Page 36 of Second Chance Mates

“Where’s Ava?” I ask as I push open the back door.

“She’s with Gemma.” She offers me a small smile. “She’s been having a lot of sessions with her.”

My brows rise. “I know.”

“Do you know how they’re going?”

“No.” I cup my elbows. “I don’t want to push her. I’m letting her come to me.”

Lucy nods and attends to her gardening again. “And how’s that going for you?”

“She held my hand on her own accord the other day,” I admit. “That was a big step for her.”

“Good for her.” She flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder, and I catch the smile she’s sporting. “She’s slowly finding her feet.”

I hum softly before leaving her to the plants. I find myself wandering around the perimeter of our house, checking in on our security guards and those who are on territory watch. Everything seems in check.

Since I met Ava, I stepped up security within our land. I’m not taking any chances. I want this place to be her sanctuary.

When I return, I find Ava making herself a drink in the kitchen. I knock on the door so I don’t startle her, but she turns unphased. “I knew you were there.”

“You did?” I raise my brows and lean on the counter beside her.

She stirs her tea and nods. “Whenever you’re around, the hairs on my arms stand without me even seeing you. I’ve got used to it now.”

That proves the bond is strengthening—and not just on my part.

“How was your session with Gemma?” I ask curiously.

She turns towards me with cautious eyes. “Yeah, it was fine.”

“Only fine?”

“As fine as therapy can be,” Ava says quietly. “W-we’re trying to figure out my past.”

I pause for a moment and take her in. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“How was it?”

“Unsuccessful.”

The frown that covers her face is adorable and hurts my heart at the same time. “It’s okay,” I reassure her. “There will be other chances for you guys to talk and figure things out in your own time.”

Ava sighs softly and looks away, pulling her teaspoon out of her mug and leaving it on the side. The clean freak inside me tightens, but I don’t want to disrupt this conversation. Instead, I take the spoon and silently place it in the dishwasher.

“I guess. It’s frustrating because I want to remember, but everything's so blurry, and I can’t concentrate on a single detail.”

“You’ll get there eventually. I know it,” I say with a smile.

She nods but doesn’t respond. Lucy and Sebastian enter the kitchen a few moments later. “Guys, I had the best idea ever!”

“What’s that?” I ask over my shoulder.

“The sun is shining, and the weather is gorgeous. We should totally head down to the lake and take a swim, enjoy the sun, and eat some late lunch. What do you guys think?” Lucy’s expression glows.

“Don’t you have lessons with the witches today?” I quirk a brow.

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