Page 92 of Accidentally in Love

“What’s wrong?”

“The bar’s packed tonight.”

“Yeah? It’s New Year’s.”

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. “I think I’m gonna stay and help.”

“Okay.”

“Are you mad?”

“No. Why would I be mad? It’s not like I had big plans to go out drinking.”

I laughed. “I know, but I don’t know when I’ll get in.”

“S’okay, baby. I’m probably gonna pass out soon, anyway.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“Hush, yes you do, and I deserve you. Nolan?”

I closed my eyes as I listened to her sweet, melodic voice in my ear. “Yeah, baby?”

“I love you.”

My chest ached at hearing those words from her. I couldn’t believe we had been afraid to tell each other how we felt. I never wanted to fight like we did that day at the cabin. I etched its memory into my brain to remember that I needed to tell her how I felt from time to time. To never let her wonder in the dark if she was my world or not. Because she was. Avery was my light, my life, and my everything.

“I love you too,” I whispered. “I’ll try not to wake you when I come in.”

“Okay, baby,” she said, and then I heard her yawn.

I hung up the phone, and when I looked up, I saw Gemma standing in the doorway with a plate of food. I cocked an eyebrow at her, and she put the plate in front of me.

She put a hand on her hip. “You’re staying, aren’t you?”

I sighed. “Can’t help it. You look swamped.”

She nodded and bit her lip like she wanted to say something else. “Thanks. It’s chaotic out there. Avs said to make sure you ate dinner.”

I furrowed my brow at my sister-in-law. “How? We were just on the phone?”

The younger woman tipped back her dyed pink head and laughed. “Oh, Nolan, you’re cute! Women know how to multitask.”

I took a bite of the sandwich she brought in and muttered thanks. I felt Gemma’s eyes on me and noticed she hadn’t walked away.

“What?” I asked sharply.

She had a mischievous smile on her face. “Did I eavesdrop on you saying those three little words?”

“Since when is my marriage your business?” I grumbled.

She laughed again and took the seat across from me. She stole a fry from off my plate. “Since you knocked up my sister. Did I hear right?”

“Yeah.”

“I heard about the fight.”

I grunted as I chewed my food.