Page 60 of His Greatest Treasure

“No!”

“Do you want to?”

“Can I? Mom, can I?” she asks, gripping my arms tight while batting her lashes. “Please?”

Her excitement has me turning to Oliver, my heart thumping in my ears at what a day spent together with all three of us could mean.

Something that we have to talk about soon. Before the feelings I’m growing for him become any more overwhelming.

“Is that allowed?” I ask him, tone cautious and heavy with a double meaning.

“It’s encouraged.”

For now, that has to be enough.

I rub Nova’s back. “How about you get changed out of your PJs, and I’ll braid your hair for you before we have breakfast. I’ll even do that fancy inside-out one you like.”

“This is awesome! I’ll be right back!”

I watch her run toward her bedroom and focus on Oliver, wishing he wasn’t so far away.Another dangerous thought.

“Are you sure about this?” I ask, needing to be sure.

He moves toward me with confidence, returning to the spot he was in before Nova joined us. There’s no face touching this time, just a strong, male hand taking my smaller, feminine one and holding it between us.

“She’ll have fun. But if you’d rather me not be around right now, just tell me, and I’ll go. It’s completely up to you.”

“I don’t want you to go.”

“We’ll finish that conversation from earlier once you’re ready. Nova’s the priority.”

He’s saying all the right things. Every single word I wished Chris would say just once the entire time we were together and now, years later. It feels too good to be true, and I’m pessimistic enough lately to believe it.

It’s a flaw that I’ve struggled with for most of my life, but I’ve never been more frustrated with it than I am right now.

“Okay,” I agree.

His brows tug inward, but he doesn’t say anything else. We both clearly have problems and things we wish we knew how to express but don’t.

It’s going to be a battle to get to where I’m growing to want to be, but I also have a feeling that he might be worth the effort.

21

OLIVER

I’ve never invitedanyone to the firehouse. Not my parents, my friends, or cousins. I’m positive there’s a rule written somewhere that once you bring someone here, there’s no going back from it.

My squad is my second family. The trust and friendship we’ve built over the past seven years together is as strong as steel. They trust me to have their backs, and I trust them to do the same. We’re bound in blood, sweat, and tears.

The moment I introduce my squad to Avery and Nova, they’re as good as mine. The two of them will be welcomed into our family with open arms with no take backs allowed.

I know all of that, and I’ve made peace with it.

Today will be a test of sorts since my squad is on days off like I am, and my girls will be meeting the second unit instead. Better to dip their toe in and test the water before I throw them in headfirst without life jackets.

While I may not be the warm and fuzzy guy, I know my emotions well enough to tell when I’m interested in someone. And fuck, what I’m feeling toward Avery isn’t simply interest. It’s something gentle hidden beneath rough words and quiet involume but loud in action. If there’s a word to describe all that somewhere, it isn’t in my vocabulary just yet.

I’m borderline obsessed with the idea of taking care of her.Of both of them. They don’t need me, but I want to prove to them that they can. There’s something fulfilling about making sure Avery eats a real meal and gets a full night’s sleep, even if I’m not offered the spot beside her that I hope could one day be mine. The toothy grins that Nova flashes every time I do something to make her happy—whether it’s buying a pool floatie shaped like a frog or sneaking her extra sprinkles for her pancakes after her mom’s turned away—make my heart soar so fiercely I’m surprised it hasn’t flown away.

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