Page 135 of Your Second Chance
Nova toweled off and went into the bedroom to get her pajamas. I unpacked a few of my toiletries, promising I’d do it after the holidays, but when I went back to the bedroom, I caught Nova standing by the bed, her phone in her hand. The smile she’d been wearing moments ago was gone, replaced by a slight frown as she stared at the screen.
“What’s wrong?”
She sighed, locking her phone and setting it down on the nightstand. “It’s Austin.”
I stopped mid-step, the mention of his name pulling me up short. “What about him?”
She turned to face me, crossing her arms over her chest. “He wants to meet for dinner tomorrow. With his new wife. At their house.”
I let the words settle, trying to gauge her expression. She looked conflicted, her brow furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line.
I reached out and gently rubbed her arms. “And how do you feel about that?”
She shrugged, though it was far from casual. “I don’t know. It’s... a lot.”
“You don’t have to do this alone anymore. I’m here now. We’ll go together.” Her lips parted as if to protest, but I stopped her with a small smile. “Luna will want to come, too. And her boyfriend—Dirks—he’ll probably tag along. Don’t they know each other? Austin and Dirks?”
She blinked, her brow furrowing as she processed. “They do.”
“See?” I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. “This doesn’t have to be you and him. You’ve got your people, Nova. We’ll all be there, and Scarlette will see that she’s surrounded by love—no matter what.”
Her shoulders relaxed a fraction, and she gave a small nod. “You’re right. And... if Scarlette’s already calling him Dad, then he’s important to her.”
“Exactly, and if he’s important to her, then meeting him—and his wife—is part of making this work. You’re doing this for Scarlette, and she’ll feel how much effort you’re putting in for her.”
Nova nodded again, her gaze softening as she looked at me. “I’d like to meet his wife, too,” she admitted quietly.
“And that’s a good thing.” I leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. “It shows Scarlette—and them—that this isn’t about the past. It’s about building something better for her future.”
A small smile crept onto her lips, and she exhaled a shaky breath. “You always know how to make it seem less overwhelming.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” I grinned, pulling her closer.
She tilted her head and studied me with that curious, searching look. “Do you ever feel... possessive over me?”
I blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Possessive?” I repeated, a grin tugging at my lips. “Why would you ask that?”
She shrugged, looking down at her hands. “I mean... everything with Austin, with his wife. You’re so calm about it all. I’d think you’d feel—well, jealous, at least a little.”
I couldn’t help it—I laughed, a warm, hearty laugh that made her glance up at me, her brows furrowed in confusion.
“Not to sound cocky, love,” I said, still grinning as I tilted her chin up gently, “but I worked damn hard to get you to love me. And I know you, Nova. You give love out sparingly. True love. So I know I have it.”
Her lips parted slightly, her cheeks flushing a bit, and I leaned closer, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
“Besides,” I added cheekily, “you’re not going to get better than me.”
She smacked my chest lightly, rolling her eyes even as a smile tugged at her lips. “You’re impossible,” she muttered, but her voice was warm, affectionate.
I kissed her cheek, letting my lips linger for a moment. “Impossible, maybe,” I admitted softly. “But I’m yours, Nova. Always.”
I slid my fingers into her hair, letting the soft curls tangle between them as I pulled her closer. Her head rested against my chest, and I couldn’t help but smile as I played with the strands.
“You know, he hated when I straightened my hair.”
I tilted my head, a devilish grin spreading across my lips. “Fuck him. Straighten it tomorrow.”
Her eyes widened, and then a laugh burst from her, soft and genuine. “What?”
