"You!" Dylan's face contorted in anger and confusion as he glared at Ava. He pulled his hand back, fists clenched as if trying to contain the storm inside him. "You are ready to take the blow to save him!"
Ava held her ground. "You've made a big enough scene. I'm exhausted with this—your bad temper, your jealousy, all of it."
"Oh, so now this is my fault?" Dylan hissed. "You lied to me in the first place, just to be with him."
"She didn't lie." Before Ava could respond, Lola's fierce voice sliced through the tension. She hurried over to Ava and pushed Dylan away, placing a steadying hand on Ava's shoulder.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly, her gaze scanning Ava's face and posture to make sure she was unharmed. "I'm so sorry for leaving you alone—I took a bit longer in the restroom."
Ava heaved a sigh of relief at the sight of her friend. She wrapped her arms around Lola in a quick hug, murmuring, "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."