Page 85 of His Greatest Treasure

“It’s not nice to shake people, Mom.”

“Don’t get all grunty with me, Oliver Bateman. This is important.”

“It’s just a ballet lesson.”

“Just a ballet lesson?” She scoffs, shaking her head at me. “You’re here for them. Like a dad would be.”

I grow rigid, liking the sound of that and wishing it were closer to reality. “Slow down, Mom. Nova already has a dad.”

“I’m sure there’s plenty of room for another one in that little girl’s life. What did you think was going to happen once you’ve fallen in love with Avery and have grown to love her daughter as well? That you’d just be a random male figure in her life? Is this a game to you, Oliver, or are you serious about them? It’s easy to say you’re ready for this, but it’s far harder to prove it.”

I reel back at her words, so damn stiff she could turn my arm to dust if she keeps squeezing it so hard. I’ve avoided thinking those things because I didn’t want to move too fucking fast and scare Avery away. It’s not easy falling for a woman who’s tied to another man by a little girl who you can’t help but want to bundle in your arms forever. Avery might be open to me right now, but I have no clue if she’s ready for me to have a permanent spot in her daughter’s life.

I’ll never be Nova’s father, but I’ll love her like I am. And ifthat scares me, I can’t begin to imagine how terrified it will make Avery feel when I find the nerve to tell her. I might as well be asking her to marry me with the commitment I’ll be offering.

“Honey, you’re pale,” Mom murmurs, touching my cheek with the back of her hand. “Cold to the touch too. I’ve downright terrified you.”

“It’s still new,” I mutter absently.

She strokes the side of my head in slow swipes of her hand. “Alright. I know it is. What you two need is time alone together. You’ve got to talk some things through and lay it all out on the line. There’s no point in either of you continuing to grow your relationship if you don’t set boundaries or come clean about what exactly it is you both want. And not just for the right now, but for ten years from now. This isn’t the kind of casual dating you’ve done before. If you’re going to pursue Avery, it should only be for keeps.”

My nod is weak. “I was planning on taking her out this weekend. Saturday night.”

“I’ll speak with Avery and take Nova for the night.”

She sighs at my lack of reaction to her offer and, despite being so much smaller than me, tucks me in for a tight hug.

“You’ve never done anything half-assed in your life, Oliver. We’re the same, you and me, sweetheart. When we want something, we stop at nothing to get it, and that includes those we love. Don’t let Avery be any different. Not again.”

“Thank you, Mom,” I whisper.

There’s no point in explaining to her that I didn’t love Avery the first time I let her get away. Things were different then. I was different.

Avery managed to shake a teenage Oliver, but I’m a man now, and I’ll stop at nothing to call her mine forever.

28

AVERY

“Be good,Nova. Don’t fight when Gracie says it’s bedtime, and listen to her rules. Remember that every house has their own rules, and it’s rude not to obey them. If you need me at all, I’ll be there as soon as possible. No matter what,” I say, squeezing the life out of her.

She giggles, nodding along with every word I say. It’s not her first sleepover, but it’s her first one at Gracie and Tyler’s, so my brain is working quickly to try and ease any worries she could have.

It’s me with the worries, though, and we both know it.

“Okay, Mom,” she says, patting my back.

“I’m serious. If you need me at all, you ask Gracie to call me.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll take good care of your girl, Avery,” Gracie says, waiting at the bottom of the porch steps.

“I know. I’m just . . .” Puffing out a breath, I let Nova out of my arms and swipe my palms down the front of my dress, my nerves springing back now that I’ve stopped worrying about her. “I haven’t been on a date in a long time.”

Gracie smiles softly, knowingly. “Well, you look gorgeous.And because Oliver’s my son, I know him well enough to tell you that he’s just as nervous as you are.”

I doubt that. All he told me in preparation for tonight was that we’d be eating somewhere nice. I took that and went out yesterday to buy this dress after realizing all of my old ones didn’t fit anymore. It’s a soft, navy satin material that’s tight to my waist and hips and cups my tiny tits in a way that makes them look maybe half a size bigger. My plain black heels are old and worn but are also my comfiest pair.

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