“Nothing is up, Ava. Oh, except how you were poisoned by some pharmaceutical giant who also nearly killed you, and now Shadow wants you to risk your life all over again while we’re still not even clear about whether or not you could have another blackout.” He heaved a sigh, shaking his head as he tried to stop tears from welling in his eyes. “Oh, and let’s not forget this all is my fault because I am the one who brought you out here.”
She pressed her lips together as he babbled before she grabbed his hand and led him to the couch. “None of this is your fault, Alex.”
“Are you kidding me? Because I feel like all of this is my fault. You were living your life perfectly fine in Silver Pine, and then I insisted you come out here.”
“Because you loved me, and you didn’t want to lose me.”
“Yeah,” Alex said with a nod, “and now I face losing you at every turn.”
He flung his hand in the air as he leapt from his seat again, pacing.
Ava followed him, turning him to face her before guiding him back to the couch. “Stop. You’re not going to lose me.”
“Well, let’s see, Avs,” he answered, his voice sharper than he wanted, “I’ve been kidnapped, you’ve nearly been killed–”
“So, have you,” she interjected.
“Yeah, well…you’ve been drugged, shot at, nearly strangled, and now, I walk in to find you practically in Doc’s arms.”
“Whoa,” she said, her eyes going wide. “So, that’s what this is about?”
“No,” he said with a shake of his head before he revised. “Yes. I don’t know. Avs, I feel like I’m going crazy here. Everything has me on edge.”
“I know,” she said, taking his hands in hers. “I know it does. Alex, this isn’t easy for any of us. Especially given that we’re starting a new relationship. But I love you. I don’t love Chris. I don’t love Doc. I don’t love…well, I love Gizmo, but that’s different. We’ll get through this. But you can’t be snapping at everyone constantly.”
Alex gave her a sheepish glance. “What about Shadow?”
“Huh?”
“You said you don’t love Chris or Doc, but you didn’t mention him.” Alex thumbed at Sebastian who paced back and forth poolside while staring at his phone.
“I don’t like Shadow either. I love you. I always have. We just…need to get through this so we can start our lives together without all this chaos.”
Alex bobbed his head, biting his lower lip.
“Oh, and maybe with Doc, too, because he’s kind of lonely, and he really wants to be a part of something.”
“I like Doc. I just…don’t want you to fall in love with Doc.”
She smiled at him. “Not going to happen. I like Doc, too. He’s a sweet kid, but he’s not you.”
One corner of Alex’s lips tugged upward at the words. “He’s also pretty bad at Super Mario Brothers three, so…”
“Exactly. And that is my criteria for affection.” Her grin broadened. “Feeling better?”
“Yeah,” he said. “It’s just all so new with us. I keepthinking you’re going to ride off into the sunset with someone else. We’ve never been together before. I’ve always been your third wheel.”
“You have never, ever been a third wheel, Alex. Never.”
“Thanks, Avs,” he said as she leaned forward to cup his cheeks and kiss him.
“Anytime,” she answered. “Now, can we proceed with our discussion on how to take down The Board?”
“Actually, I’m going to do some digging for your on-site mission. Tell Sebastian whatever he has in mind, I’ll be the tech support.”
“Okay,” she said with a nod as he offered her another peck.
“I’ll be in the office.”
