“Yes,” I whispered. “We can try.”
He didn’t wait. He crashed his lips to mine, kissing me with a desperation that told me he meant every word. It wasn’t happy-ever-after. Not yet. We had a lot to figure out and trust to rebuild, but as his arms wrapped around me, holding me tight against the chilly night air, one thing was certain.
We were no longer holding back.
Cole
“Daddy!” Maisie launched herself in the air and I caught her, swinging her around until she erupted into giggles.
Ava stood on the porch, watching us with a smile. We’d told Maisie shortly after the wedding who I was. She’d pulled back a little at first, asking where I’d been. That broke my heart. Ava had explained that I didn’t know about Maisie—giving me far more grace than I deserved—but that as soon as I found out, I wanted nothing more than to be in her life. Two weeks later, Maisie called me daddy, and I cried.
I spent the first month finishing up projects I was in the middle of and preparing to move. But every weekend I drove into the city and visited my girls. And every time I showed up, I could practically see the trust building between us.
Then I told Ava I was ready to start packing to make the move. I’d found an apartment near them and would sign the papers that day. I swore my heart stopped beating for a second when she shook her head.
“Maisie’s been talking almost non-stop about Cedar Hollow since we got back. She loves it there.” Ava met my gaze, eyes serious. “My job said I can work remotely.”
“You want to move to Cedar Hollow?” My heart started again, racing now as I struggled to catch up.
“When I imagine our future, I don’t see us in the city. I see us in your cabin.” She bit her lower lip. “I’m not saying I’m ready for that yet. But it doesn’t make sense for you to move here. Maisie and I can get a place in town before school starts.”
“You can have the cabin.” I shook my head when she protested. “There’s a small bachelor’s apartment over my workshop. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s enough for me. And I’ll be close enough to help if you need anything.”
Five months later, and we’d settled into an almost domestic bliss. We often ate supper as a family and spent the evenings together. After Maisie went to bed, Ava and I would sit on the porch and talk for hours. And kiss.
I wasn't interested in dating her anymore. Dating was for people figuring out if they fit. We fit. I was just waiting for her to realize I wasn't going anywhere in the morning. Because the next time Ava and I made love, it would mean forever.
“Time for supper, kiddo.” I flipped Maisie upside down and carried her up the steps as she giggled. I leaned down and brushed a kiss across Ava’s lips when I reached her. “Missed you today.”
“I had some errands to run in town.” She tickled Maisie’s belly, and our daughter’s giggles turned to shrieked laughter. “Ended up working at the coffee shop for a few hours.”
“Wi-Fi in the cabin glitching again?” I frowned. The town had been extending services up the mountain, but sometimes the connection wasn’t great.
“A little. I had a report due today and didn’t want to take a chance, just in case it cut out.” She shrugged. “Besides, I got to visit with Hazel.”
Hazel ran the coffee shop in town, and the two had become fast friends since Ava moved here.
I flipped Maisie upright again and lowered her to the floor. She grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the table. “We’re having pizza, Daddy.”
I grinned. “My favorite.”
Over dinner, Maisie regaled us with her adventures from school that day. My eyes narrowed a little when she mentioned the same boy for the fourth time. Ava nudged me under the table with her foot, whispering when I looked her way, “She’s in kindergarten. Relax.”
We finished dinner, and I helped Ava clean up before we moved into the living room to play a game with Maisie. I wanted to check the rules a few times because I suspected our daughter was making some up, but Ava just laughed at me and hid the instructions.
When Maisie was tucked into bed, Ava sent me to sit on the porch and said, “I’ll be out in a minute.”
I leaned against the railing and stared up at the stars, wondering when Ava would give me the sign I needed to take the next step. It felt like we were already a family, but we had yet to make it official. I desperately wanted to make it official. I wanted to wake up under the same roof as Ava and Maisie. I wanted them to have my last name and for Ava to wear my ring.
I patted my pocket, confirming the ring I’d bought months ago was still there. I carried it always, waiting for the right moment.
“Cole?”
I glanced over my shoulder, jaw dropping as I took in Ava wearing something short and silky. It clung to her curves, and my gaze drank her in. “Ava?”
She licked her lips, her fingers twisting in the nightgown’s fabric. “I picked this up today. Do you like it?”
I nodded, swallowing hard. “I do.”
