Page 100 of His Greatest Treasure

Avery strokes a finger along the back of my hand; whether it’s meant to be a symbol of support or something subconscious doesn’t matter.

“You have one of the healthiest hearts in Sweden, Dad. Save the dramatics for Nova,” she says.

“And where is my precious granddaughter? Still sleeping?”

“She’s at Oliver’s parents’ house.”

“Did he make you send her away?” Matt asks, leaning closer to the camera until all that’s visible are his narrowed eyes.

He’s pulled away a moment later, and Morgan’s holding him by the shoulder. “Just ignore him, sweetheart. I’m happy for you. Both of you. When did this happen?”

Her warm, motherly tone is comforting. At least one of Avery’s parents isn’t already planning a way to hide my body the next time they’re here.

“A few weeks after I moved in. He’s my neighbour,” Avery explains with flushed skin. “We didn’t get alongat first.”

“Why? Is he mean?” Matt asks before Morgan pins him with a glare.

“No, Dad. We just butted heads a bit. Miscommunication and all that.”

Matt hums stiffly. “Miscommunication isn’t exactly a good sign to a healthy relationship.”

“Avery’s covering for me with that. It wasn’t miscommunication. I didn’t recognize her at first, and by the time I did, I’d already been a grumpy ass to her and been marked off. It took a few weeks to make it up to her,” I say, stepping in.

If he’s going to write me off for my past actions, then I’m more than willing to put in the work to get back in his good graces. I’ve already done that with the most important Miller. I can do it again.

“The apple never falls far from the tree, does it?” Matt huffs in question. “First, your father with your mother, and now you with my daughter. You couldn’t have fallen for one of the nicer boys, Avery? What about Jamieson?”

“Dad!” Avery scolds him before flashing me an apologetic look.

“My brother’s not ready to be a father, Mr. Miller,” I say.

I’ve put it all out there now, and by the gasp that explodes out of Morgan’s mouth, she wasn’t expecting my comment. Matt’s not as obvious with his surprise, but he doesn’t hide it well either.

“And you are? After only . . . what? A few weeks?”

“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”

Avery’s hand tightens in mine.

Her father opens his mouth to say something, but his wife cuts him off with a hand in the face. “I don’t want to hear another word from you, Matthew. No more arguing. I’m so excited for the both of you and will be calling Gracie as soon as we get off the phone to scold her for not telling me about this sooner.”

“Gracie and Tyler both knew?” Matt asks.

“Keep up, honey. Do you think Gracie took Nova for thenight without knowing all about what these two were up to? Not possible.”

“She doesn’t know everything,” I say.

Morgan frowns. “More than us.”

“I’ve been busy, Mom.”

“I know. I know. I’m just being petty.”

“It wasn’t planned. Neither of us expected anything after meeting again the way we did. But I’m serious about Avery and Nova. I want to be a part of their lives for the rest of my life,” I say past the nerves in my throat. “I’m up for the task of proving that to you.”

Avery’s attention has me looking away from the camera and toward her. Her mouth is tipped in a gentle smile that has me positive that I made the right call by being honest with her parents.

I smile back and pull our hands to my lips to kiss her knuckles. A heavy, comforting feeling of contentment falls over me as we sit here. We might not be alone, but that doesn’t mean shit right now.

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