Making the Book Boyfriend (Book Boyfriend Builders)

Chapter 30

New Year’s Eve

Ava

“Fuck. Do we have to go out tonight?” As I put on my earrings, I watch Maverick come right up behind me in the mirror. His hands are on my ass, my hips, sliding around to my breasts, and he kisses my neck. “Seriously, Ava, how am I going to keep my hands off you tonight?”

I have on a silver mini strapless dress. It is New Year's Eve after all, and I wanted to be flashy. But I also know how insane I’ll be making him tonight. “That's part of the fun, Maverick. The build up until we get home.” I wink at him and he swats my ass.

“There's going to be no build up. I’m going to have to jerk off in the bathroom at the bar. In fact, I think I should do it right now.” He starts to unbutton his pants, and I spin on him.

“Don’t you dare! You’re going to make us late.”

“It won't be my fault. Look at you!”

I laugh at him, calmly rubbing his back, trying to cool him down. “Tonight is a big night for Dick and Alistair. Don't you want to be there to support them?”

“I can send them a text.”

“Mav!”

He huffs out and steps away from me, making a show of biting his knuckles. “Fiiiine. But don’t you dare stop me from taking what I need when we get home.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I kiss him quickly, grab my purse, and we’re out the door before he gets any other ideas. We drive to the Tipsy Tavern where we are meeting Maria and the guys. Entering the restaurant has an amazing feel tonight. It’s not only the start of a new year but the start of a new life. I can feel it, and I don’t want to be anywhere else but with Maverick.

Jay and Nina are meeting up with us tonight, but Wes and Hazel chose to stay home. I think they’re enjoying just being together.

The bar is decorated with white lights and gold balloons. The feel is warm and friendly, with the excitement of a fresh start bouncing all around. We’ve been here for about an hour, and Maria and I have been watching Dick and Al. I’m sweating over the fact I haven’t seen either girl enter the bar yet. “Thirty-two minutes to go! Does everyone have their date?” Mav yells out.

“I’m going to be crushed for them if Cara and Anna don’t show.”

Maria pats my hand. “It’s going to be fine. The dates have been going well, why wouldn’t they show?”

I smile but it feels forced, and I’m still feeling uneasy about the situation.

“Princess, relax. Either way, you gave those two more confidence than they've ever had. If this night doesn't work out, another one will.”

“You’re right. But I really want tonight to be the start of something new for them.”

“It's the start of something new for us.”

I smile at his words. “I know. I guess we’re official now. We survived our first holiday together and are now kicking off the new year, right?”

“There’s no getting away now, princess.” He gives me a sweet kiss that ends with his hands roaming, and I have to swat him away. “Tease!”

I whisper in his ear, “We’ll make our own movie later, okay?” Even in the low lights of the restaurant, I see his eyes dilate.

“Jesus, Mav. Get a hold of yourself. It’s like you’ve never had a girlfriend before.”

He makes a show of adjusting himself, and Nina blushes, looking away. “Actually, I never have. And you know it.”

Jay thinks for a moment. “You’re right. You’ve had a lot of first dates but never more.”

He shrugs. “When you know what you’re looking for, you’re not content until you find it.” He pulls me close. “And I found it.” He kisses me but quickly pulls away when he sees the girls enter the front door. “They’re here!”

I watch Cara and Anna enter the bar and glance around, looking for a familiar face. Maria and I head over to greet them.

“I’m so happy you’re both here!” I exclaim and hug them tight. “How are you feeling?”

“We're both happy to be here. It honestly was so hard to wait until tonight to come find Dick.” I squeal at her words, and she squeezes my hand. “I really like him, Ava. And I never would have found him if it wasn’t for your class.”

“I love that. Anna, how about you? What’s the status with you and Al?”

“We’ve only had two dates. I don’t know why we didn’t find each other sooner, but we’ve been texting a lot and so far, so good.”

“Are you looking to start the new year with him?” I pry. I have high hopes for Al, he’s a wonderful man who has made big strides.

She blushes and glances at the bar, finding Al and Dick standing together. “I am.” She watches him. “He’s so different from any man I’ve gone out with before, but he’s definitely the sweetest.”

“Do they know you're coming? Have you talked about anything?” Maria asks.

“I’m pretty sure Dick knows I’ll be here. I cheated and sent him a pic of my dress earlier.” Cara looks sheepish and I laugh.

“That's great! How about Al?”

“The last time we texted was two days ago. I wanted to surprise him. He told me he’s never had a date for New Year’s so I wanted to make sure it was special tonight.”

I hug them both. “I think you should go find them. You’ve all waited long enough!”

The girls smile and Maria and I watch them as they approach the men. They tap them on the shoulder at the same time, and it’s like I’m watching a big reveal. Dick turns with an enormous smile and immediately wraps Cara into his arms. They whisper to each other and my heart melts for them. Al on the other hand, stands stiffly, looking shocked to see Anna in front of him. His hands are on his hips and his eyes are wide as he takes her in.

“Look at the way he’s looking at her. You did that, Ava. He can’t believe she showed up for him.”

My vision blurs as I blink away tears. I had no idea I’d become so invested in helping these men find their dream girls. When the two of them entangle their arms around each other, Maria nudges me. “Come on, let’s get back to your man before he loses his mind without you.”

We weave through the crowd, back to our table, and I angle myself where I can still see the two new couples at the bar. Maverick puts his hand on my waist, pulling me in close. “I’m glad to see both girls are here.”

I nod, smiling and still half crying. “You had a part of this too, you know. That day you worked with Al, you gave him confidence. You showed your own insecurities and helped him to not feel so alone.”

His gaze finds Al again before he refocuses on me. “We’re all the same at the end of the day. We’re just trying to put our best self forward to snag the girl who’s going to kick us in the ass for the rest of our life.”

I snicker. “Rest of your life, huh? Those are big words coming from someone who just realized he likes me.”

Mav turns to me, circling his arms around my back. “I think I always liked you. It’s the love that took me by surprise.”

He kisses me sweetly and someone calls out. “Thirty seconds!”

We grab our champagne glasses and move closer to the big screen hanging over the bar. Dick and Al are standing to the left of us with Cara and Anna, and we say a quick hello before I step back, letting them have their time. I don’t move too far away, wanting to be nosey and watch their happily ever after come true. The bar begins to count down from ten.

“Nine…eight…seven…” We all chime in getting to one and yell, “Happy New Year!” The music starts up and everyone cheers. I sneak a peek at Dick and Al and my heart skips a jump. They both kiss their girls.

“I knew you were a voyeur,” Mav whispers in my ear before capturing my lips. I laugh against his lips and kiss him back.

“I needed to see them graduate,” I say matter-of-factly.

“Does this mean we get to plan a graduation party now?”

He holds me close and we rock back and forth. “That sounds like a great idea. But no strippers.”

“Such a killjoy.” We give quick hugs to those around us and tap glasses once more. “So now what, Ms. Costa? Classes are over. How will you be filling your time now?”

“I think I’ll get started on my next book,” I say cheekily and tangle my hands around his neck.

“Oh? What's it about?”

“It’s an enemy to friends to lovers. About a guy who falls hopelessly in love with the girl of his dreams. He doesn’t give up until he gets her.”

“Sounds like a smart guy. Does she fall for him too? ”

“Oh, she falls hard.”

“I bet he’s there to catch her though,” Maverick replies.

“He is. And she knows it. It’s why she feels safe enough to let herself fall.”

“Princess, I can’t wait to write this story with you.”