My heart clenched. I hoped it didn’t mean she was giving up on us. Had I screwed up by not letting her talk the other night? I wanted Avery by my side, even if she wasn’t in her capacity as my attorney. Maybe it was time for me to talk to her. “Did Erin file something?”
“We got her motion contesting guardianship today, indicating she’s the biological mother. Claiming that Declan should be with her.” Her tone was cool and professional, lacking the sympathy that would have been in Avery’s.
“That’s bullshit.”
“That may be, but we have to jump through the hoops. I’ll file a response, but I need you to come in and sign an affidavit outlining her abandonment, confirming she hasn’t had any role in Declan’s life emotionally, physically, or financially.”
“I can do that.”
“Good. Can you come in this morning to review and sign it?”
“Whatever you need.” I wanted to ask how Avery was doing, how I wished she’d told me the news, but it could wait until after I took care of the paperwork for the guardianship case.
We hung up. I stared at the screen for too long willing Avery to call and tell me what I already knew, my life was imploding.
She’d accepted the distance, the parameters I’d set for our relationship. She wasn’t willing to fight for us. I needed to accept that she didn’t love me. Not the way I loved her.
The phone rang again, Avery’s name on my phone sent a jolt through me. “Avery?” My voice was strangled, filled with all of the stress and worry I’d kept out of my conversation with Hadley.
“Hadley told you.”
“She did. I wish you had.”
“Can I come over? Do you have a minute, or do you need to meet with Hadley?”
“I do, but I have a little time before I need to leave.” Some of the tension in my neck and shoulders eased. I wanted to know what she was going to say. I wanted to believe she was struggling with her emotions, not that she didn’t feel anything.
I dropped Declan off at school already, but I needed to shower before she arrived. I couldn’t deny her. I stripped off my clothes, stepping under the steaming water. My declaration took her by surprise. It was too soon for her. I should have been content to wait for her to catch up. I scrubbed my skin, hurrying through my routine. I wanted to see Avery. I needed her by my side while I dealt with this shit Erin was bringing into my life.
I toweled off, pulling on a suit. I needed it for this meeting with Hadley, maybe even for this conversation with Avery. If she was coming over to tell me she didn’t love me and didn’t think she ever could, I’d be devastated.
The bell rang. I slipped on my shoes, checking the clock over the microwave as I walked to the door. I pulled open the door, finding Avery standing there in a suit.
“Are you here as my attorney?” Every muscle in my body tensed for her answer.
“I can’t represent you. I should have handed your case off before we got involved. Administering your estate is one thing, but representing you in a guardianship dispute is another. Even if we never—”
I waited for her to finish her sentence, my mind working overtime to fill in the blanks. “Avery, what were you going to say?”
She cleared her throat.
I liked to think she was overcome with emotion, trying not to cry, but I knew better. That wasn’t Avery.
“Even if we never get back together, I can’t represent you.”
“Why?” The blood pounded in my ears, making it difficult to hear.
“It’s too hard.”
“Why is it too hard, Avery?” I had to know. I needed her to put me out of this misery.
“This isn’t the right time. I was supposed to fix things but not this way.”
“What are you rambling about, Avery? You’re not making any sense.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve never done this before.” She took an audible breath before continuing, “I care about you and Declan.”
This wasn’t a new revelation. I needed more. I needed the three words.
“I screwed up the day you were in my office. I overreacted about the lease and didn’t react when I needed to.” She groaned in frustration. “I thought I was your girlfriend.”
I raised my brow at the word girlfriend. Neither of us had used that term before and I was surprised she was the first. Hope soared in my chest that she was going to say everything I longed to hear.
“Can I come in?”
I stepped back. “Of course.”
Her shoulders relaxed as she let out a breath, stepping past me.
I closed the door softly behind her, crossing my arms over my chest to stop myself from pulling her to me, from demanding answers.
We stood in the foyer, her eyes darting around the room before landing on me. “I’m sorry I wasn’t prepared for what you said the other day. I should have been though.”
“What are you saying?” My heart thudded painfully in my chest as I waited for her to tell me she loved me.
“I should have been prepared because I feel the same way.”
The roaring in my ears makes it impossible to listen to the rest of her speech. Her words were background. All I could think about was she’d said she felt the same way. Was she saying she loved me too?
“I’ve had a lot of time to think the last few days. I’ve never been in love before. I wasn’t sure what it felt like. I knew I was attracted to you, I liked you. I knew I loved Declan. That was easy.” A soft smile ghosted her lips.
My arms fell to my sides, my fingers twitching to grab her, but I held my breath, waiting.
Her eyes met mine, filled with emotion, swimming with tears. “I do love you. I just didn’t understand what I was feeling. You might not believe me. It might be too late, but I had to tell you you’re not alone.”
You’re not alone. Who knew that there were more important words in this universe than I love you.
“I can go through life pretending that people around me don’t matter, not letting them in, not giving them a chance to walk away or hurt me, or I can hold on with both hands.”
I had to be sure. “Are you saying—”
“I want you, Griffin Locke. I want to be by your side. I want to be there for you and for Declan. These last few days, not knowing if I’d see you again were torture. I love you. I don’t know what I’ll do if you don’t love me anymore.” She squared her shoulders, lifting her eyes to mine.
I give in to the desire surging through me. My hand circles her wrist, tugging her into my body, tucking her head against my chest. “I love you.” I breathe into her hair. A sigh of relief went through her body as she sagged deeper into my embrace.
Tears soaked my shirt, but I didn’t care. Avery was in my arms, declaring her love for me. It meant more than anything else I’d ever heard because I knew how hard it was for her to acknowledge it.
I smoothed her hair, kissing the top of her head. “My brave girl.”
She tilted her head back to meet my eyes. “Are we okay?”
“I never stopped loving you. I thought I pushed you too hard, asked for too much too soon. I took a step back, hoping you’d come to me. I wanted you to fight for me, for us.” I tucked her hair behind her ear.