noah wasn't loud and obnoxious and as easy as the other men she's met before, but somehow he had the kind of charisma and pull that made Ava want to throw something at him.
She couldn't figure him out.
Not back then, and certainly not right now as she tries to decipher the look in his eyes as he sucks on a cigarette and watches her walk towards the house he stood in front of.
"What?" She can't help but snap as she finally makes it to the front porch and has no choice but to acknowledge him.
His mouth twitches slightly and he lifts a brow at her, purposefully stepping in front of her to stop her from reaching the door.
"A hello would be nice," Noah drawls, voice full of amusement as he blows smoke over the top of Ava's head.
She tries to hide her irritation but fails.
"Hello," Ava says flatly as she steps to the left and he mirrors her. "Now move."
He looks at her in a way that makes her want to throw the wine bottle she held at him. She refrains, though, because even if she only spent $30 on this birthday present, she wasn't about to waste it on him. She didn't even know who's birthday it was. Her best friend, Kat, only told her to bring something small and to come have fun and – god, after this week, I deserved it, Ava told herself.
"Not gonna wish me happy birthday, sweetheart?" Noah drags her back to the present with an amused look, eyes glancing down at Ava's hand that was gripped tightly around the neck of the wine bottle.
She feels the heat swell to her face before she can stop it.
It's his birthday?
He snorts and finally steps aside to let her through, eyes no longer on her as two cars pull up.
"Kat's inside with Sam. Bottle can go on the table by the kitchen."
And just like that, he dismisses her.
If it weren't for the fact that both cars were full of people who made their way over to Noah excitedly, Ava was sure she would have thrown the wine at his back.
She didn't know why he was so cold to her. Men typically aren't. But, he was, and she hated him for it.
"I know I should have told you it was Noah's birthday but I also know that you wouldn't have wanted to come," is the first thing Kat says as she wraps Ava up in a big hug and squeezes.
Despite her annoyance, Ava can't help but laugh it off as she lets her best friend go and puts the present on the kitchen counter top.
"I haven't seen you for two months since you've been on holiday, of course I would come."
Sam, Kat's partner and also the person who introduced her to Noah, offers a white and purple can to her. She'd never tried this particular drink before, but as soon as her fingers touch the cold can of the alcoholic beverage, she tips her head back and finishes half of it instantly.
