Page 70 of Unexpected Love

“Oh, uh, yeah, of course,” I stumble slightly. “Whatever Ava wants.”

“It’s probably a good idea,” Ava agrees.

“Okay, I’ll let Quinn know. Seven o’clock okay?” he asks, looking at me.

“Yeah, that should be fine.”

“My place?” he asks Ava.

“Sure,” she agrees, giving him a small smile.

Declan looks at her for another moment before he pulls her into a tight hug. “I love you so much, squirt.”

“I love you, too, big brother,” Ava says as they pull away.

Declan reaches to shake my hand before he heads out the door.

“You sure you’re okay?” I ask as Ava turns to look at me.

“Not really, but I will be.” She gives me a warm smile before stepping into me, her arms moving around my waist. “Thank you for being here.”

I hug her tight, my head buried in the crook of her neck. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” And I mean that more than anything.

Being by Ava’s side has been a privilege. And while I wish there hadn’t been a need for it, I’m so incredibly grateful I was able to bring her the comfort and support she needed.

“I’ll see you after work, okay?” I ask softly as we pull away.

“You don’t have to go tonight if you don’t want to.”

“Where else would I want to be?” I ask as I cup her face in my hands. “This is out in the open now. I’m taking full advantage.” I give her a charming smile as I bend to kiss her lips. “I’ll see you later,” I whisper against them, pressing one more quick kiss before heading out the door for work.

twenty-eight

GAGE

“I knowI don’t have the full story when it comes to you and Ava,” Declan says as he pops the top on a beer and hands it to me where I stand in the living room looking at a painting of Scott on the wall. “But I’m grateful she’s had you to lean on since she’s been here.”

I rub a hand against the back of my neck, glancing in Ava’s direction to see her helping Quinn in the kitchen. I don’t think I’ve seen Ava as relaxed as she is now, and I couldn’t be happier she’s finding her peace again.

“I don’t think it’s my place to tell you that story,” I say, turning back to Declan.

He shakes his head. “No. And I’m not asking you. I’m just saying thank you for taking care of my sister.”

“She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”

“I know. But it’s nice knowing she doesn’t have to.”

Like a scene out of a romance movie, we both turn to watch Quinn and Ava laughing in the kitchen, and neither of us can stop the smiles that grow across our faces.

My smile doesn’t last, though. I turn back to Declan and lower my voice, trying to make sure we aren’t heard—not yet at least.

“You were right about your parents not leaving town. I saw them checking in at The Ashford Lodge this afternoon.”

Declan continues staring at the woman in the kitchen, but his eyebrows draw in, telling me he heard me. It takes him a minute, but eventually he moves to sit on the couch, motioning for me to do the same.

He sits on the edge of his seat, his elbows resting against his knees, messing with the label on his beer bottle when he starts speaking. “I’ve never understood—especially with who my grandparents were and how they raised him—but for some reason, my father has this picture in his head of what our family must look like. It’s like, because he’s part of Harborview’s founding family, we have to check these specific societal boxes, and if we don’t we’re a failure. A failure for what? I have no idea.”

Declan takes a moment and looks back into the kitchen. “I had to fight tooth and nail for them to agree to let me pursue my art, and it was only after I sold my first piece that they started to listen.” His eyes come back to mine. “When I told them about my divorce, they were so angry with me. The things they said are something a child should never hear from their parent—regardless of their age.”

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