Page 71 of Why Not Now?

He glances at me before returning his attention to the road.

“I do.”

“What does that mean, exactly?”

“I heard what you were talking to Adalie about. The lounge is right across from my office.” He takes a breath. “I’ve never been in a relationship with anyone but you.” He stops at a red light and looks at me. “I want us to be together. I’m yours. You’re mine. No one else.”

“Boyfriend and girlfriend?” I ask.

“Those titles feel a little too small for what I want. But I guess for now, they’re all we have.”

I take one of his hands, squeezing it, wishing we weren’t driving so I could kiss him properly. I kiss the back of his hand instead.

“I think they’re perfect.”

Chapter 22

Derek

Istopatmyhouse to feed Abyss, who looks very disgruntled that I’m leaving her. I pet her a few times and promise to be back later. Though while I’m saying it, I consider the fact that when Ava gets her new car, I’ll be able to spend the night at her place. I could leave from there to go to work. She can’t stay over here because of Lacey, though I do have the daybed in my office if Lacey wanted to stay over, too. Maybe on nights when we go out together. Not school nights obviously. On those nights, if I want to be with Ava, I’ll have to stay with her.

“Slow down, Derek,” I tell myself. “You’re moving way too fast.”

We’ve just gotten back together. I haven’t told her about my part in paying for her car yet. She’s going to be pissed, but when I explain how Carter said it was unlikely he’d be able to find a better deal, she’ll understand. If Ava cares that much, she can pay me back, though I don’t intend to ask her to.

Even I know how ridiculous those excuses sound.

I return to the car where Ava waits. I’d told her if she came inside, we wouldn’t be leaving for at least another hour. She’s still listening to Christmas music and I smile, knowing my plan to make her love Christmas again is working. Everything is going to work out. I open my mouth to tell her about the car, because it’ll be fine.

Then she takes my hand and links our fingers and I close my mouth. It’s not the right time. Everything is so new and fresh. We’re not ready for me to destabilize the foundation we’re forming.

We drive without speaking, Christmas music filling the silence with sweet and cheerful lyrics.

I stop in front of her house and tell Ava to wait, texting Lacey who comes outside with a huge grin on her face.

“Ready for this?” I ask when she gets in the car.

“Yep! Ava doesn’t know, right?” she asks, doing up her seatbelt.

“I’m right here,” Ava grumbles.

“She has no idea,” I say.

I drive us to a local tree lot. We get out and Ava shakes her head. “A real tree is expensive and unnecessary. We have an artificial one.”

“I’m buying it,” I tell her. “Lacey told me about your artificial tree. But I also remember going with you and your mom and dad to pick out your real tree. You were so excited and had to pick out the exact right one. You told Lacey all the reasons it was perfect. Ace and I haven’t picked out a tree in nine years. So, show us how it’s done, sweetheart.”

Ava looks at me skeptically while Lacey waits, hands clasped in front of her, pleading silently.

She still looks stern when she says, “The first thing you need to think about is the height. They can’t be too tall or too short.”

Lacey squeals and hugs her sister. “Oh, Ava. We’re going to have so much fun. I already got all the decorations and the tree stand out of storage. This’ll be great.”

Ava sighs. “Come on. Let’s go get one.”

She leads us into the lot and flinches when she sees the prices. Lacey starts looking, but Ava turns to me. “I can’t let you spend that much on something that’s only going to be in the house for a few weeks.”

“Don’t check the prices. Please let me do this for you and Lacey.”

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