Page 106 of Avery's Hero

But I’ll just keep all that serious stuff to myself.

Shaking my head, I squeeze her tighter. “It’s these jeans. I can’t think when you have them on.”

“Brain lacking blood again?”

“Always around you. Just look at all the rash things I’ve done since we’ve been together.”

Ginning like the sexy little devil she is, she bats those big blues up at me. “I’m so glad I have that effect on you.”

“Me too. Me too, hot stuff. You’re worth every damned minute of insanity.”

I let out a breath. “Speaking of insanity, I still can’t believe that Linc is old enough to go to the homecoming dance tonight.”

She laughs. “He’s as much of a mess as you are, this weekend. I think he’s sent me a dozen pictures of his outfit.”

I laugh as I imagine Linc snapping selfies in the mirror of his shirt and tie. “I thought raising a boy would be easier than a girl.”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure it is. How do you think Belle’s mom feels about him taking her to the dance tonight? Speaking of, you did have the birds and the bees talk, didn’t you?”

“Fuck. You’re giving me gray hair. I did have the talk. Even gave him some condoms just in case he does something that I told him NOT to do. But I didn’t even think about what it has to be like for her mom. Hopefully, she knows he’s a good kid.”

“Sounds like her mom likes him. Belle was over the moon to get to go. She never imagined that this thing with the bullies would be over and Belle could safely go to the dance, or any other school function for that matter. It was such a shame. But when the other kids apologized, her whole world changed.”

I tug her into my arms and kiss her temple. “It was really nice of you to buy her that dress.”

She smiles softly as she leans into me. “We had some good girl time while we were shopping. I shared with her all about my experience with bullies and gave her some suggestions on how to deal with them if anything happens again.”

“You know how much I love you?”

Wrapping her arms tighter around me, Avery says, “You could always tell me again.”

“More than swiss cheese.”

She giggles, “You don’t even like swiss cheese.”

I lift her off the ground and kiss her possessively. “So my statement was true.”

She pinches me hard.

I lower her to the ground but don’t let her go. “Okay, let’s try this one—More than running by the ocean.”

She sighs, “Now we’re getting somewhere. Speaking of, let’s get going before we miss this beach party you’ve been bragging about, unless you plan on climbing back in that truck with me.”

Growling, I nip at her neck. “Don’t tempt me, you littlespitfire. I remember how hot you were the last time you were all over me in the truck.”

She dances away, but holds her hand out for me to join her. “Shhh. Keep your voice down.”

I amble over to her, catch her hand in mine. I’m proud to let everyone know she’s with me.

Not that anyone has to wonder. It’s all over the gossip news pages and freaking social media sites. “Former Fire Chief Rescues Firefighter He Resigned Over.” Right alongside a picture of us kissing that some reporter snapped at the garage fire scene.

We had some laughs about it. Avery didn’t seem to care about the attention. “At least the picture was good!” she said.

As we cross the boardwalk and weave between the clusters of people, Avery’s scanning the crowd. “I hope Gunnar comes out. It will be good for him to meet some people.”

“He’s coming. We talked earlier.”

“Oh good. I’m so glad you guys are getting along now.”

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