Page 59 of The Little Black Rose

I take a deep breath and blow it out roughly before mumbling, “It was gas.”

“Gas?”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry I spazzed out and made you worry for no reason.”

“Don’t do that,” he says, his voice deepening. “Don’t apologize for worrying over our children. You did the right thing. All that matters is that you’re okay.”

“You mean the babies. All that matters is the babies are okay,” I say softly, feeling that familiar sadness at the recent distance between us.

“Of course,” he says, shaking his head. “That’s a given, but I meant what I said. I’m so relieved you’re okay. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”

“To the babies, you mean.”

I know I’m being a contrary bitch, but I can’t help it. I refuse to misconstrue his words and get my hopes up that he cares about me more than he does. Of course, he cares, but it’s because I’m carrying his children. That’s all. Nothing more.

“Jesus, Ava, stop arguing and listen to my words.I care about you.You, Ava.” I shake my head, and his palm leaves my stomach to pinch my chin lightly. “I love you, Ava Brown.”

“You…what?”

Chapter29

Scream it From the Rooftops

Zeke

“Ilove you,” I say again, and a weight I didn’t even know I carried suddenly lifts from my shoulders.

After talking to Zoey at the shop, some of the self-imposed fog clouding my feelings lifted, and once I got that call from Ava, I couldn’t deny what was in my heart a moment longer. Sure, I was terrified she was miscarrying, but there was a substantial amount of fear for Ava’s well-being that had nothing to do with our children.

I’m in love with her. It hit me like a ton of bricks during the frantic drive here, and I ended up shouting it out loud, nearly causing Zoey to swerve off the road, it startled her so badly. Then I started to laugh like a deranged maniac, before remembering where we were headed and sobering.

“But you said…” Ava mutters, and I shake my head.

“I know what I said. It’s what I’ve been telling myself for years. That I would never love again. That I’d never open myself up to the kind of heartbreak I suffered when Samantha cheated on me with my best friend.” She gasps, and I give her a second to absorb the truth of what I went through before going on. “But I was wrong, Ava. Hell, feeling the way I do now, I realized I never even loved her. Not really. Not the way I love you.”

I brace myself for her reaction. Ava could destroy me right now with a few words of rejection. But I’m done caving to my fear. I want to be happy, and she makes me happier than I’ve ever been. She, above all others, is worth the risk of a broken heart.

She stares into my eyes, and hers fill with tears that stream down her cheeks unchecked. Then she laughs.

“Fucking pregnancy. I swear, I’m not usually a crier,” she says tearfully, making me smile. She sniffs loudly. “Fuck. I love you, too, Zeke.”

“You do?” I ask, my voice filled with wonder.

“Yes, damn it.”

She pushes herself upright, then falls back as a loud fart echoes off the walls around us. She buries her face in her hands and mumbles a few more obscenities before spreading her fingers to peek up at me.

“Oh, my God. Kill me, now.”

Laughter bursts out of me as I lean over and curl my arms around her. Pulling her into my chest, I bury my face in her neck and hold her as we rock back and forth. My heart swells in my chest with love for this woman.

This smart-ass, grumpy, sexy as hell mother of my children.

Lifting my head, I press my lips to hers in a gentle kiss. She tries to deepen it, but we break apart as knuckles rap against the door just before it swings open. Dr. Kohatsu strides in, greeting me before looking at Ava.

“You’re clear to go home now. Just take it easy, and remember what I said. No more bean burritos.”

Ava nods, and I look at her with my eyebrows hiked up. “Bean burritos?”

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