Page 121 of Ravage

“Um-hmm.” Reese nodded with excitement. “She said we could help you unpack.”

“That would be great.”

“Why don’t you go put your bag in your room?” I suggested. “You can look after the cat while we get everything unloaded.”

“Okay.”

When she darted for the door, I turned to Sam and said, “You can head inside, too. It’ll be a bit before we’re ready for you.”

“Okay.” Sam paused and looked over to Em. “Just wanted to say I’m glad you’re moving in… Dad seems happier when you’re around.”

“Thanks, Sam. I’m happier when he’s around, too.”

Sam smiled and ran inside, leaving us both alone with Ava. I turned to her and said, “Thanks for bringing them by… I’ll drop them back off tomorrow after lunch.”

“Okay. Whenever is fine.” Ava gave me one of her looks, and I knew she had something on her mind. “He’s right, you know? You are happier when she’s around.”

“Not sure how to respond to that.”

“You don’t have to respond. I was just telling you.” She turned to Emery and said, “I really am happy for you two.”

“Thanks, Ava. That means a lot.”

She glanced back over at me as she said, “You know, Cole never looked at me the way he looks at you.”

I didn’t know what to say to that, and neither did Emery. So neither of us said anything. Emery just gave her an awkward smile. “I didn’t say that to make things weird. I’m just saying it because he’s a great guy, and I really am happy he found what he was looking for.”

She stepped closer and gave Em a hug. “Just give me a call if you need anything, and good luck with moving in.”

“Thanks, Ava. I will.”

Ava smiled at me, then turned and headed for her car, leaving Emery and me standing there in the driveway. Emery waved goodbye as she whispered, “What was that?”

“That was my ex-wife trying to give her blessing.”

“It was sweet.”

“It’s true.” I reached over and took her hand in mine. “It took me a while, but I found what I was looking for.”

“I found it, too.”

“That’s good, because you’re stuck with me.” I leaned in and kissed her on the temple. “Now, move that pretty little ass of yours and get to unpacking.”

“On it.”

She smiled and made her way back into the house. I helped the guys finish unloading the trailer, and once we had everything inside, Emery and Reese started unpacking her clothes. Reese didn’t do much. She just sat on the edge of the bed and talked Emery’s ear off while she hung her clothes in the closet. Sam and I worked on the kitchen boxes, trying to find room for her things and mine.

It wasn’t really all that bad. I was a bit of a minimalist and only had enough pots and pans to get by. Emery, on the other hand, had enough for two kitchens, and everything matched. We had just started on the box of glasses when I heard a truck pull up outside.

I glanced outside and spotted Knox getting out of his truck. I turned to Sam and said, “I’ll be right back.”

Sam kept at it while I made my way out to the front porch. Knox and I weren’t exactly on the outs. We were cordial and talked at work and the club, but things hadn’t been the same between us since the night Knox discovered I was with Emery.

I was beginning to think things might never go back to the way they were when he stepped onto the porch and shoved a box into my hands. “What’s this?”

“I’m passing the torch.”

“The torch?” I eased the edge open and glanced inside, then laughed when I saw that it was all of Emery’s favorite candy, snacks, candles, and tons of girlie shit. And a few things I didn’t even pretend to understand. “What the hell is all this?”