“It’s not?” he pressed. There was something happening here, something that made him hopeful.
“No. It’s like, I love Landon but I also love Savannah, but I love them differently because they’re different.”
He smiled. “And you drove all the way over here to tell me that?”
“Yes.” She smiled as if she’d just revealed the secrets to the universe.
He dropped his arms. “I’m glad you love Savannah.”
“But don’t you see?” Avery bunched his shirt in her hands. “That means that I don’t have to love you the same way I loved Luke. I can love you different, and different is okay.”
“Okay?” He wasn’t sure how he felt about beingokay. He brought his hands together behind her back and linked his fingers.
Her blush deepened. “More like fantastic.”
He smiled, touching his forehead to hers. “I like fantastic.”
She giggled. “Do you want to try this again?” She tugged him closer.
Ben pressed his lips together. “I’d love to. But you’re going to jail for trespassing, and I don’t date inmates.”
“What?!” Her mouth fell open and her hands went slack. She glared toward the door. “I told them you knew me. That big guy with the tattoos wouldn’t even listen. And then these guys are allIt’s a private residents, MissandDid you try calling?”She stomped her foot. “There’s not a romantic bone in any of them.”
“I’m kidding.” Ben couldn’t stop the laughter that rushed through him. She was so cute when she was riled up. Yet another part of her that he found he enjoyed.
Avery smacked his arm. “You can’t tease me about that. These guys almost shot me.”
There was a beep indicating an intercom was turning on. “Tased,” said a deep voice.
Avery shook her fists at the speaker, making Ben laugh harder. “I would have paid your bail,” he said.
“You!” She slugged him in the arm and then leaned into him. “You’d better kiss me until I forgive you.”
The air charged with awareness as Ben brushed his hands down her side before drawing her body flush with his. “I hope you like to hold a grudge.”
“You’re about to find out how stubborn I can be.” She lifted onto her toes and tipped her face, inviting him in closer. The lights clicked off, leaving them in darkness and telling him that security had left.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Ben pressed his lips to hers and did his best to say he was sorry for teasing her. What he found was that she was apologizing to him for pushing him away. Once they were clear on both those counts, they began to explore opening their hearts once again. The kiss slowed and became tender, full of promises and dreams. What he found in that kiss was his partner and his best friend. Their roads may have been bumpy and difficult, but they were together now, and that was the best place in the world to be.
Epilogue
Avery
“You know how to throw a party.” Avery scanned the backyard full of The Cove’s residents and Savannah’s and Landon’s friends from Belfast Academy. The sound of happy children filtered through the trees and large fronds. Adults congregated in shady spots, discussing the changing world market, developments in tech, and the Mariners’ last win. The sun was on the verge of setting. They’d had a perfect summer day without a cloud in sight.
Ben’s yard wasn’t a backyard so much as it was a water park. There were three pools, five slides, two hot tubs, and several water features. They’d set up three tents: one for tables, one for food, and one for the old-fashioned soda counter, where servers in white shirts and red bow ties mixed Italian sodas and dished gelato.
“Well, it’s all in the details.” Ben wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Evelyn came down the nearest waterslide, her hands over her head. She whooped as she splashed into the pool.
“She may never leave,” Avery laughed. Once Evelyn had met Ben, and Avery had put her foot down that she wasn’t giving him up, she’d melted considerably towards the idea of moving forward. Forward … noton. They all knew Luke would always be a part of their lives and in their hearts.
“I’ll give her a room in the small house.”
Avery laughed as she turned into Ben’s embrace. He kissed her once, and then once again. “Better not let Landon see us,” Avery teased. They’d tried to keep from kissing in front of the kids, but as time went on and they became closer, the kissing just happened. Though not without Landon yelling “ew!” every time.
“Ben!” Dawson Fitzwilliam slapped a hand on Ben’s shoulder. His diabetic alert dog sat next to him, her brown eyes taking them all in. A pretty woman held his hand, her eyes alight with laughter. “You’ve been avoiding me,” Dawson accused.
