Page 89 of Make It Last

Ava: By the way, Laney tells me you’re reconsidering now that she’s moving back.

For a second, I couldn’t process the words. When I did, anger flashed high inside. “What the actual fuck,” I muttered under my breath.

The helicopter blades were spun along as we approached Willow Brook, the roar loud enough to swallow my voice. Probably for the best because I almost shouted my frustration. Reconsidering what?

I replayed the conversation I’d had with Laney at the pizza place. Her reaching for my hand and me pulling away. I’d been crystal clear we weren’t getting back together. There had been nothing ambiguous about it, nothing vaguely hopeful for Laney to latch onto.

Yet she’d turned around and told Ava I was reconsidering. Anger burned hotter. Because now Ava was out of town, packing up her life, and instead of feeling steady about us, she was questioning it. I typed before I could overthink it.

Me: That’s not true. I told her no. Flat out. I am not reconsidering anything.

I hesitated before adding another text.

Me: I’m not interested in Laney. At all.

When Ava didn’t reply swiftly, my gut churned with dread. The helicopter touched down, and the jolt rattled through me. My phone buzzed again.

Ava: She said you were thinking about it.

My jaw tightened. I climbed out once we were cleared, my boots landing on the tarmac with the air smelling like fuel. I barely registered the noise around me as I typed back.

Me: She’s wrong. There is nothing to reconsider.

I stared at the screen, then added another text.

Me: I want you, Ava. Not her.

There. That was simple, direct, and undeniably true.

I slid my phone into my pocket, my heart pounding harder than it had when we’d been out facing down a wildfire. I’d run toward walls of flame without blinking. But the idea of Ava doubting me because of someone else’s lie rattled me in a way the fire never had.

Chapter Forty-Two

Ava

The exit interview

Standing in my parents’ kitchen, I bit back yet another sigh that wanted to escape. “Mom, you’ve got this.” I kept my tone light and encouraging.

Her worried gaze met mine. “I just… I can’t believe you’re moving.”

“Honestly, I can’t believe you’re surprised.” I softened my voice. “I loved her as much as you did. I hate what happened to Charlotte.” I paused, shrugging a little because I didn’t know how else to frame it. “Because of that, in some ways, I gave up my life too, to make it work. I don’t regret that for a second, but now I want to do this, so I am.”

My mom blinked rapidly, but held my gaze.

“I’m going to keep sending you money,” I continued. “You’re going to be fine. I will always be there for you. I’ll fly down when you need something. But I need this. I’ll just be a plane trip away.” I lifted my chin. “I’m only twenty-eight. Hell, I married fucking Brad because it seemed like the best option, and I didn’t know any better. I’m not keeping that job. I’ve already given my notice. I’m here to box up my stuff and send what I need to Alaska.”

“Don’t you want to just put your things in storage?” she asked softly.

“Actually, no.” I shifted gears before we spiraled back into her questioning my choices all over again. “You passed your certification, right?”

Her expression changed, and I could’ve sworn I saw a little flicker of pride in her gaze. “I did.”

“And?”

She hesitated before she let out a small breath. “You’re right.”

“About what?” I asked.