“Good. We’ll be back in…” I glanced at my Apple watch. “…two hours.” I nodded and tugged Ava toward the exit.
“Go where? I want to stay here—”
I turned and kissed her into silence then waited till she opened those beautiful brown eyes. “Please… trust me.”
She waited a heartbeat before nodding. “Okay.”
I kissed her once more, then all but ran with her to the parking garage.
“Where are we going?” Ava asked again.
“My office.”
Because that was the place where everything had changed. Now I was going to make it right.
Since the game was still going on, the drive wasn’t overly long, less than fifteen minutes from the stadium, and we listened to it on XM Radio as we pulled up to Prestige Media Group. I tossed my keys to Ricky, the company valet, and waved to the security guard as we walked in. My office was on one of the higher floors, so we took the elevator up.
Ava was quiet, but it wasn’t an awkward or concerned silence. Just a lot of history was being relived.
Bryce being injured…
Ava coming to my office…
But this time, we would fix everything that was broken. I just hoped part of that history could be rewritten.
After the elevator dinged and the bronze doors slid open, we walked out onto the hardwood floors of Prestige Media Group. I waved to Martha at the front desk, not waiting to see her reaction to Ava’s presence — or the fact that I was holding her hand. She probably remembered the last time Ava had come to this floor.
“So…” Ava asked as we approached the glass door that opened to my office.
I held the door, and she walked in after releasing my hand and wrapping her arms around herself.
“Ava…” I breathed her name, taking it in like air. “…this… is how everything should have happened three years ago.“ I took her hand, noticing a slight tremble in her fingers. “You walk in, give me hell… and I let you walk away. I should have never done that. And now that I have you, I don’t want to ever risk that again.”
She tilted her head, her gaze softening as she grasped my other hand.
“I loved you then. I was just trying to walk the line. Bryce — obviously he’s your brother, but he’s like mine too. He’s also my client. And I’m breaking the rules with you — but you’re worth every risk, every chance, every moment I’d fight to spend with you. All this I should have told you, but I didn’t. And I’m sorry. But…” I knelt slowly, watching, gauging her reaction, knowing there was no going back now.
“Markus…” Her eyes glistened as she waited, watched.
“…I asked you how long you wanted me around.”
She nodded before she could whisper the words. “Forever. That’s my answer. I want you to be around forever — every day, every moment—”
I stood and wrapped her in my arms, devouring her answer, consuming it as my world righted itself.
A few minutes later we walked toward the elevator. Martha winked as if she knew exactly what was going on — and she probably did.
As the elevator descended, I lifted her hand and kissed it. “One more stop, and then we’re going to give Bryce a reason to not take me out,” I teased, kissing her once more, simply because I could.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Ava
THE RING FELT foreign around my finger, making me completely aware of its place on my hand, reminding me of what it meant. I couldn’t believe it when Markus took me to his office; it had been like reliving a nightmare — only to have it turn into a dream halfway through.
The next stop had been ring shopping. Markus had selected an old jeweler downtown who not only made unique settings but also sized them in-house. Now a beautiful diamond set in sapphires wound its way around my left ring finger, and I couldn’t contain my smile.
On the way back to the stadium, Markus had told me about his conversation with Bryce the night when everything had shifted. I chuckled, realizing it was exactly the sort of thing my brother would do. I couldn’t wait to see the shock on his face when he found out what had transpired.
Markus called Bryce to find out where he was. When we walked down the stadium corridor to find him, the game was long over. We neared the therapy room.
“Are you ready?” Markus asked, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his dimples winking at me.
“Let’s go.” I swung open the door, biting back a grin as my brother smiled at me then glared at Markus.
“We need to talk.” He arched a black brow.
“Yeah, yeah, we do.” Markus nodded, his grin wide.
“I wouldn’t be grinning if I were you.” Bryce stood, his hulking form intimidating, and I lost the battle with my smile and began to giggle.
“Not helping, Ava.” He spoke to me quickly then turned his attention back to Markus. “I hope you’re not too fond of him…”
“Dude. Chill. Or should I say… brother?” Markus shrugged then lifted my left hand, wiggling my fingers so the light would catch the ring.
“Holy shit. Really?” Bryce blinked then looked from Markus to me then back. “Dude! Yes! I knew you had it in you!” He walked forward and fist-bumped my brother then pulled him into a hug. Thankfully, Markus had dropped my hand or else I’d have been pulled in as well.
“Dude, you doubted me? I’m hurt,” Markus teased as Bryce released him.
“Nah, but I’m kinda shocked at you, Av. He wore you down fast. You’re not settling, right? Because, let’s be honest, you could do better than—”
Markus shoved him.
I smiled at both of them before answering. “I’m sure. Honestly, I’m shocked he wants to be tied to you. I mean, he already has to put up with your sorry ass every day. Now he’s going to be related to you.” I shook my head sadly.
“Whatever. He’s already my brother. We’re just making if official.”
“Happy to make your bromance dreams come true.” I rolled my eyes but loved the way he was right.
We really were a family.
I’d missed that. I’d always had Bryce, but now… I had Markus too. Really had him. And it fit, perfectly. So many things that I had thought were lost forever… I had found.
And I got to keep them forever.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
OFFSIDES
Elise Faber
ASIDE FROM WRITING romance, Elise’s passions are chocolate, Star Wars, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team — the Sharks! — are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise is the mom to two exuberant boys and is thoroughly addicted to Dancing With the Stars. Connect with her on facebook (facebook.com/elisefaberauthor), twitter (@faberelise), instagram (@elisefaber) or www.elisefaber.com.
OFF GUARD
Stephanie Fournet
STEPHANIE FOURNET, author of five novels including Leave a Mark and You First, lives in Lafayette, Louisiana — not far from the Saint Streets where her novels are set. She shares her home with her husband John and their needy dogs Gladys and Mabel, and sometimes their daughter Hannah even comes home from college to visit them. When she isn’t writing romance novels, Stephanie is usually helping students get into college or running. She loves hearing from fans, so look for her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and stephaniefournet.com.
OFF LIMITS
Kristin Vayden
KRISTIN'S inspiration for the romance she writes comes from her tall, dark and handsome husband with killer blue eyes. With five children to chase, she is never at a loss for someone to kiss, something to cook or some mess to clean but she loves every moment of it! Life is full — of blessings and adventure! Needless to say she’s a big fan of coffee and wine… and living in Washington she’s within walking distance of both! Follow her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kristinvaydenauthor) And Instagram @kristinkatjoyce and Twitter @KristinVayden! You can al
so sign up for her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/795f9.
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