I never thought I’d be at a beach in Florida, swimming confidently alongside new friends who aren’t blood but love me like I’m theirs—friends who like me, forme.
And never,ever, did I expect to be presenting an award for Best New Actor at the F and T awards…to Cole Green.
A man I consider family.
All of it—every wild, impossible moment—happening with my husband by my side.
Husband.
The word’s been easier to say lately. It doesn’t leave that bitter taste in my mouth anymore when I think of him, or what we are to each other. Now, it leaves me feeling…unburdened. Like, evenif this all ends, and he decides not to keep me in his life, I’ll still know I mattered to him.
Though you wouldn’t know it right now. Avery’s been on edge since we left Florida, and no matter how hard I press him for answers, he gives menothing.
No matter what I do. No matter what I say.
I could feel my sisters’ eyes on us while we were on stage presenting the award to Cole. He barely said two words on stage, totally ignoring the lines written out for him on the teleprompter. I had to act fast and remain calm.
Because that night wasn’t about us.
I still have time off before the final leg of the tour, and Avery only has one more night off before he gets back to basketball.
And while last night wasn’t about me and Avery, and what we are…tonight is.
Becausetonight, he’s meeting my family for dinner—and we all have to pretend we’re not strangers who are suddenly desperately in love with each other.
Nobody can throw around a casual ‘Nice to meet you’ or a bright ‘Hi, I’m Olive’s mother, Roxanne.’
Dinner’s at a packed restaurant, which means the second we walk through the door, every eye in the place will be on us.
Can’t wait.
***
"Wow," Avery says, drawing a deep, steady breath, puffing his cheeks before slowly letting the air out. "You look…" He hesitates, then trails off without finishing his compliment. No "beautiful." No "sexy." Not even "you look nice."
His gaze drops to the floor, breaking contact with mine, and I feel the loss deep in my core. I don’tneedhim to compliment me. I don’t need him to tell me I look good. But the fact that he didn’t—the fact that he looked away before he could spit the words out—tells me I’m right.
There’s something wrong, and he’s too damn stubborn to tell me what.
"Avery, come on." I step closer, my heels clacking against the hardwood.
He takes a step back.
"What is it?" I ask. The question lingers longer than I hoped it would.
I want him to just spill it. Open up like it’s the most natural thing in the world. But he doesn’t. He just shakes his head, slides his wedding band onto his finger, then takes my hand.
He fiddles with the jewelry on mine, eyes still down, then brings my palm to his lips and presses a soft, warm kiss there.
"It’s nothing. It’s..nothing." His voice cracks, weak and raspy, sending a chill up my spine.
"I don’t speak in code, Avery.Wedon’t speak in code. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s wrong. I need you to talk to me." I thread my fingers through his, try to pull him toward the couch, but he doesn’t budge.
"When I know, I will tell you. But tonight, let’s just enjoy dinner with your family. We’ll focus on the rest later. Alright?" Those sapphire blues finally meet mine, stealing my breath and sending my heart galloping against my ribs.
I hesitate for a moment before repeating that one, small word.
One I hope is enough to steady us, if only for tonight.
