Page 67 of Unexpected Love

I’m just glad she’s willing to give us a real shot, no matter how that looks right now.

“Let me give you a ride home,” I offer as we make our way downstairs.

“I can walk, it’s not far.”

“I know, but it’s cold, and you have wet hair. I’ll feel better if you let me give you a ride.” I grab her by the belt loops, pulling her into me and pressing a kiss to her neck, sucking gently.

“That’s playing dirty,” she moans, rocking against me.

I smirk and shrug. “I’ll use whatever charms I need to get you to agree with me.”

She laughs and shakes her head but agrees to let me take her home.

I pull up in front of Scott’s and stop in front of the driveway. “You sure I can’t take you to the front door?”

“Yes, you’ll draw too much attention if you pull into the driveway. Besides, it’s a myth about being outside in the winter with wet hair and that leading to a cold.” She smirks at me.

Ava turns to get out of the Jeep, but I grab her wrist, pulling her back to me. “Thank you for giving this thing a real shot between us,” I whisper as I lean over the center console, bringing her in for a kiss. She fights it for only a second before she leans into me, reciprocating the kiss.

“You know, you kind of suck at this whole secret relationship thing?” Ava laughs as we pull away from each other.

“Call it a relationship again.” I feel the spark in my eye and the grin across my face.

“Shut up. You know what I mean.” She pushes me slightly, but I pull her back, placing another kiss to her lips.

“No one’s around, and I can’t help myself. I need a proper goodbye.” I can’t stop myself from kissing her one more time before finally putting a little space between us.

“Gage—” A car honks before she can say anything else.

We both pull away and look behind us to find a black Mercedes-Benz pulling up. Right behind that is Declan’s truck.

I glance at Ava but find her already climbing out of the Jeep and rush to unbuckle myself to meet her around back.

Declan makes it out of his truck first and moves toward Ava so quickly that I’m instantly on edge. The driver-side door of the Mercedes-Benz opens first; a tall man looking to be in his early sixties, dressed in a suit and wool coat, steps out of the car, turning to open the passenger door behind him.

From the rear of the car, a tall, slender woman, not much younger than the man, steps out in formal business attire of her own. The look on both their faces would make a lesser man run. I find myself taking a step closer to Ava. I don’t touch her, but I want her to know I’m here.

“Ava.” The woman’s voice is harsh, and somehow, I just know this is her mother and father.

“Wh-what are you doing here?” Ava stumbles over her words.

Declan takes a few steps toward her, moving to her other side but angled so he can see everyone.

“We gave you some time to cool down after Christmas, but you’ve ignored our calls, so here we are.”

“I ignored your calls because there’s nothing for us to discuss. I said everything I needed to at Christmas.”

“Ava.” The man’s tone is sharp, so sharp that Ava flinches.

I step even closer to her, my hand going to the small of her back, just under the sweater she’s wearing. It’s too cold for us to be out here like this.

“Maybe this conversation should wait.” Declan steps in. “I told you to let me talk to Ava when you showed up at my place. There’s a reason she hasn’t been answering your calls. You need to respect that.”

“Absolutely not. Your sister has been throwing this temper tantrum long enough. You may not care about this family, but your sister does. She always does what’s right in the end.” I can see how the look she shoots Ava might have made her fall in linein the past. But I know they’ve gone too far this time. Ava won’t succumb to their manipulations anymore.

Ava glances at me over her shoulder, and I glide my thumb along her spine, trying to silently communicate I support her. She swallows and glances at Declan before reaching for my hand, pulling me into her side.

“Mom, Dad, this is Gage,” Ava says, and I squeeze her hand in return, offering her whatever strength she needs. “My boyfriend.”

---