Page 62 of Wild Heart
In a move she wasn’t expecting, a move I hadn’t anticipated making, I lifted my gaze to her, stepped forward, and tugged her toward me. Her chest collided with mine as my arms immediately wrapped around her body.
I held on to her like I was afraid she’d vanish if I let her go. And when I felt her arms circle my waist, my throat became clogged with emotions.
Continuing to hold on to her, I made a silent promise to myself not to screw this up, to give this woman everything I should have given her years ago.
“Thank you, Ava,” I said, my voice hoarse.
“For what?”
“For giving me the chance to fix my mistakes. I know there’s some work ahead of me, but I’m ready for it. And I know you’re scared. I hate that. I wish I could change it. All I can do is make a promise to you that I’m never going to break your heart again. And I hope, one day soon, you can believe that.”
Ava loosened her hold on me. Even though I hadn’t wanted to let her go, I had no choice. She remained close, looked up at me with the sweetest eyes, and said, “I’m glad we talked, Tate.”
I smiled at her. “Yeah. Me, too.”
“Merry Christmas.”
My grin grew. “Merry Christmas, Ava.”
I could have stayed outside with her for the rest of the day, but when a shiver from the biting cold ran through her, I jerked my head toward the door, turning my body to the side, and lifting my arm to her back to urge her inside ahead of me.
If I received not one gift throughout the day, I wouldn’t have cared.
Ava’s willingness to start over and get back on track with me was all that mattered.
17
AVA
“Pink or blue?”
Jules pointed her happy stare at her teammate, Marco, and waited for his response.
“What are the categories again?” he countered.
“Pink is entertainment. Blue is geography.”
Marco shrugged. “They could be equally good or bad. I’m fine with whatever you decide.”
Jules beamed at him, slid their piece across the spaces, and said, “We’ll take pink.”
Rhea read their question. “What actor played the role of Dawson on the TV showDawson’s Creek?
I shook my head, a smile playing at my lips. Jules was grinning like an idiot, and judging by the look on Marco’s face, I wasn’t sure he even knew thatDawson’s Creekwas a thing.
Puffing up her chest with pride, Jules proudly declared, “James Van Der Beek.”
Rhea gave her a nod of affirmation. “Grab yourself a pink pie wedge.”
As Jules reached for the pie wedge, Cooper muttered, “Wow, Marco. I’m surprised you didn’t beat Jules to the punch on that one. Aren’t you a fan ofDawson’s Creek?”
Marco laughed. “I’ve never heard of it.”
Jules twisted in her seat, high-fived Marco, and reasoned, “That’s why you’re lucky to have me on your team.” Her eyes cut to Cooper’s. “And don’t give him shit about not knowing. I’m convinced you would have never gotten that one right.”
Wyatt had decided he was getting in on the fun. “I think the better question is, how did you even know who the actor was, Jules?”
She cocked an eyebrow. “James Van Der Beek? Are you kidding me, Wyatt? I can’t even justify that question with an answer.”