Tammy's words left Avery speechless.

It was all her own fault!

Why did she have to accept Elliot's gift?!

Things would not be this awkward if she had just rejected it.

Avery hung up on Tammy, then called Mike and said, "Don't you think you should tell me before reorganizing a birthday party for me?"

"What if I told you, and you said no?" Mike said. He knew her too well. "If I inform everybody else before I tell you about it, then you would have no choice but to show up."

Avery laughed bitterly.

"You have fun with everybody on your own, then! I'm not going!"

"I already invited Elliot Foster! That shameless man accepted the invitation right away!" Mike said mockingly. "Your ex-husband sure is thick-skinned, Avery. Why do you like men like him?"

Avery lifted her hand to massage her temples, then hung up the phone.

Tammy called again less than a minute later.

"Elliot's going to the party, Avery! I thought that someone as proud as him would definitely decline the offer, but he d