Page 89 of Bound and Blitzed

I nod, recalling the sticky note I left on the kitchen island.

“Did you mean it?” Avery asks.

“Yes.”

“Good. Because I love you, too. You’re it for me. I fucking hated the space between us, Valentina, but I know it’s been a lot, and I understand that you want your parents to approve of us.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Yes, it does. Your family matters. I think with time, they’ll come around, sweetheart.”

“I hate how easily I questioned things. It made me feel like what we had was already shaky, but it wasn’t, Avery. It’s just that the timing wasn’t on our side. We didn’t have enough months or years behind us for me to feel secure.”

“I know. As soon as you pulled away, I started getting scared that you’d end up resenting me if you didn’t have the opportunity to have more experiences. I wondered if I was making you feel the way I once felt when I was with Mila. I started to project that shit onto you, Lena, and it terrified me. I never want to lose you. We can work through things with your family together.”

“It’s the way we should have from the beginning,” I admit, looking up at him. “If you still want me, I’m yours.”

Avery grins. He holds my hand where his wedding band encircles his finger. “Forever.”

I smile back, relief flowing through me. “I want you always,” I promise him, tugging his fingers.

He comes willingly and kisses my lips.

“All right, there will be time for that soon enough,” the doctor interrupts, entering the hospital room. He smiles at me. “I’m Dr. Allen. You gave us quite a scare, Mrs. Callaway. But we’ve kept you overnight and everything checks out. Are you ready to go home? Something tells me your husband will take good care of you.”

“I’m ready,” I say, looking at my husband. I mean it in more ways than the doctor can comprehend. I’m ready to truly become Mrs. Callaway.

Avery understands, and his eyes soften.

“Let’s go over a few things and we’ll get you discharged,” Dr. Allen agrees.

As he goes through my care with Avery, I study my husband.

His broad shoulders and strong jawline. His slate gray eyes and smirk. He saved me in more ways than he’ll ever know. He’s my home, my heart, my everything.

Chapter27

Avery

“You’re hovering,”my sister says accusingly.

“Why are you here?” I shoot back.

Mom snorts. “Because you have a game to get to.” She glances at her watch. “Avery, you’re going to miss your plane.”

“Let me just check on Lena.” I move back into the bedroom.

“I’m fine, Avery. I promise.” My wife smiles at me. She waves her phone, and I note her abuela on the video call.

“Hola, Abuela.” I wave.

“Hola! Go to your game. I am watching on the computer,” she says in Spanish, waving me away.

Valentina grins. “Her neighbor set her up with some subscription so she can tune into your games.”

“Gracias, Abuela.” I wave again.

She shoos me away, but a smile curls her lips.

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