Page 44 of Second Chance Mates

“We’re going into town to get a dress for Ava for the wedding,” she says as she picks up her keys from the counter. “I asked Ava if she wanted to have a girly day out, and she said yes.”

Ava looks at me timidly. “I hope that’s okay.”

“You can do what you want. Enjoy yourselves,” I say before tucking my hand into my trouser pocket and removing my credit card. “Take this.”

Lucy swipes it from my hand. “Wow, you never give me this thing.”

“It’s for Ava.” I shoot her a glare. “Buy whatever you want.”

“Really?” Ava’s cheeks redden.

“Really.”

“Let me grab my jacket,” Lucy excuses herself from the kitchen.

Ava takes a step towards me. “Thank you.”

We stare at each other for a second, and I’d kill for a moment to give her a hug or a small embrace. But I don’t—even though I can see slight hesitation in her eyes. “Bye, Jax.”

A shiver runs down my spine at the nickname. “Bye, Ava. Have fun.”

I walk them both to the front door before offering a wave.

During the three hours Ava is gone, I have security reports sent to my desk, work around my plan to attack Lucien’s pack, and have Kayden lead a hunting session. Three hours. Yet, the house feels cold.

I run a hand down my face in defeat. My wolf howls inside me the second they step through the front door. I stand from my desk and head downstairs to find them walking into the kitchen with a thousand shopping bags.

Oh, boy.

Lucy’s head twists, and she exhales an exasperated sigh. “Good, you’re here.” She grins. “You can take these.”

I walk towards Ava to take the bags from her hands to find red marks across her palms. “I’ll take those.”

Ava’s big eyes sag with relief. “Thank you.”

“Uh. What about me?”

“Am I your housekeeper?”

Lucy rolls her eyes and leaves them at the door to the kitchen.

But my gaze stays firmly on my mate. Her scent is stronger now. The soft smell of vanilla and chestnut hits me right in the sternum. It’s like instant medicine for any ache or pain.

“How was dress shopping?” I ask Ava.

She hums gently, the sound vibrating my ears. “Yeah, it went well. We found a dress.”

“Yeah?”

Lucy’s eyes explode. “She looks absolutely gorgeous in it!”

Ava looks a little overwhelmed with her rosy cheeks and sharpened breath. “Come,” I beckon my head to her as we walk into the kitchen. “Sit.”

She perches on the stool by the counter as I grab her a glass of water. “Thank you,” she says gratefully before taking a couple of large sips.

I watch her intently, and her eyes flick to mine. They move from my face to the counter and back again. “What?”

“Nothing.” I shake my head with a smile. “I’m just glad you’re back.”

---