CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 119 MOVING FORWARD

Caroline’s POV

The next day, even after a bad night of crying and sadness, I didn’t feel as tired as before. Rose’s healing tea had helped my body a lot, even if it couldn’t fix my broken heart. As I got ready for work, I tried to accept the truth. Draven would marry Ella Howard. He would do his Alpha duty to his maybe pup and pack. And I... I needed to learn to live with that.

When I got to the office, Ava greeted me with a big smile and a warm hug.

"Girl, I’ve been waiting for you to have coffee with me. I went to that small bakery near my home and got chocolate chip muffins," she said, showing a small paper bag that smelled amazing.

"I love chocolate chip muffins," I said with a real smile. "Let me just put my purse down first."

I went to my office, put down my things, and turned on my computer. Ryan showed up at my door, his tall body filling the space as he took my hand with a worried look.

"How’s the prettiest assistant in Thorne Enterprises doing today?" he asked.

"I’m good, Ryan. Thank you! And I’m sorry for sleeping on your couch all night yesterday," I smiled sorry.

"Oh, don’t say sorry! It was nice working while watching such a pretty woman sleeping on my couch," he winked playfully. "You can do it again anytime. My office is your office."

"You’re terrible!" I laughed, my first real laugh in days. "I’m going to have a quick coffee with Ava and then I’ll be back to catch up on work."

"Carrie, relax. Everything’s done. You work too hard," he told me. "Take your time with your coffee. We don’t have any problems to fix today."

I thanked him and went to the break room where Ava was waiting. She told me everything that happened after I fell asleep yesterday, including what Kyle told her about why Draven set the wedding date and how sad he was about it.

"Carrie," Ava said, leaning closer with serious eyes, "if I were you, I’d tell everyone to go away and fight for him. You’re both hurting apart, it can’t be worse than facing it together."

I sighed deeply, feeling Rory move inside me. "Ava, yes it can. Draven couldn’t live without his pup, and I couldn’t do that to him." I stirred my coffee without thinking. "Also, Ella would never leave us alone. She would do anything to break us up. Trust me, it’s better this way."

"Oh, girl, you look a bit better today," Rose came into the break room and walked to me, giving me a warm hug that smelled like herbs.

"Rose, I don’t know what was in that tea, but I really needed that sleep. Thank you so much!"

"Anytime, sweetie. That’s what pack is for," Rose held my hand warmly before going to the kitchen area.

My phone buzzed on the table. I unlocked it to find a message,"Beautiful Caroline, I heard you’ve been having a hard time lately. Why don’t you have lunch with me today? We can eat good food, talk, and maybe I can make you feel better."

I found myself smiling at my phone, thinking how to answer Jax.

"Who made you smile like that?" Ava asked, putting her chin on her hand on the table, looking curious.

"It’s Jax. He wants to have lunch."

"Of course you’re going to say yes," she said quickly.

I bit my lip. "I don’t know, Ava. I don’t want to make him think there’s hope."

"He’s a grown wolf, he can handle himself," she said. "You’ve always told him the truth about your feelings, so he knows what this is. If he wants to try, let him. At least you’ll have a good-looking friend who’s fun and will help you think about other things."

"You think so?" I asked, remembering how the girls told me to try moving on during girls’ night.

"I’m sure of it."

"I think I’ll ask Ruby first. He is her brother."

I sent a quick message to our girls’ group chat for everyone to see. I told them Jax asked me to lunch and asked Ruby what she thought.

She answered right away, "LOL, I’m the one who told my brother you and Draven split up! I think my brother would be lucky to get you, though honestly he might not be good enough for a beauty like you. He knows you love Draven. If he wants to take that risk, I fully support him. He knows how to take care of himself. And girl, you should say yes and have some fun. My brother is good company and won’t push you or expect anything."

Eleanor wrote next, making everyone send laughing faces,"Oh, but I would grab that hot guy and kiss him and bite those nice lips. Goddess, I’d put my fingers in that red hair while he..."

"I agree with Elle," Kyle cut in. "Sorry, Ruby, but your brother is very hot with that nice butt. Those jeans he wore at the last pack meeting should be banned."

"Even I would date Ruby’s brother if I wasn’t happily mated," Nina added surprisingly. "Girls, that man must be great in bed. Those wide shoulders and confident walk..."

After my friends said such good things about Jax being hot and fun, I decided to say yes,"Jax, I’d love to have lunch with you. I’m sure you’ll make me smile."

He wrote back right away,"You just made my day amazing. I’ll pick you up at noon. My wolf is as scared as a young pup meeting his first crush."

I smiled at his message and sent it to the girls’ group. We sent lots of messages about how nice and sweet he was. For the next two hours, I worked well without stopping. At 11,45, Ava came to my door.

"Come on, hurry! Get your purse, go fix your makeup, and go downstairs. That hot guy must be coming soon," she said, looking very happy.

I laughed at how excited she was and did what she said. I told Ryan I was going to lunch and followed Ava’s steps. When I got to the building entrance, I saw Jax park his black sports car. He got out smoothly and walked to me looking sure of himself, his red hair shining in the sun.

Rory moved inside me, but it wasn’t the same strong feeling she had with Draven and Alaric. Still, maybe this was good, a way to start feeling better and move on, even if I still loved someone else.