Page 45 of Resilient Rhythms
I smirk.
He sighs and opens the passenger door. “You ready?”
Nodding, I turn to lock the front door of the brownstone. Then, I skip down the stairs and slip into Mav’s passenger seat.
He drives us away from the row of brownstones and out of the city entirely.
I fill him in on seeing Bran. He lets me know that he’s already reached out to his contacts as well as the detective on my case.
“You seem a lot more at ease than I would have thought,” Mav remarks, glancing at me.
“I made an important decision.”
“I’m sensing that.”
I smile at him, my first real smile in days. “I’m going to press charges,” I announce. Then, I relax in my seat, turn up the volume on the playlist, and enjoy the passing scenery.
Beside me, Mav remains silent, as if sensing I need more time to gather my thoughts. But his large palm lands on my thigh and I lace my fingers with his.
We ride for nearly an hour before Mav turns into Newbury, a quaint town, that opens before us like a present.
“You brought me to Newbury?”
He smirks. “It’s relaxing. We can have some tea, walk on the beach, and talk.”
“You’re worried?”
“I want to understand more about your decision.”
“Do you think it’s the wrong choice?”
“I don’t have enough information to know anything. Besides, it’s not up to me.”
“That’s fair.”
He clasps my hand tightly. “No matter what happens, we’re in this together. I’ll always have your back, beauty.”
“I know, Mav. I never doubted that.”
Mav parks his SUV, a smile ghosting his lips. “Tea?”
“Tea,” I confirm, slipping from the SUV.
My feet hit the ground solidly and I no longer feel shaky. My panic attack has receded and for the first time in ages, I feel like the old me. Decisive, sassy, confident in my skin.
I look at the charming town of Newbury and smile. New beginnings shimmer on the horizon.
When Mav steps besides me, I join our fingers together, and we fall into step as we search for the perfect tea shop to discuss our next steps.
Together. As a team.
As a couple.
“Mm,” I murmur as the peach tea rolls over my tongue.
“Have a scone,” Mav advises, finishing one in two bites.
I snort but I take a scone and cut it carefully before adding some clotted cream.
