Page 27 of Pretty Relentless

“Ten…nine…eight…”

I take a step toward her, hearing her sharp inhale of breath at my nearness. If I sense any uneasiness from her, I’ll back off instantly. Instead, something flashes in her eyes. Something that looks a lot like excitement.

“Seven…six…five…”

“What do you say, Miss Rutledge? Ring in the new year with some good luck?” I ask.

“Four…three…”

Her eyes widen as the countdown is complete.

“Two…one…Happy New Year!”

Her tongue slips out and wets her lips just as she gives the slightest nod, but as much as I want to kiss this woman, I don’t want it to be for this reason, surrounded by friends who may or may not be playing matchmaker.

Leaning in, I catch the subtle scent of her perfume as I press my lips to her cheek, letting them linger a few extra seconds longer than I should. “Happy New Year, Ava.”

Her eyes are closed and her mouth slightly puckered. It takes every ounce of control I can muster to not say fuck it and kiss the hell out of her, but again, the first time I truly kiss her isn’t going to be here, surrounded by friends.

I feel her shiver as her eyes slowly open. There’s a hint of sadness and shock mixed in the depths of those brown eyes, and I can’t help but feel happy. Not to see the dejection, but simply because it’s confirmation she wanted me to kiss her.

And I will.

“Happy New Year, Gavin,” she whispers, clearing her throat and straightening her spine.

Refusing to step back, I hold her gaze as I say, “I just made a New Year’s wish. Do you want to hear it?”

She seems a little taken aback by my question, but eventually nods. “I’m going to kiss you, Ava Rutledge. For real. Without everyone else watching us or because it’s expected at the stroke of midnight. I’m going to kiss you when the time is right for both of us, when you’re ready. But know it’s coming, beautiful, and when I kiss you, it’ll be just the beginning.”

“Toast!”

Ava startles as Hallie hollers for everyone’s attention.

I slowly turn, still holding my drink and preparing to face friends. Of course, as expected, several are wearing a knowing smirk, but I’m going to assume they think I kissed her. And I did—just not in the way they’re hoping.

Soon, though.

Our time will come.

“All right, I guess I was roped in to the toast,” Gabe announces. “Everyone, raise your glass. To the new year. To family and friends,” he starts, giving us all a smile. “To expanding families,” he says, glancing down to his new wife, whose left hand is resting on her baby belly. “And to falling in love,” he adds, making my heart rate kick up a few extra beats. Not because I’m in love, but because I find myself open to the idea for the first time since my divorce. Maybe it’s this crazy schoolboy crush I find myself having once more over the woman standing beside me, or maybe it’s the fact I’m surrounded by couples who have found their love over the last couple of years. Whatever it is, I won’t ignore the hope bubbling in my chest.

Maybe thisismy year.

“To good health and lots of laughter. May you all find what you’re looking for this year, whatever that may be.”

“Cheers!” everyone hollers, holding up those plastic glasses and tapping those around us.

Since it’s just me and Ava, I tap her glass with my own and say, “To finding happiness.”

Her brown eyes hold my gaze, and everyone else in the room fades away. “Happiness,” she murmurs before lightly tapping my glass and taking a drink.

The moment is shattered when Blair, Hallie, and Ellie all appear in our little bubble to tap glasses with Ava, and I take a step back, letting them have their time. But my mind is still on our shared moment, on the kiss that didn’t happen and the fact we both wanted it to. I’m an incredibly patient man, and if I have to take this slow and steady to prove to her we’re worth taking the risk—worth breaking every one of her damn rules—then that’s what I’ll do.

I told her I was relentless, and it’s time to prove it.

I knock on the door and wait for Annabelle. It’s a bit warmer today, the sun shining high in the first day of the new year sky. My mind replays everything from last night, as it’s done over and over again since I got home. I’ve thought of nothing but Ava, and the fact I get to work at her house tomorrow morning has me all sorts of excited. I’ll start by removing the old porch roof and reinspecting the braces and roof. I’ll get the window ordered and the rest of the pricing she needs for her quote, andthen hopefully completing the job. A part of me is keeping my fingers crossed she’ll hire me to redo the entire roof so I get more time with her, but I’m not holding my breath. I know it’s a costly project, and when you’re not expecting those costs, it can be hard to pull the trigger.

When no one comes to the door, I knock a second time. It takes a few long seconds but finally the door opens. “Hey, sorry,” Julia says, clearly having just got out of the shower. She’s wearing a robe, her hair wet and dripping on the floor. “Come in.”

---