Page 23 of Make It Last

“Can I have a blueberry donut, please?” I asked, choosing to ignore this.

“Of course,” Luna replied.

“Damn,” Parker said at my shoulder. “You’re not one to get defensive, Tanner.” I slid my gaze to his. “What gives?”

“I don’t know.”

But he studied me for a beat too long, adding, “Wouldn’t hurt you to smile more. Janet’s not wrong.”

I bit back the urge to say anything. After I left, I tucked my coffee into the cup holder in my truck, took a bite of my donut, and slid my phone out, eyeing the screen.

I didn’t want to be rude, much less ignore Ava.

Me: Sorry. Busy day. You don’t need to apologize. But I can’t forget that kiss.

Chapter Ten

Ava

What kiss?

“He can’t forget the kiss!” I exclaimed out loud in my hospital room just as Holly walked in.

She paused mid-step, arching a brow. “What kiss?”

My cheeks were on fire when I met her gaze. “Nobody’s.”

“Well, it’s obviously not nobody,” Holly pointed out.

“Tanner.”

Holly’s eyes lit up as she waggled her brows. “Spill,” she ordered.

“I kissed him the other night when he brought me pizza. I think it was crazy.”

Holly grinned. “Oh, I love that you kissed him!”

“You do?”

“Yeah, I do. Tanner’s a great guy. And his ex completely screwed him over.”

“No! What did she do? Or he?” I asked, blinking.

“Nothing horrible, but definitely hurtful. They were high school sweethearts. I never thought they were the greatest couple. Seemed kind of like an odd match to me.” She pulled the chair beside the bed. “Tanner was nicer than her. She told him he was boring.”

“Oh no,” I breathed.

“I know, right? Shitty.”

“He’s not boring. At all,” I said stoutly.

“Nope. He’s loyal, reliable, and steady. Also intelligent and a kick-ass firefighter. Anyway, I’m glad you kissed him.” She tilted her head toward me, eyes twinkling. “I think you should kiss him again.”

“You think? I’m not here long-term. I’m only here until I get better,” I pointed out. “Or, until I can fly on a plane without paying extra for the medical accommodation.”

“You never know what’s going to happen in life,” Holly pointed out. “Honestly, you don’t.”

Okay, true. I had tried to follow all the rules and do all the right things. Yet here I was, divorced after my ex cheated on me. I was tired of holding everything together. I wanted to be a little not so predictable.