The moment we walk through the door, Ian spots us and makes a beeline right for my woman with a big smile on his face. My eyes narrow because I swear this 13-year-old kid is trying to steal her from me. I’m going to need to get my ring on her finger soon. Very fucking soon.
“Hi, Avery,” Ian chirps.
She pulls him into a hug, her voice bright, “Happy Birthday, Ian. How does it feel to be a teenager now?”
He shrugs one shoulder. “It’s alright, I guess.” I swear he purposefully makes his voice drop an octave lower than normal.
Avery must notice because she bites her lip to hide her smile.
“I haven’t seen you since the Halloween party,” he complains.
His words make me think about the party the Banks family threw not long ago. They always go all out when it comes to Halloween and this year’s theme was Hocus Pocus. Thankfully, my woman didn’t make me put on some wild costume.
While I won’t admit it to many people, it was the most fun I’ve had in a long damn time, certainly the best time I’ve had at one of their Halloween parties. And it’s all because of my woman.
She makes everything better.
The only thing missing from the Halloween party was Carson. She moved home at the beginning of the month, and we miss her. Not having her at Vibrant Ink has left us a little down, but from the updates we’ve gotten, she’s right where she’s supposed to be.
Carson was even quieter right before she packed it all up and headed back to Montana, which has us worried about her. She says she was missing home and all the changes going on with her family, but I have a feeling there was more to it than that.
Maybe one day we’ll get the full story.
I focus back on Avery as Tenley walks up with Kessler balanced on her hip. She hugs me before wrapping my woman up in her arms.
“How’s the new job going?” Tenley asks, her voice curious.
“It’s amazing,” Avery gushes, “but it’s not really a job.”
Tenley arches an eyebrow and challenges her, “Are you putting in work?” When Avery nods, Tenley waves her hand, “Then it’s a job. Being paid, or not, doesn’t matter in this situation because you’re doing something so incredibly important.”
While I’m damn proud of Avery helping women who need it, it puts me on edge since she’s around women connected to men who are abusive and violent. It would only take one of them to find out where the shelter is for everything to go wrong. The only solace I have is knowing the Higgins Security guys have ensured the shelter is as safe as it can be.
“Speaking of the shelter,” Avery starts, “I heard someone talking about how art classes would help some of the kids there as a form of art therapy, without the pressure of the therapy part.”
Knox reaches our little group just as my woman finishes speaking. “I’d be more than willing to come down and help,” he offers.
The smile my woman gives him, big and bright, has my eyes narrowing at him. When he smirks at me, the only thing stopping me from punching him is Ian standing with us still. I’m sure Knox can read the threat written all over my face because the asshole winks at me.
“That would be amazing, Knox,” Avery praises him, and his chest puffs up like a damn peacock. “I’ll get some details and let you know.”
“Whatever you need,” he promises and kisses her cheek.
I don’t even try to stop the growl from rumbling in my chest. Avery shoots me a look. Before she can admonish me, I lean down and kiss her soundly.
By the time I pull back, she’s clinging to my shoulders and Ian is scowling at me. Job well done as far as I’m concerned.
“There are kids here,” Tenley teases me.
I make a humming sound and eye Ian. Avery giggles and kisses my cheek as if it’s enough to calm me down. Damn it if she’s not right too.
“Are you and little heart hungry, Sweetheart?”
Her eyes go soft, just like they always do when I use my nickname for our little girl. I love it when she looks at me like that. The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I hold them back.
For now.
I know I won’t be able to keep my feelings to myself for much longer. I’m pretty sure she feels the same way about me, but the fear that she doesn’t keeps me quiet.
