Ethan wasn't looking forward to Sienna sweet-talking him. The last time he'd angered Ava, he'd found himself doing her chores for an entire week—and he hadn't even realized he'd agreed to it. As for Juliet, the one he secretly called the Wicked Witch of Oz, she was no better. While Sienna used the soft, sweet approach to persuade him, Juliet had a knack for using cutting remarks that led to consequences—though not from her hands, but rather, from Ava.
Both of them had their wicked sides. And if he didn't know any better, Ava did too. But of the three, Ethan had to admit, he felt a particular fondness for Sienna—the sweet one. Still, he couldn't seem to avoid any of them. It was as though they emitted some kind of "spinster's pheromone" that drew him to their group. Not that he was in love with them or anything. It was more like a sibling bond, where every time he spent time with them, he felt safe and happy, as though they were his long-lost sisters. That's why he made it his mission to make sure they all found happiness and didn't remain "the Three Spinsters" for too long.
"Where were you when the others were here?" Ava eyed her cousin's attire. "Why are you all dressed up?"
"Not telling," Ethan teased.
"Ethan Langley!" Ava warned, narrowing her eyes.
"Just out and about with friends," he said with a mischievous grin, trying to dodge the truth.
"Where?" Juliet asked in her serious tone.
"A nightclub," he finally admitted.
"Ethan Langley," they all said in unison.
Right then, Ethan felt like their little brother, as they all stared at him like any big sisters would, ready to lay down the rules and punish him.
Ava was in disbelief. Never had she imagined her young cousin would venture into a nightclub. When she was his age, all she did was work and study—there wasn't even time to appreciate the scenery, let alone go clubbing.
"There was hardly anyone there," Ethan rambled. "It was too early, and I didn't even get a sip of alcohol. So there, I didn't do anything wrong."
"But Ethan, you're still in high school," Sienna said, concern in her voice.
"But I don't want to grow up never having experienced drinking alcohol," Ethan whined, his voice growing more desperate. "I've only got one life. Plus, I want to try it before I turn twenty."
At this, Ava felt her world spin. Tears nearly brimmed in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away, hoping the others wouldn't notice her shift in expression.
Growing up, Ava had never had the opportunity to get drunk. In fact, she had never even tasted alcohol. Well, that wasn't entirely true. As a dentist, she had frequently been near alcohol—mainly the kind used to fuel the Bunsen burner for her work. But that wasn't the drinkable kind, of course.
"You're underage, Ethan," Sienna interjected, breaking her train of thought.
"More importantly, Ethan Langley, you broke the law," Juliet added with a smug expression.
"What, Juliet? Are you going to call my mom?" Ethan challenged. "Tell her in Dubai?"
"I think I might," Juliet replied, heading toward the phone.
"You wouldn't dare," Ethan gasped. "It's going to cost Ava a fortune to make an international call. Plus, you don't even know her number."
"Oh, I would, Ethan," Juliet said with a smirk. She reached for the phone. "I could always ask Ava for your mom's number. And I'll cover the bills."
"You witch," Ethan muttered, lunging toward Juliet.
"Now, now, you two, stop it. It's Ava's birthday, after all," Sienna intervened, catching Ethan before he could collide with Juliet. "I don't want Ethan's mom to know he's been out. That would look bad on her part."
"Thank you, Sienna," Ethan said, suddenly forgetting his irritation. He wrapped his arm around her, resting his head on her shoulder like a puppy seeking affection. "You're the best. Not like my cousin and the Wicked Witch of Oz."
"Excuse me?" Juliet huffed at Ethan, her face reddening.
"No, nothing, nothing at all," Ethan quickly zipped his lips. "Sienna, you didn't hear anything, right?"
For a brief moment, there was a flash of sadness in Sienna's eyes, one that Ethan couldn't quite understand. It disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
"I didn't hear that," Sienna said with a warm smile, her affection for Ethan evident.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that either," Juliet said, finally dropping the subject.
"All right," Sienna said, flashing a big grin. "Now, Ethan, give your congratulations to your cousin."
That's when they all noticed Ava had gone completely silent. A sad look was now plastered on her face, reminiscent of the expression she wore when she blew out the candles earlier.
Juliet was the first to react, folding her arms around Ava to offer comfort. Meanwhile, Sienna went to brew some green tea, with Ethan following her absentmindedly, unaware of the change in atmosphere.
Once Ava and Juliet were seated on the couch, and Sienna and Ethan returned with steaming mugs of green tea, they all gathered in a circle, giving Ava their full attention.
"That's it," Ava said, her voice resolute. "I'm not going to cry over what's already been done, or not done. We're going out tonight."
"Wherever you're going, can I come too?" Ethan asked enthusiastically, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Not unless you have a death wish," Ava replied with a stern glare, while Juliet and Sienna exchanged looks, wondering where Ava's declaration would take them.
Yes, Ava thought. She might be older now, and yes, she might feel as though she had been left on the shelf, but it wasn't too late to find her own happiness. She could still find love, a family, and maybe even a husband. Starting tonight, she would reverse the clock. Tonight, they were going clubbing!
As the night drew nearer, Ava couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building up inside her. It was time to break free from her routine, to shed the doubts and insecurities that had weighed her down. She was determined to make tonight about herself, to reclaim a sense of youth and freedom she had long forgotten. After all, how many more birthdays would she have to spend with regrets hanging over her?
Sienna and Juliet exchanged glances, knowing Ava's sudden decision meant more than just a night out. It was a bold declaration—a statement of independence. It wasn't about finding a husband or proving anything to anyone. It was about Ava stepping into a version of herself she had kept hidden for too long. The woman who could laugh freely, dance without restraint, and, perhaps, even love without fear.
As they prepared to leave, Ethan couldn't help but grin. He'd always known Ava had more to offer than what she let people see. And tonight, she was going to show the world just how radiant she could be. With a final glance back at the house, they headed out into the night, ready to make memories they would never forget.
The night was theirs.