It was a pendant on a chain.
My heart began beating so fast as I lifted it out of the box.
“It’s—” His voice grew thick. “It’s a single dandelion wish. A seed. And they preserved it in the glass. I found it online when I wanted to get you something special.” He moved in close again, so close I could feel his heat. I was still staring at the dandelion as his forehead slowly lowered to rest on mine. His hands went to my arms and his thumbs began rubbing over me, soft, tender. “The store’s website said it’s to be a token. To remind you to always keep working toward your wishes and your dreams. And I got it for you because you’re my wish.”
I lifted my gaze to his and saw how he was staring at the pendant in my hand.
He added, his voice hoarse, “I said it before, but I wanted my person when I was growing up. I just never had that person… until you. You’re my person, Ava. My wish. My dream. No one else was it because it was always you. I love you.” His eyes went to mine, and my heart melted at the vulnerable look on his face.
“Zeke,” I whispered, reaching up and cradling his face. “You’re mine too.”
So much love pounded through my whole body. It heated up my chest, sent my blood coursing, and I was going on another memory binge because this wasn’t the first time that Zeke had done something nice like this for me, and I knew it wouldn’t be the last. Simple things like bringing me food at the stables. Making coffee for me in the morning. He was always kind and thoughtful, and the complete opposite of what he used to be known as.
We had a monthly bingo night with my mom and Sophie now, and he always liked to get Logan to join if he was in town. Blaise FaceTimed in to play his own card a few times when it worked with his schedule. And Zeke tended to need sugar when he did stocks so I always made sure to bring home his favorite: gummy bears. And he liked doing couple massages and going to the spa. He also enjoyed going to sporting events, so for his birthday, he was going to get tickets to the Arizona Javalina, Mason Kade’s football team, and the Kansas City Mustangs.
“And I’m pre-proposing to you now.”
“What?”
His face was solemn. “We’ve not hit a year yet. I know you’re the cautious type, and moving in with me was a big deal for you. I know that so I’m respecting that, but just so you know, I’d marry you tomorrow if you said you wanted it.”
I took a step back. “What?” My stomach was now in my chest. “What are you saying?”
He was studying me, his eyes widening. “Oh–I didn’t mean it to scare you. I’m trying–fuck it. I’m trying to be thoughtful. I know girls like these things.” He held up the jewelry box. “So if you were hoping this was an engagement ring, and then you found it wasn’t, I’m trying to cover all my bases here. I didn’t think you’d want me to propose so soon, so I’m pre-proposing… if that makes sense?”
I couldn’t breathe. Not for a second, but I managed to choke out, “It makes no sense.”
His face fell. “Oh.”
I continued to whisper. “You’d marry me tomorrow?”
His eyes held mine. “After our first fight, I told you I wished to kiss you for the rest of my life. I would’ve married you that day. The day after. Today. Tomorrow. I’ll marry you any day you want, and all the days after. You say it–”
“Yes.”
My heart skipped a beat.
He frowned a little. “What?”
Was I doing this? Yes. I knew it so assuredly, so strongly. I never knew anything with more certainty. “I want to marry you too.”
His eyebrows shot up. “I–when? Where?”
“Now. Here. I don’t care. Vegas.”
“Are you serious?”
I jerked my head in a nod. “I’m serious.”
He came in, his hands cupping my face. “I don’t think I’ve ever loved you more than right now. I mean, I’ll love you more tomorrow because it’s growing every day, but I love you. A lot, a lot. Right now. I–”
“Zeke.”
“What?”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
His mouth found mine, and the earth moved, and we kept kissing.
We flew to Vegas the next day, after I got time off from both my jobs, but we also had another ceremony the next summer in Fallen Crest. Blaise was Zeke’s best man. My mother was my matron of honor. We had a large party at Manny’s, then another at our house, and yet another at Fallen Crest Country Club. (Zeke knew the board members.) His family was there. Sophie was also there, and she had her own ring by then as well.
A certain cardboard cutout also made the bridal party. I’m not going to say which one.
There was a bachelorette party thrown for me by Heather, Tasmin, Aspen, Bren, Taylor, Samantha, Quincey, and so many others. Zeke had his own party too, and yes, Mason Kade showed up for it. Zeke was over the moon, but I knew the main two guys he really wanted there were his father and Blaise. My other bosses from the horse stable also threw a party for me, and they had a different group of friends celebrating us, but I knew them and loved them as well. All in all, it was a whole party extravaganza and so much not me, but it was me now.
It was me because besides loving Zeke, I’d let so many others in and this was what it was like to find your happily ever after. It wasn’t just the guy. It was yourself. It was accepting and welcoming love, and I was glowing.
And three months later I had another reason to glow.
I was pregnant. I was half considering ordering a baby cardboard cutout to give to Zeke when I told him.
* * *
I hope you enjoyed Aveke!
If you did, please leave a review.
They truly help so much.
For more stories, go to www.tijansbooks.com
* * *
Read Blaise and Aspen’s book here.
Read Bren and Cross’s book here.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wrote the first 10k of this book as a short story for an anthology. Then, later on, I expanded the rest so it’s actually a very large novella. Because of that, I want to thank Zeke and Ava both for helping me write their stories. I knew bits and pieces of both as I wrote the Crew series, The Boy I Grew Up, and Rich Prick, but sometimes the characters don’t really show me their lives until I write their stories. And having written Aveke, I love love love both Zeke and Ava. There’s such a quiet courage and humbleness to Ava, and Zeke, I just love how he doesn’t care how he comes across. He’s true first and foremost to those he love.
Thank you to my readers because you guys have really helped me with so much support. Thank you to Crystal, Amy. Serena. Tami. Eileen. Kay! To everyone who proofread this one. I really and truly appreciate all the help you give me.
And as always, thank you to my Bailey. I love that little guy so much.
RICH PRICK
1
Everyone knew who Blaise DeVroe was.
It didn’t matter that he’d come to Fallen Crest Academy late in the year—and FCA was not a school you showed up late to.