Page 99 of Make It Last

I took a quick breath. “Well, Tanner definitely sweetens the move,” I admitted honestly. “But I fell in love with Alaska when I went up the first time.”

“I know,” my mom said, her expression sobering. “You couldn’t shut up about it.” I laughed. “We’ll come visit.”

“Thanks for letting me surprise Ava,” Tanner said a few minutes later.

I had already started organizing my boxes to carry them out to the car. “I know you just got here,” I said, flashing him an apologetic smile, “but I have to get these to the shipping place this afternoon.”

“I’ll help.” Green flag for Tanner. Not that I needed another one. The man might as well wear a green flag. He rescued people. He was kind, steady, good with his hands in more ways than one, and he never hesitated to pitch in.

Helping with something boring wasn’t in Brad’s wheelhouse. He just wasn’t that guy. Tanner, on the other hand, had the boxes loaded into the back of the SUV he’d rented in a matter of minutes. I must have thanked him too many times on the drive over because when he pulled up in front of the shipping place and turned off the engine, he angled toward me. “Ava?”

“Yes?”

“You don’t have to keep thanking me. You thanked me once. That’s enough. I know you’d help me carry boxes if I had boxes to carry.”

“You’re right.” I wrinkled my nose, feeling heat rising in my cheeks.

“I’m happy to help move boxes or anything you need.”

“Okay,” I said softly.

It was so difficult for me to accept help. I hated feeling like I was asking for something extra. I was used to taking care of everything, making sure no one had to go out of their way for me. It wasn’t my sister’s fault. I would never think that. She’d had a complicated medical condition, and she needed care. That was reality. But it had shaped me. I learned to stay quiet, to stay out of the way, and not to need too much. Even now, I still struggled with that.

On the drive back to my parents’ house, Tanner reached across the console for my hand. I savored the feel of his palm, warm and slightly calloused, strong and steady around mine. “Your mom said I could stay at the house,” he said.

“Of course.” I sighed lightly. “It’s just not…” I hesitated, my cheeks heating again. “The most romantic place.”

He let out a low chuckle, sending goose bumps prickling over my skin. That was how bad I had it. A simple laugh, and my hormones were doing somersaults.

“If you want,” I added, leaning my head back against the seat, “you could stay at a hotel. I’d go with you, but it’s my last night here before I move. I’ve never lived away from my parents’ orbit. I didn’t technically live in their house when I was married, but you know what I mean.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” he said, his thumb brushing slowly over mine. His touch was distracting, very distracting. “We’ll stay there.”

“My bedroom is right next to theirs,” I warned.

“Yeah. She already showed me.” He flashed a quick grin.

“My sister’s old room is across the hall, but it’s become a glorified storage room.”

“Ava, I want to stay there. I missed you. I just want to be with you.”

“The wall is really thin,” I added.

“Appreciate the warning.” He waggled his brows.

The gleam in his eyes told me I might have to practice being very quiet tonight.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Tanner

Right where I belong

The relief my nervous system felt at being back in Ava’s presence was almost impossible for my brain to compute. I loved her sharp, bright, sassy spirit. The way she tried to hide her vulnerability behind humor. And, of course, how damn cute she was.

Her hair was twisted into a messy knot, and she looked a little tired, what with getting organized to move, but I could have just looked at her all day and been happy. What truly soothed me was something else—I felt like she saw me exactly as I was.

All the doubts that had lingered after my breakup with Laney, the things she had said that had made me question parts of myself I used to consider strengths, those doubts didn’t exist with Ava. I didn’t know how she did it, but I believed she wanted me just as I was. I knew without a doubt that she was exactly who I wanted and needed. We felt right together.