Page 99 of Give Me Forever

Travis looked at me. "Sure, we could arrange something."

She wanted to spend time with my niece? Fuck me, this woman was adorable—and holding out on me. She'd never told me that.

Kimberly looked around the group, smilingly smugly.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. I'm just happy to finally see you again." She winked at Avery. “I can't wait to steal you away. You and I are going to be best friends. I have a good feeling about it."

"What a coincidence," Avery said. "So do I. It's a pity we never kept in touch."

"Well, I was very resentful of the fact that you'd broken Sam's heart. I was determined not to talk to you again."

Avery choked, and my jaw dropped.

"Kimberly," I said.

"Sorry, that was my—what age was I—seventeen-year-old judgment. I'm much more mature now," Kimberly said. "Of course, if anyone hurts any of my cousins, I might turn into a mama bear, but that's another conversation altogether."

"I quite like your mama bear personality," Kendra said. "It extends to us girls, too, by the way."

"Good to know," Avery said.

"How's your mom?" Reese asked.

"She's fine, thanks. She's healthy, thank goodness. She loves living in Florida. She’s spending Thanksgiving with her friends."

“And your sister?”

“She’s traveling with friends.”

Once we were done with dinner, we all moved into the living room. Mom cut Avery’s pie in the kitchen, and everyone was welcome to take a plate with a serving.

I was pleased that everyone was embracing Avery so openly, not only my cousins and brothers, but also their wives and fiancées.

"Sam, you didn't update me. Did the board change their mind about sending you to the boonies for that clinic?" Kimberly asked.

I froze. Next to me, I felt Avery tense up. She looked at me. Mom gasped.

"What? You didn't tell me about that,” Avery exclaimed.

Kimberly put her hand over her mouth. "Shit, Sam, you still didn’t tell her? I didn’t know it was still a secret."

“Kimberly, language,” Gran said.

Kimberly cleared her throat. “Sorry, Gran. Sorry, Paisley.”

"It's not a secret," I said slowly.

"Well, clearly Avery doesn't know, and I think part of the family... Okay, okay. I'm going to shut up now," Kimberly said.

She smiled apologetically at Avery, who sat uncharacteristically still.

"I'm not sure which of you is going to need the mama bear personality soon, but I'm here for both of you," Kimberly said. "I'm going to get seconds."

She walked to the kitchen just as Reese was heading in our direction. Kimberly caught her sister by the arm and whispered something in her ear. Reese’s eyes widened, and she went toward Mom instead.

"I'm sorry you found out like this," I murmured to Avery. "Kimberly shouldn't have blurted it out."

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