Unwanted

54

NOT EDITED (again)

Avery's phone chimes in her pocket but she ignored it before putting away a food tray. Nami has been texting Avery nonstop, asking if she had called Timothy yet.

Avery didn't like the pressure that was on her to make the moves to contact her birth parents. The pressure she was giving herself was enough but Nami kept adding to it.

Avery would never admit it but she did need Nami to keep pushing. Because no matter how much she wanted it, Avery was scared that it was too late. That she was to old to build a relationship with her family.

Another text message from Nami caused Avery to let out a sigh before leaving the kitchen.

Ian was standing at the hostess stand and Avery inwardly groaned before walking over.

The two of them hadn't really spoken since their kissing mishap.

"Hi," Avery broke the ice and Ian turned to her.

"Hi," he smiled before shoving his hands in his pockets.

They stood in an awkward silence and Avery took that time to undo and redo her ponytail.

"How's Annabelle?" Avery asked. Knowing it would without a doubt strike up a conversation.

"She's good," Ian smiled. "She's ready for summer to be over. She wants to start preschool."

Avery chuckled and shook her head.

"I give her five years until she's sick of the school crap and she'll be begging for summer to last longer."

"You're correct. But, until then, I'm going to marvel in the fact that my daughter enjoys school."

"Why did you wait until she was five to start preschool? Next year she'll be ready for kindergarten."

"Because my daughter is a genius and she was too smart for typical preschool. So I did ABCmouse with her. But for her to go to kindergarten she has to be in  a traditional preschool for at least one year."

"Oh," Avery frowned before looking up at Ian. "I just felt a serious sense of pride in my chest at the thought of your daughter being too smart for preschool. Is it weird that I'm obsessed with her?"

Ian chuckled and shook his head no.

"Not even a little bit."

Avery's smile fell as her phone chimes again and she let out a sigh through her nose. Nami is not cutting her any slack.

"Everything okay?" Ian asked.

"Fine, just Nami being annoying."

Ian didn't push for further explanation. Instead, he nodded and smiled at two guests entering. Avery took that opportunity to go check on her tables.

[•]

Nami knew when Avery was going on break. So, she lined up the lifeguard switching to make sure she had her fifteen minute break when Avery was starting her dinner break.

Quickly slipping on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, she quickly walked towards the clubhouse.

"Where are you going?" Eli popped his head out of his office.

"Dining room, I'll be back," Nami yelled back before slipping out the door.

"Where's Avery?" She asked the hostess on the stand.