Page 227 of Never Die for a Sinner
“Ava.”
I look up to find him watching me, his expression serious.
I place the lid back on the box and join him in the living room, stopping just beyond the couch because the closer I get to him, the less my brain wants to work.
“Why are you here, Levi?”
He’s quiet, studying me. A tear slips down my cheek, and he watches its descent, his eyes dark.
“Because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
God, why can’t I give in to him? I want to. My heart longs for his. It’s my head, that’s the problem.
“I told you I’d wait for you, Ava. I meant it.”
I glance back up at him, unsure what to say. It’s the first time we’ve talked about us since he started coming here.
It’s stupid, but I can’t help the laugh that comes out more like a sob.
“You drove here in a snowstorm, you idiot.”
He shrugs. “And I’ll do it a thousand times more.”
He takes a cautious step towards me, stopping just close enough that the scent of him washes over me. My body aches for his, but I stay rooted in place.
He reaches for my hand, and I let him take it, cautiously stepping just a little bit closer. He doesn’t push me any further, and his hand feels so good around my cold fingers that I want to sink into him.
“If you think my feelings have changed, you’re wrong,” he says quietly. “I know I hurt you . . . but I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, if that’s what it takes.”
I don’t know why a bitterness unfolds in my chest. Maybe it’s because I can’t get my head to cooperate, but a small part of me wants to lash out, even if I hate myself for it.
“And what if it doesn’t work?”
His lips tip up at the corner, and that’s when I know. “Then, I’ll find another way to make you love me again.”
I can’t bring myself to tell him I never stopped.
“I’m starting to think you’re letting me win.”
He smirks. “Maybe I’m just shit atUno.”
The power went out—surprise, surprise—three hours ago, and for some odd reason, I just wasn’t ready for him to go. He taught me how to make chili over the fire, and after, we dissolved into playingUnoat the coffee table with nothing else to do.
“It’sUno.Kids play this game,” I laugh, and he throws a piece of pre-made popcorn at me.
“Alright, brat.”
I reach for my wine glass and find it empty. There wasn’t actual wine in it, I just don’t have any other cups. When I’d offered, he’d held up his hand, telling me he’s sober. I can’t lie, I may have teared up a little at that admission. So . . . we’d both opted for soda instead.
The sun set a while ago, and outside, I can hear the wind whipping against the side of the house. It’s snowstorms like these that make me wish I lived somewhere warm, like Hawaii, but then I remember the warmer the climate, the bigger the bugs are, and that’s just not something I think I’m up for.
“I should get going,” Levi says quietly. My gaze cuts to his, and I find him watching me, a carefully guarded expression on his face.
My heart hammers unsteadily in my chest. I look past him out the window, watching the snow fall.
Cross Estate is only twenty minutes from here, but the roads will be icy. Not to mention the blistering cold.
“Y-you can stay,” I say, so quiet I’m not sure the words make it past my lips. My throat feels tight, my breath shallow.
