Page 43 of Bound and Blitzed

“My parents also have a chalet in the Swiss Alps,” I remind him.

“Of course they do,” he mutters, shaking his head as he takes a bite of his pasta. “About your family, do they want to…I don’t know, meet me?”

I sigh and wipe the corner of my mouth with a napkin. “They don’t know about you…yet.”

“What?” Avery frowns.

“I haven’t told them,” I admit. “I’m sorry.” And then, “But I did tell my abuela about you. Last night.” I wince. “She wants to meet you.”

“But I heard you, that night on the phone, and?—”

“They were disappointed that my visa worked out. They were hoping I was going to return to Spain,” I confess.

Avery shakes his head. “Lena, that’s awful. Why didn’t you tell me?”

I avert my gaze. “I was embarrassed.” I fiddle with the napkin before forcing myself to meet his eyes. “Ashamed. You had just married me, and your family embraced me, accepted your choice, because they accept and respectyou…” I shake my head. “After my parents’ reaction to my visa news, I didn’t want to share anything else.”

Understanding flares in his eyes and he nods. “I get it.”

“But now…we need to tell them the truth. Ale and Carla have been wondering why I’ve been so quiet. My parents are flying to Chicago on December 27th to visit Carla, and Ale is also trying to join. There’s afútbol—soccer…” I pause to correct myself for Avery’s sake. “Gala that my family likes to support on December 28th as it’s sponsored by the Tornadoes.”

“Right. Raia will be flying up for that. Unfortunately, Cohen and I are out of town that day for an away game.”

“Boston,” I confirm.

His eyes spark with recognition and a smirk ghosts his lips. “Boston. I like that you know my schedule.”

I blush at his words, trying to shrug them off. “Nova asked about the team Christmas party, and it made me look at your schedule and?—”

“I’d like us to go to the party,” Avery interjects, crossing his arms and leaning over the table. “I want my team to get to know you, Lena.”

I meet his eyes and sigh. “Even though I won’t be around long?”

At the honesty in my voice, Avery’s expression darkens. “Don’t say that. I know this is confusing and things have been hectic, but whether this is only two years or more, I want us to live it with each other. I want us to give this fake marriage a shot, Lena. Even if all we have is friendship, I care for you too much to make it any less than that.”

His words cause a spark to flicker in my abdomen, for heat to unfurl through my limbs. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I want us to try. For real. To make a go of our marriage. I want to know your family and I can’t wait to meet your abuela. Please, let me come to your speaking engagements and show up for your sessions at Ijams. I’d love to see you cheering for the Coyotes at my games and have you on my arm at the Christmas party. Introduce you to my teammates. And if, after two years, it’s not working, that’s one thing. But if it is… I want a shot, Lena. A real chance with you.”

“You do?” I whisper, my eyes widening. “For real?”

“For real, beautiful. Seeing you present tonight, the way I feel when I’m around you, I don’t want to regret holding back with you. And if I don’t give this a true chance, I know I’ll regret it. These past few weeks without really seeing you, without communicating or knowing what’s happening in your life, have been awful. I don’t like it.”

“I don’t either,” I admit. “I’ve…I’ve missed you. I hate coming home to a quiet condo or leaving while you’re still asleep.”

“I know. I feel the same.”

I reach across the table and his hand is there, his fingers inching toward mine, until our fingers twist together. “I’ve never been in a real relationship before, Avery,” I admit.

Surprise flares in his irises.

“Much less a marriage,” I continue. “And then, add in the fact that it’s fake… I don’t know how to do this with you. I don’t know how to act or what’s too much. What’s not enough. I hate walking on eggshells all the time but that’s how I feel,” I admit.

For a blink, Avery looks stricken. “I never want you to feel that way,” he says, his tone low. “Ever.”

I shrug.

“Lena, tell me you’ll give us a chance. We’ll take it day by day. No eggshells, no worrying if something is too much. I married you because I like you.”

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