But it was Sierra who broke the silence. ‘Watching them always makes my heart ache.’
Nina turned to look at her. She wanted to say ‘Me too’ but refrained, sensing that their aches were for completely different reasons. She kept quiet, giving Sierra space to talk.
‘I look at them, and it breaks my heart that my mom and dad never got to meet Poppy or see Mav as a dad.’ She closed her eyes, whispered, ‘God, Nina, they would have loved being grandparents. They would havelivedfor it.’
‘I’m sorry I never got to meet them.’
‘They would have loved you – for how happy you make Mav. But for who you are too.’ Sierra watched her brother and niece a moment longer. ‘He needs someone who is strong enough and kind enough to help him carry all the burdens he takes on. He needs someone he can lean on too, and you … You’re really good for him.’
‘I hope so,’ Nina said, but she felt her heart swell. It was important, she realized. Sierra’s approval was important. Because she had been looking out for her brother since their parents had died – just as he had been looking out for her.
‘He makes me really happy.’ Nina marvelled at the immensity of that. ‘Before I met him, I thought I was happy. I had this job I loved and was good at it. Successful. I had one amazing friend and a few good acquaintances and colleagues. My life was comfortable. But after the assault … Everything I thought I knew about life was stripped away. My job was on the line. I couldn’t tell my one true friend the truth. I felt like I had nothing. Like Iwasnothing.
‘And then I met Mav. And everything fell into place. I discovered the difference between complacency and happiness. And the worst thing I’ve ever lived through ended up being fate’s way of making sure I ended up in the right place at the right time with the right person.’
‘I’m so happy for you – all three of you.’
‘Me too,’ Nina said, and despite the exhaustion and fear and anxiety, she meant it.
When the band ended the song, Sierra and Nina joined in the applause.
Nina glanced back towards the dance floor and saw that Mav was making his way to her, his hand holding Poppy’s, his blue eyes fastened on Nina’s face.
As he reached their group of chairs, the band started playing ‘Run’. Mav held out one big hand for her.
He didn’t say anything, only waited for her to slip her hand into his before pulling her to her feet and leading her to the dance floor where couples were beginning to sway.
Nina placed one hand on his shoulder as he brought her other to his chest and placed it over his heart. She sank into him, felt his familiar scent wrap around her like an embrace.
They slow danced to their song, and it was only when it was halfway through that Nina pulled back to look up at him. She didn’t say, ‘I love you.’ She had said it many times before. She said, ‘You make me happy, Mav.’
And he replied, ‘You makeme, Nina. Happy. Whole. In love. Everything I’ve ever wanted to be, you make me.’
Her eyes burned even as her body responded, pulling tight with need. ‘Mav …’
‘What do you need?’
‘Take me home.’ She pressed her body to his, roped both arms around his neck, and whispered, ‘Please.’
They turned to look for Sierra and Poppy at the same time, saw that the two of them were at the overladen food table, piling their plates with food. ‘It doesn’t look like they’ll notice if we slip off …’
‘Text Sierra anyway. We’ll come back for them when they’re ready.’
Mav smiled at her as he pulled out his phone. ‘This is actually good timing; I want to speak to you about something …’
Nina frowned at his tone. He sounded … She didn’t know. Off. Anxious maybe. ‘That’s sounds ominous.’
‘It’s not.’ But his face paled a bit. ‘I hope.’
‘Mav …’
He silenced her concern with a kiss. ‘Wait until we’re home.’
Nina felt relief spread through her. As certain as she was of their love, the kiss calmed her even as his casual reference to ‘home’ settled her racing heart. They didn’t quell her curiosity though.
They bundled into the Jeep, laughing when Shadow leapt onto Nina’s lap and licked her face, refusing to be left by Maverick for even a moment.
In the Jeep on the way home, she asked, ‘Did we get a new rescue?’
