Page 49 of Insta-Love

EIGHTEEN

Bowen

Trust isn’t a commodity easily bought. Ava’s parents took a solid month to warm up, and Lily took six before Ava and I decided to float the idea of living together with her.

Don’t get me wrong—I formed a bond with that kid from the day I heard her cry for help. But she still had reservations.

And who could blame her. Just like her mother, the dickhead who’d fathered her smashed her faith in men to pieces. It was up to me to show her that not every guy she’ll meet in life will be nothing more than a temporary fixture.

I intend to stay. Always.

“I’ve got to head out to work. Have you two got things under control?”

“Yes, Mum.” Lily stuffs her homework book in her new Avengers backpack.

I lean over top of her to get a kiss from Ava before she leaves. She found work at the new supermarket a few minutes up the road from us, but what makes me damn proud of her is the way she then gets home and takes it upon herself to sit down and talk business with me.

I told her not to worry, when she got a job of her own. But the stubborn woman simply flips me off behind her daughter’s back and insists that we talk shop.

“I’ll see you both before dinner, then.” She smacks a kiss to Ava before snatching up her bag. “Bye, guys.”

“Bye, Mum.”

“See ya, babe.” I turn to Lily once the door shuts. “Straight home, remember? No mucking around after class.”

“Yeah. I know.” She nods with a big smile.

The two of us have been planning this for weeks. Tonight we whisk Ava—and Lily—away for her first holiday. It’s nothing spectacular, simply a few nights on the coast, but it’s the break Ava deserves and needs.

Next month we get her idea off the ground, and once the doors open we’ll be strapped for time.

I did the legwork with my sponsors, but the gym was all Ava’s idea. “You need something to carry you through retirement,” she’d said. “Get a start on it now, while you have the influence.”

So I did.

Even asked her to model the plan for parents who would like to join, but need somebody to watch the kids while they do. Our staffed playroom is what sold the majority of our founding memberships.

A year ago I would have cringed at the thought of having kids underfoot, but now?

Fuck—I met a woman and her kid and they completely changed my priorities to what they should have been all along. But then again, I don’t regret what I did to bring me to this, now.

If I’d chosen a different path, then chances are I would have never had a reason to move here.

I would have never wondered what the crazy little woman next door was doing to her car.

And I would have never had a reason to cross paths with her if Lily hadn’t been playing in the street.

“Come on. We better get going if you’re going to be at school on time.”

“Ready when you are.” Lily lings her backpack on as she heads for the door.

She pulls her board away from where it leans against the wall, and then passes me mine.

Life can be unconventional. It can introduce people to you when you expect them least. But one thing I know for sure as I lock up behind us and get rolling with the most awesome nine year-old I’ve ever met, is that you can’t pick who it is you’re destined to be with.

And these girls?

Fuck it. I was destined to have them both.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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