When Ava pulled up to Brent’s building site, he was sitting on the hood of his car staring at the view. He didn’t even turn around.
Ava crept up beside him and sat down on the hood. “It sure is pretty out here.”
Brent turned, looking startled. “I didn’t expect you.”
“I know.”
“How’d you know I’d be here?”
Being so close to him after wondering whether she would ever see him again made it difficult to remember the speech she’d rehearsed on the way over. “Jasmine came to see me. She told me y’all had a meeting.”
“Does that mean she’s not coming?” Brent glanced at the lake when a fish jumped out of the water and made a small splash as it disappeared beneath the surface.
“No. Are you disappointed?”
“I’m anxious to get started on the house, but no, I’m not disappointed you showed up instead.”
He was keeping his cards close to his vest, and Ava found reading his melancholy mood difficult. If he was happy or relieved to see her, he was keeping it to himself. “How’s your father?”
“Better, thanks.”
She looked at the wood posts in the ground. “It looks like they’ve started to stake the site.”
“Yeah, Tucker and his crew should be ready to break ground next week.”
“It didn’t take long to get the permits.” Ava hated wasting time making small talk when their future was at stake.
“It’s amazing how quickly things can happen when you have money.” He sighed. “Why are you here, Ava? I know it’s not to talk about my building project.”
“I’ve missed you.” That wasn’t easy to admit, especially when he hadn’t given her any indication he felt the same way.
“I’ve missed you too.”
She glanced at him. “Have you really?”
He nodded. “Sitting around doing nothing isn’t my style, but I realized I can’t make you love me.”
“No, you can’t.” She set her hand on his thigh, and he looked at it before turning his attention to her face. “You can’t make me love you any more than you can stop me from loving you.”
His eyes searched her face. “Are you saying… that you still love me?”
“That depends.”
“On what?” He grabbed her hand, holding it tight.
“On whether you trust me, whether you believe I’m never going to leave you. If I choose you, it’s forever. I don’t ever want you to question that.” She loved him with her whole heart, but she couldn’t risk her future on a volatile man who didn’t trust her.
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it twice before he cast another glance at the water. “I went to see my mother today. I had a talk with her and my brother and stepfather. I think I have a better understanding of why she left.”
“Does that mean you’re giving up your vendetta?” Ava didn’t want to belittle his feelings, but she couldn’t imagine spending her life with a man consumed with hatred.
“Yeah, I’ve extended the olive branch, offered to help them get their business on the right course.”
Ava slipped her arm around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“I’ve changed a lot over the last couple of months, Ava, because of you.”
Ava’s heart swelled. That complex man loved her enough to face his demons so they could build a life together. “How so?”
“When I met you, I was all about making money and taking my pound of flesh. I’ve realized that’s not what matters anymore.”
“What matters now?” She knew what she wanted him to say.
“You… and my family. The family we could have together someday.”
Emotion clogged Ava’s throat, rendering her speechless. She loved him so much, she didn’t even know how to express it with words.
Brent palmed her face. “Tell me you want that too.” He kissed her, deepening it when she responded. “Tell me you can imagine living here with me. Make my dream home complete, baby, please.”
“Your dream is my dream.” She smiled when his eyes reflected with the same emotions she knew were in her eyes: hope, happiness, disbelief that they’d finally found the love of their lives in a relationship that started with a silly crush. He had been her first lover, and he would be her last.
Brent slid off the hood to stand in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her waist as he helped her to the ground. ““Come on, let me show you around our new house.” He grinned. “But you’ll have to use your imagination.”
About the Author
To learn more about this author or other books in the Nashville Nights or Next Generation series, visit www.cheryldouglasbooks.com
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Coming Soon
Two New Nashville Nights Short Story Collections
Breathless
Imagine
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
About the Author
Coming Soon
Blown Away (Next Generation 8) Page 20