The Cunningham's and the Montgomery's have since long been feuding with one another. Dating decades back, the two families separate advertising companies in New York City have been competing to win over the most clients and become the most acclaimed...
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"YOUR family's business party?" I asked. Pretty much in shock.
"That's what I've said about 5 times now," Ava said, snapping her fingers in my face. "Keep up, Teddy."
I shot her a look for using my nickname and then thought about what she was offering.
Ava had shown up at the house to study with Matteo for a while and then I came back from the grocery store alongside Maverick. Once Maverick was back, Matteo quietly excused himself and took a cigarette out to the backyard. Maverick had looked at me questioningly, but I just shrugged my shoulders and pretended that I didn't know the real reason Matteo was so quick to get away.
And then Maverick called his parents, which left me and Ava sitting on the couch side by side watching whatever movie was on TV. After a while, we both got up and I threw some tater tots in the oven and grabbed us both a can of sweet tea from the fridge.
And now. Ava was standing in front of me and I couldn't help but grin (and question) what she was offering:
The Cunningham's were having a business party to bring in new clientele this weekend and Ava was allowed to bring some of her friends. Of course, she had invited Skylar, Maverick, and Matteo already. But now she was inviting me.
"You're inviting me. A Montgomery."
"I'm inviting you. A Montgomery," she said. "They won't know that it's you, Theo. They don't have to know."
"So what's the point? Why are you inviting me?" I asked.
Ava rolled her eyes. "Because you're my friend," she said. And then she stepped closer, standing up taller so that she could lean her lips close to me ear. "And maybe because I want you to be there."
She pulled away quickly. Too quickly. I wanted to pull her right back and tell her to keep speaking to me quietly as she stood closely, but I didn't act on impulse. She was inviting me to her family's party, her family's house, because she wanted me there. Not just because we were friends.
Fuck, that had to be the biggest Point: Theo of them all.
"It'll be crowded but full of food. And my parents really do know how to throw a great party. They said I could bring people I've met," Ava said with a shrug. "I've met you, haven't I?"
"I believe we've met, yes."
"It's obviously in New York, so we'll have to take a minor road trip tomorrow, but Matteo offered to drive. And my family is getting Buvette to cater, which means the food is going to be literally so amazing," Ava said and then rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air. "Do I have to keep giving you details to persuade you, or are you ever going to give me an answer?"
"Oh, you don't have to persuade me, Juliet," I said, grinning. I leaned up against the counter. "I'm all in. Dinner with the Montgomery's was fun and all, but a party with the Cunningham's? How could I refuse?"
