Chapter Nineteen
“To our son.” Holden’s mother lifted her champagne glass high over the table, and the carbonation sparkled in the restaurant lights.
He was back in the hotel, staying in the extra room his parents had booked and hating every minute of it. Every time he turned around, his father was standing there, asking for more details about his forthcoming deployment and where he’d be stationed next.
In truth, Holden didn’t want to think about any of it just yet. He knew, of course, that he’d have to move on, but the idea of going back into the line of duty without knowing that Avery would be there waiting…
That wasn’t a prospect he’d ever been interested in, captain or not.
“Before long, you’ll be looking at the White House.” His father clinked glasses with each of them, then took a swig of his champagne. Holden left his untouched.
“Maybe before you head off, we could see a little more of California,” his mother said. “Or we could fly out to Hawaii and visit Max for a while. I know he’d want to see everyone.”
“Oh, that’s all right. I only have a few days left, and I just want to relax,” Holden said then stared down at his food. The day before, he’d been on the phone with Tom, and his brother’s words kept ringing in his head, so loudly, in fact, that Holden had trouble focusing on anything else.
Holden had told his brother the whole sordid tale, his decision not to tell Avery about his contract and redeployment. He’d spilled his guts about everything that had happened that night at the gallery, and when he was done, Tom cleared his throat into the speaker.
“You love her,” Tom had said.
“Of course. I’ve always loved her,” Holden said.
“So why are you letting her get away? Does the military really mean so much to you that you can’t find something else to define yourself by?”
“I had a plan—”
“Screw your plan. This is once in a lifetime. Is this what you want your life to look like?” Tom asked.
Holden hadn’t known what to say to that, but now, as he sat across from his parents, he thought he might have some idea.
“You surprised us, dear,” his mother said. “We were sure you’d break our hearts and make the wrong choice.”
“But we’re proud of you.”
“You should be proud of me regardless,” Holden said. “And I can’t do this.” He slid back from the table and made for the atrium of the hotel. From there, he could book a taxi and maybe, just maybe, he’d be able to convince Avery to take him back.
He didn’t care what he had to say or do. He didn’t care if he never went back to the Marines and never had children. He just wanted to spend the rest of his days with her.
He made his way to the front desk, then stopped short.
Standing there, trying to bribe the concierge, was a tall woman with familiar straight blond hair. He’d know her anywhere. Rushing across the hotel, he stretched out his hand then turned her around to face him.
“Listen—” she argued, and then her breath caught. “Holden.”
“Yeah.”
It was amazing how two people could stand alone in the same room and still find a way not to look at each other. She gazed toward the closet, he stared at the ground, and whenever their eyes accidentally met, they would move in opposite directions again.
Oh, the comfortable silences.
“Listen.” Avery cleared her throat. “I’m, um, I’ve been…kind of an asshole.”
“We should have talked about my career. I should have been clearer about what I wanted.”
“You knew it would scare me. Like everything else.”
“But you deserved to know—”
“I understand. You just wanted to keep me—”
Their words clashed, each one fighting for supremacy, dying to make the first, the best apology.
Until Holden said, “I love you.”
The words hung suspended between them.
She’d always heard them in the way he looked at her, the way he treated her, in every word he said. But hearing them for real, for what it was…
More incredible than she’d ever have believed.
After a moment, he went on, “I shouldn’t have done what I did. I pushed you too far, and it wasn’t fair. I know that now. I won’t ask you to be with me if that’s not what you want. We can go back to the way it was. I don’t care. As long as I get to be near you, I don’t care. Avery, I—”
“I love you, too.”
…
Once they got back to her apartment, they immediately went to the bedroom. But before they let nature take its course, she insisted on making absolutely sure they were on the same page.
They sat on the bed, a large present on the bedspread between them.
“Well, it’s not like it’s a shock to anybody. I love you. No big deal.” She’d said it again. Louder this time, but he still wanted to hear her say it. Who cared how many times? A million. Over and over until his ears bled.
“No big deal?”
“Yeah, I love you. Who didn’t know that?” She shrugged.
He laughed, loud and big and joyful. “There are things we can do. If you want to be more than friends, I mean. We could—”
“Open the present. Then we can talk.” She nudged the box toward him, and he ripped the paper, only to find a cardboard box beneath.
“Oh, wow, you bought us a house.” He smiled.
“Don’t be silly. Keep going.”
He opened the box and lifted a suitcase out.
It was leopard printed. And pink.
“Uh, you bought a suitcase?” He touched the martini-glass charm dangling from the zipper.
Avery nodded and gestured toward the sparkly pull.
He unzipped the bag. It was filled with clothes, nighties, and an assortment of other items that would force him to play the curling iron or vibrator game.
“That’s all mine.” Avery’s smile widened.
“What, are you going to move in with my parents? I don’t think Maryland is your style.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Your mother is horrible. I couldn’t live in those conditions. I’m going to war with you.”
His eyebrows raised. “You’re what now?”
“I know you have stuff you have to do. With the Marines, I mean. But I got a job with a travel magazine.”
This was happening. After all these years, all this time, she was all his.
But he couldn’t let her give up everything, give up her entire life just to be with him. “You can’t do that. I can’t let you. You have such a great life in California.”
“Yeah, I did. But I’m going to go where I’m happiest, and I’m happy with you. Wherever you are.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Seriously?” She tilted her head to the side and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Just say it.”
She breathed a deep sigh, but still, she smiled before pronouncing the words, “Because I love you.”
“Damn right you do.” He pushed her suitcase off the bed, sending the clothes in every direction as they tumbled to the floor. A giant mess. The perfect Avery touch.
Once the space between them was cleared, he lunged for her, knocking her back into the mattress and splaying her golden hair out in every direction.
He attacked her mouth, sucking her lip, breathing in her minty breath.
Then he traveled lower, kissing her neck, her collarbone.
“So, do you want to get married, then?” he asked. She stood up straight, as if a lightning bolt had hit her. She’d even knocked him off of her in her shock.
“I don’t think—” she said.
But he couldn’t contain his laughter. His mirth broke free, and she blushed crimson.
“Oh, you’re a freaking jerk,” she huffed before lying back down on the bed and kissing his mouth between loud, affectionate chuckles.
“Maybe. But you love me.” He laid on top of her again, pressing every muscle in his body against her, determined to never, ever let her run away again.
“I love you, Avery Forrester.”
“I love you, too, Holden Morris.” She struggled to raise herself up on her elbows. “Now, soldier, take off your clothes.”