Page 83 of His Greatest Treasure

“You know, I think I actually might remember him talking about braiding his hair,” she says with a soft laugh. “Well, knock yourself out, then. I’ve got to grab Nova’s bag and make sure she actually packed it properly before we go.”

“Before you do that,” I mutter, resting my hand on her hip.She inhales and waits with parted lips for my next words. “I wanted to ask if you’d go to dinner with me this weekend. Just us.”

“Like a date?”

I lean down, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s a little overdue, but yes, a date.”

Her pulse flutters, and I don’t bother hiding my smile, knowing that I affect her the way she does me. Our eyes hold, neither of us wanting to be the one to look away. A small smile toys with her mouth, and my fingers itch to reach up and touch it.

“I need to find someone to watch Nova, but if I can, then I’d love to go on a date with you.”

“You have at least six people who would offer to take her off your hands for one night.”

“This all feels very high school, you know? I haven’t been asked on a date in years,” she admits.

I stand a bit taller. “Good. I don’t like competition.”

Her laugh comes out her nose. “Addie made this big deal about you being the grumpiest guy in the Bateman family, but I think you’ve been putting on a show for everyone. Am I right,butternalle?”

“Tell me what that name means, and I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

She blows a raspberry and slips beneath my arm, escaping my hold. “Nope. Not yet.”

“I’ll get it out of you, Avery.”

“Try harder, then.”

“Brat,” I grunt at the same time Nova comes back into the kitchen with an overflowing basket of hair accessories in her arms.

“Got them!” she shouts, grabbing a seat at the table.

Avery stares at me while addressing Nova, as if she’s giving me a chance to change my mind. “Oliver’s going to braid your hair for dance. Be nice to him in case he’s been lying about his braiding skills.”

Nova starts taking everything out of the basket and asks, “Really? Awesome.”

I don’t take back my offer. If I hadn’t wanted to make it, I wouldn’t have. Spending more time with Nova while proving to her mom that she can start to lean on me for things sounds like the perfect way to spend the next few minutes.

Once I’ve got myself and Nova situated at the table, Avery leaves us. Nova’s fidgety on the chair I’ve shifted in front of me, her head tilting side to side every few seconds and legs swinging. She’s nervous, and all I want to do is soothe her.

“Do you remember meeting my brother, Jamie, at Aunt Ava’s house?”

She hums. “The guy with long, messy hair?”

“Yes. He also has a pretty big scar on his forehead.”

“Yes! It’s gross.”

I snort a laugh and finish parting her hair straight down the middle. “Don’t tell him that. He thinks he’s a pretty boy.”

“He was pretty,” she says.

“Don’t tell him that either. He’ll try to be your favourite.”

“He can’t. You are, Ollie.”

My fingers stall as I weave the first of three strands into the braid. “Thanks, peanut. You’re my favourite too.”

“Even more than Mom?” she asks, voice a gasped whisper.

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