Page 127 of Sawyer

“You deserve so much more than to be married to a man who calls you awful names and wants to change who you are,” I say.

Ava nods. “I know. Being with you has shown me what’s possible. What’sgood.”

“You cryin’ like this ain’t any good, pretty girl.”

“But being with you?” She takes my hand, twining our fingers. “That’s really good. The best I’ve ever had. Best I’ve ever felt. Because youdolove me for who I am.”

A bubbly feeling rises through my chest, settling in the back of my throat. “I do. So fuckin’ much, pretty girl. I love you so fucking much. I love that you’re always down for an adventure. You’re spontaneous. Fun as hell. I love that you like to try new things. I love how you love your baby. Didn’t realize how dead I was inside until I met you, and no matter what happens, I’ll always be grateful that you brought me back to life.”

Her expression contracts. “Thank you,” she breathes.

“For what? Lovin’ you for who you are? You don’t gotta thank me for that. Easiest, best thing I’ve ever done has been falling hard and fast for you.”

“Oh, Sawyer.” She sniffles. “I’m ready, honey. I want you. But I know how important getting married and having more kids is to you, and I’m not sure I’ll ever want those things. If that’s a deal-breaker, I get it. But I’m all in if you’ll have me as I am.” She rolls her lips between her teeth. “I get that this is all so much messier than either of us hoped?—”

“Really? Because I’m not sure it’s very messy at all.”

Her eyelashes flutter. “But we want?—”

“The same thing, Ava. Each other. And help unloading the dishwasher.”

Her eyes fill. “God.” A pause. “Godyou’re fucking good.”

Laughing, I cup her face in my hand and pull her in for a kiss. “I love you, Ava. I wasn’t joking when I said I’ve been in love with you since you bumped into me at that honky-tonk.”

“Cowboy, I’ve been in love with you for what feels like forever.”

She kisses me back, a slow, unhurried caress that tastes like tears and feels like freedom.

There’s still so much we have to figure out. The kids, our exes. Will she consider moving in with me? That would make for a bit of a commute for her, though.

I haven’t met her family yet.

I also wanna keep dating her. It’s too soon for that phase of our story to be over.

Really, I wanna date her forever if she’ll let me.

Pressing one last kiss to her lips, I pull back. “So now that that’s out of the way …”

She laughs. “This happened too fast.”

“Yes.”

“We’re being reckless.”

I grin. “Maybe.”

“But we’re going in anyway.”

“Definitely. Because there’s a good chance this is also the best decision we’re ever going to make.”

She’s smiling, the kind of smile that touches her green eyes. She arcs her thumb over the back of my hand. “I’m in.”

“Me too.”

She looks at me. I look back.

“Thank you. For turning a really bad day into a really good one.”

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