Page 81 of Unexpected Love

“Thanks, honey,” Mom says as she lifts her wine glass to her lips.

Ava shifts in her seat, likely uncomfortable with not helping somehow. Before she can stand or say anything, I place my hand on her thigh, squeezing slightly. “They’ll never let you help. Not this time,” I murmur in her ear.

“You’re our guest,” Dad tells her, noticing her discomfort.

“At least for tonight you are,” Mom continues for Dad.

Ava glances between the two of them for a second, but I see the moment it clicks—what all of us are saying. She’s part of the family now.

She glances down at the table and tucks a piece of hair behind her ear before relaxing back into her seat.

“Thank you.” It’s said so softly, and with a slight wobble, I would have missed it if I weren’t sitting right next to her.

Mom reaches for her hand, squeezing it lightly before she looks down the table at Dad. “How was everything at work today?”

“You okay?” I ask Ava quietly.

When she brings her eyes to mine, tears are welling in the corners, but she smiles and nods before tucking herself into my side and turning back to my parents’ conversation.

I try to pay attention to what they’re talking about, but all I can focus on is the feel of Ava at my side. She fits so perfectly tucked against me, and this evening proves she fits perfectly in my family.

She gets along with my parents—something I already knew thanks to them ambushing her at Murphy’s a couple of weeks ago and constantly asking about her. She also gets along with my siblings and always encourages me to spend time with them. She understands the importance of family and why I hold them so close. And even when she’s hurting because she’s never had this with her parents, she’s still present and involved in everything going on around her.

Leaning in, I kiss her temple before dropping my mouth to her ear. “I love you,” I whisper.

Her eyes close, and she takes a deep breath. Her exhale seems like one of utter contentment. “I love you, too,” she whispers back, her eyes focused on mine.

“Why do you love me?”

I don’t know how I manage to keep the car on the road when Ava’s words actually register in my brain.

“What?” It comes out as more of a breath than an actual word.

“Why do you love me?” she repeats, her words quiet.

After enjoying the pie Mom and Ava made, we sat around the table and played a round of Monopoly.

Leo firmly believes you can’t hide your true nature while playing Monopoly. It’s his go-to game whenever anyone wants to introduce someone to the family.

If they don’t want to play, they aren’t fun, and, therefore, can’t hang with the rest of us.

If they play but are afraid to win, they aren’t tough enough to be part of the family. You can’t be afraid to speak your mind in a family like ours.

But, if they play and aren’t afraid to go for the win, then chances are, they’re a good fit.

Ava wasn’t afraid to go for the win, and she proved that in spades, taking all of us out one by one. And she didn’t have a problem pointing that out to Leo a few times before we left, especially after he bragged about being the reigning champ three years running.

But we’re on the way back to my place now, taking it easy with the snow coming down. We’re only five minutes from the house, but I need to look her in the eye after that question.

Pulling off to the side of the road, I put the Jeep in park, unbuckle my seatbelt, and turn to face her. “Where’s that coming from?”

“Sorry, it’s nothing.” She shakes her head, her eyes focused on her hands in her lap. “Forget I asked.”

“Rebel.” I reach across the center console, taking her hand in mine. “I don’t want to forget you asked. I have a list of reasons a mile long, and I don’t have a problem sharing them with you. I just want to understand where that question is coming from.” My voice is soft, my tone gentle.

Ava releases a sigh before letting her head fall back against the headrest. She takes a few seconds before she turns to look at me, tears in her eyes.

“I don’t know why I doubt it. I’m sure it has something to do with my parents, but it’s not like others haven’t shown melove.” Her eyes may have tears, but her voice doesn’t waiver. “I mean, Declan is the best big brother I could’ve asked for. I’ve never doubted his love for me. And Scott and the rest of the Marks family. They’ve taken me in just like they did Declan.” She reaches up and swipes at the tear that escapes.

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