Page 141 of Your Second Chance
Looking at Austin and Charlie, I knew they were different. She softened his edges. Maybe that’s what made his efforts seem genuine. He wasn’t doing this for Scarlette—he was doing it because Charlie had helped him see he could be better, that he could forgive himself and build something new.
I exhaled slowly, the tension in my chest easing. He wasn’t my rival, not anymore. He was another man trying to put his pieces back together. And maybe, like Nova and I had found each other, Austin and Charlie had been meant to find each other too.
“I think we can make another seat. The table’s big enough for all of us,” I murmured.
Austin’s shoulders relaxed, and he nodded, his eyes glistening. “Thank you,” he voiced gently.
48
nova
“I really liked Charlie,” I whispered as we tucked Scarlette into bed, her little face peaceful in the glow of the night-light.
I smoothed her blanket over her and turned to Ollie, keeping my voice low.
“They were really lovely.” Ollie squeezed my hand gently.
We walked out of the room, closing the door. It was well past midnight by the time we’d gotten home.
I had expected the day to feel heavier, to be a constant reminder of the complexities of this new dynamic, but to my surprise, it hadn’t. Watching everyone together, laughing and talking, wasn’t as painful as I’d imagined.
“Was it really okay?” I asked hesitantly, glancing at him.
Ollie stopped outside the door, turning to face me fully. He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “It was okay, love. You made it okay.”
“Tell me the truth.” I hoped he knew I was asking because I could handle it.
“Did I enjoy seeing the man who hurt you, really hurt you, when you were married to him? No. Could I tell that he was trying and probably a different person than when you were together? Yes.”
I nodded, understanding what he meant.
“That type of hurt doesn’t go away quickly, but I’m here, and I’m willing to work on it.”
“Thank you,” I murmured.
We walked into our room, and I sat at the edge of the bed, watching as Ollie unclasped his watch and set it down.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you.” I twisted my fingers in my lap.
Ollie glanced over, his brow lifting slightly.
“Can I tell you something illogical?”
“I don’t mind illogical. Tell me,” he said as he came to sit beside me.
“Sometimes I think Mami sent you to me,” I admitted. “When she died, she knew I needed a guardian angel, and you walked into my life.”
He smiled and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. “Maybe she did.”
I leaned over, unable to resist the pull of his words, and kissed him softly. He slid his hand to the back of my neck, deepening the kiss, and before I knew it, he lifted me into his lap like I weighed nothing.
“I love you,” I murmured against his lips, my voice trembling with emotion.
“I love you, too.”
His hands moved with purpose, slipping to the waistband of my pants as his lips stayed firmly on mine. Slowly, he tugged them down, his fingertips brushing against my skin. He didn’t rush, savoring every second as he peeled them off.
He pulled back slightly, his breath warm against my lips, and I saw the glint of desire in his eyes before he reached for the hem of my jumper. He slid his hands under it and pulled it up and over my head.
