Page 108 of Make It Last

Tanner let out a long breath and ran a hand through his hair. “It was a good refresher. I updated my passwords on everything.”

“Smart move,” she said firmly. I loved seeing how protective his sister was. “I figure it’s good to do that once a year or something like that.”

“We’ll have you out for dinner, but we can also come for dinner out at Mom’s,” Tanner said.

“Has Ava met her?”

“I have. I actually met her when I was in the hospital, but I met her again just the other day,” I said.

Sophie grinned at me. “She loves Tanner so much, and he was less trouble than I was.”

Tanner just shook his head at that. “I’ll catch you later,” he said.

A few minutes later, we walked out of the Firehouse Café, and Tanner held the door open for me to climb into his truck. I still felt a little self-conscious when he did that, but it was just how he was. Once I was settled in the seat, I carefully flexed my ankle.

“How’s it feel?” he asked as he buckled up.

“Good. No pain,” I insisted.

He chuckled. “I’m just checking. Wouldn’t you check if I’d broken my ankle like you did?”

“You’re never going to break your ankle like that,” I insisted.

He laughed. “You never know.”

As we drove out toward my place, he glanced over at me. “Do you mind if I stay tonight?”

“Of course not. I want you to stay every night, Tanner.”

His hand slid down my thigh, and I savored the weight of it. I loved every touch, and Tanner was generous with his touch. Something I had never experienced before.

Even though it sucked, I’d been humiliated, and I would probably always carry some regret about my marriage and have to work through it, I was grateful. If I had not had such a terrible marriage and an embarrassing breakup, I probably never would have taken my dramatic divorce trip to Alaska. Life shifted in surprising ways. Sometimes the worst chapters cracked open the door to the best ones.

I took a quick breath. “Are we ready?”

“Ready for what?” His gaze slid to mine before returning to the road.

“I don’t know. Maybe we should move in together.”

“I’m ready for anything with you, Ava,” he said with such easy confidence and zero hesitation that tears sprang to my eyes.

“Anything?” My voice wobbled a little.

He squeezed my thigh before turning his palm upward. I laced my fingers with his and savored his warm, steady grip.

“Anything.”

“Growly has to come.”

Tanner’s chuckle vibrated through me. “Obviously. Do you know how old he is?” he asked.

“The vet told me he was in bad condition when they found him, but that he might be younger than we thought, just because he’s lived in the wild. He looks like he’s lived a rough life. He survived Alaska winters. He kept himself safe from wolves and bears and lynx.”

“We can foster other cats if you want,” Tanner added.

“You’re a good man, Tanner,” I murmured.

“I try to be.”