“It’s mine to risk,” he replied in a tone so stubborn I chuckled.
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s all you’re going to get. I like you, Jacy. You’re good for Declan. So good, in fact, that I’m scared losing you would be like losing his mother all over again.”
I stared up, my mouth open. “I’ve been here barely a week.”
“Long enough to sink deep hooks into Declan’s heart.” Avery half smiled. “And those hooks are sinking into me, too. I want to protect you. That’s all that matters.”
His timing either perfect or atrocious depending upon the perspective, Declan chose that moment to dash into my room. His keen perceptions instantly told him of the tension that all but vibrated the very air. He stopped. Glancing from Avery to me, then to the closed suitcase, Declan’s face crumpled, and he began to cry.
“No, no.” I slid off the bed to my knees beside him. I hugged him, holding his small body to mine, his arms clutched tightly around my neck. “Don’t cry, sweetie. Everything’s okay.”
“You’re gonna leave,” he wailed, his face buried in my neck. “Don’t go, don’t leave. Please, don’t leave.”
I caressed his silken hair. “I’m not leaving, sweetheart. Your daddy talked me into staying. Okay? I’m staying.”
My words had little effect, and he continued to cry. I glanced up at Avery, who smiled and winked.
“C’mon, little man,” he said, gently pulling on Declan’s shoulder. “Let’s let her unpack. We still have to cook dinner.”
I seized a tissue and wiped Declan’s face, permitting him to blow his nose into it with a sharp honk. His cheeks red, he managed a small smile, then hugged me again.
“I love you, Jacy,” he said simply.
“How ‘bout that. I love you, too.”
My light jest brought a smile, and he kissed my cheek noisily. Imitating a Tarzan yell, he dashed from the room and thundered down the stairs.
Avery bent and pulled me to my feet. Then into a tight hug of his own.
“It’ll work out,” he whispered against my hair. “Promise.”
I tried to laugh into his shirt. “That’s a promise I’ll make you keep.”
“I’ll protect you. I swear I will. Just don’t leave us. We need you.”
My arms around his tight waist, I looked into his sweet, kind eyes, his extraordinary good looks. “I guess I need you, too.”
“You do. Unpack your things, then come eat. I’m treating you to an Avery Armstrong special.”
“And that is?”
“Something edible.”
Chapter Six
Avery
“Avery.”
Her voice didn’t sound the same. Elsa’s sweet intonations had vanished, replaced by a hard bitten, bitter woman with no forgiveness within her. I winced and took the phone away from my ear to glance at it in confusion. I’d taken a couple of days to ready myself for the inevitable phone call, and now wished I hadn’t bothered to call her at all.
“How’d you know it was me?”
“I just did. Are you going to contest the divorce?”
“Hey, thanks for asking. I’m fine,” I said, sardonic. “Declan is good, too, growing fast. How are you doing these days?”
