Page 82 of Whatever You Need

“Look Aunt Amelia.”Madison turned around in her Cinderella gown. “I got a whole chest full of princess dresses for Christmas.”

“That’s beautiful,” I said, wishing she was a real princess because I could really use a fairy godmother right now.

Drew squeezed her shoulder, stopping her mid-spin. “All right, Maddie, it’s time for bed.”

“Dad, nooo,” she whined. He tightened his grip because when Madison had a breakdown, it wasn’t pretty.

“It’s already past your bedtime. You need to go upstairs and get ready for bed.” He released her shoulder and ran his hand along the top of her brown hair. “If you give me any trouble, I’m sending all your gifts back to Santa.”

Madison’s lip trembled and then she threw her crown on the floor and stormed up the stairs. Drew tossed his head back in frustration and closed his eyes.

He scooped up the crown and turned to Ava. “Stay here and enjoy your wine. I’ll make sure she goes to bed.”

Ava pushed the pile of decorative pillows to the side. “Thanks, babe.”

Drew winked before making his way up the stairs to his very unhappy little girl.

Ava looked at the mess that was now her family room. There were new toys everywhere. “She’s been so out of her routine.”

“It’s okay. I get it.” My fingers traced along the rim of the wineglass.

She curled her legs underneath her. “We need to talk about what happened on New Year’s Eve.”

I took a sip of my wine and set it down while she kept her eyes on me. “I decided not to go through with the arrangement.”

“I’m sorry? What did you just say?” The hope in her voice almost made me laugh.

“I’m not marrying Owen, and I need you to help me come up with some big grand gesture to get Marco back. How’s that?”

She flung herself at me, causing us both to fall back on the cushions. “Finally.” She pulled back and placed her hands on my arms. “I don’t think you realize how happy I am to hear that.”

I shook my head with a smile. “I think I have a pretty good idea.”

Now that I had officially made my decision, nerves were settling in my stomach, and I would feel a hell of a lot better when Marco took me back.

“Why do you look so sad?”

“Oh, I don’t know? Maybe because this is a huge risk. I’m walking away from everything I’ve worked for and there is no guarantee that he will even want anything to do with me?”

The idea of losing my career, letting down my family, my coworkers, and employees made me sad. It felt like I was losing a part of my identity, but it was nothing compared to losing him. I had to remind myself that I was giving up something big, but what I was gaining was so much better.

She patted my leg in understanding. “That man is crazy about you. I don’t think you have anything to fear.”

“I hope you’re right.”

She tapped her chin with her finger. “You need to do something big and loud. Something that will show him, not just tell him.”

“What do you suggest?” I asked, just as my cell phone started ringing in my bag. I pulled it out and was ready to hit decline when Marco’s name flashed across the top of my screen.

My mouth dropped open. “It’s him,” I announced, feeling all the air rush from my lungs.

Ava nudged my leg. “This is a sign.”

With shaky fingers I hit accept. “Hello.”

“Amelia, it’s Logan.” He paused, and something in his voice had every nerve in my body standing on end. “Marco’s been shot.”

“What?” I gasped. “Is he going to be okay?”

---