Straight Up Love (The Boys of Jackson Harbor #2)(93)

“I miss it. I miss hanging out with you, and hearing you geek out about beer.” She pulls back and looks into my eyes. “Colton says I’m afraid of change, but that’s because I like my life. I especially like the parts when I’m with you.”

“You can work at Jackson Brews anytime you want, but that doesn’t get you off the hook for pursuing a job you love.”

She nods. “Oh, I know. That’s why I talked to the board about expanding the Jackson Harbor Children’s Theater program into a year-round community-outreach program. I’ll have drama clubs for all ages in the afternoons, and plays year-round.”

I gape at her. “Yes. Ava, that’s perfect.”

“I think so too. The pay won’t be much, but I have grant money coming in and am eligible for more now that we’re offering afterschool programs.” She drags her bottom lip between her teeth and studies me.

I press her hand to my chest, afraid she might disappear if I let go. “What can I do to help?”

“Well, the building I’m leasing needs some work, so I might hire you for some underpaid manual labor if you’re up for it.”

“You don’t have to ask twice. Anything.”

She arches a brow. “Even if I make you do the work shirtless?”

I pull her onto the floor with me so we’re both lying on our sides. “You could talk me into anything right now. Just say that you’re mine.”

“I’m yours.”

“Damn right you are.” Grinning, I pull her body against mine.

“Ellie is pregnant,” she says before I can kiss her, and I’m surprised enough that I pull back.

“Colton’s?” I ask, knowing the answer. Levi might be in love with his best friend’s girl, but he wouldn’t act on it.

“I assume so. She didn’t say otherwise.”

“Does he know?”

“Not yet.” She drags in a ragged breath. “I felt bad enough before, but now that she’s pregnant it’s going to be a bigger mess when Molly finally tells Colt about Noah.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

She props herself up on one elbow and studies me. “Did you see him when you went up there? The kid is obviously a McKinley.”

I open my mouth and then close it again. “Yeah, the family resemblance is really clear.” But is that because Colton is the father? That’s a lot less disturbing than what I thought before leaving Molly’s, but I won’t upset Ava by speculating out loud. This is Molly’s secret. She’s the only one with the answers.

“I told Molly I’d give her three months to figure out how she’s going to tell Colton. I can’t keep this secret from my brother.” She shakes her head. “What a mess. I don’t want Ellie to be hurt.”

“She’ll be okay. She has you.” I roll over her, resting my weight on my elbows and look down into her dark eyes. “And so do I.”

“I suppose you do.” She grins. “I think you always did.”

I lower my mouth to hers and decide it’s the perfect time to show her just how long I’ve wanted her and how many things I’ve imagined doing to her right in this very tree fort.





Ava


Two months later . . .



Lilly is officially the cutest Fern who’s ever graced the stage of Charlotte’s Web, and this production is possibly the best I’ve ever directed.

“What do you think?” Sydney asks me backstage after the cast is gone and the audience has cleared out. Tonight was the last performance of the summer, and Sydney and Lance have been by my side through the whole thing, helping kids learn their lines and overcome their fears of performing in front of an audience. I’m not sure what’s better—watching the young kids perform or the older ones teach them. Either way, this is the best job in the world.

“I think it’s perfect,” I say, smiling. “I couldn’t ask for more.”

“Will we get to help next year?” she asks. “And meet at your new building for drama club?”

I grin. “Absolutely.”

“I can’t wait,” Sydney says, and next to her, Lance gives an uncharacteristically excited fist pump.

“Excuse me,” Jake says, making all three of us turn away from the stage. “I’d like to congratulate the director.” He holds out a bouquet of roses. “For my girl.”

I shake my head. “You didn’t have to do that, Jake.”

He puts the roses on a table between a couple of prop boxes and pulls me into his arms. “I’m trying to get on your good side so you’ll come home with me tonight.”

Between the production and gearing up for my new program, my summer has been busier than ever, but most nights I’m at Jake’s or he’s at my house. Sleep has definitely taken a back seat to other priorities the last two months, and I couldn’t be happier. “You might be able to talk me into that.”

He lowers his mouth to mine, and the teenagers behind him snicker.

“We’ll give you some privacy, Miss McKinley,” Lance says.

I wave to them and smack Jake’s hands away when they drift from my waist to my ass. “Behave,” I whisper.

“I’d rather not.” His next kiss is longer, lingering, and I get swept under the spell of his hands sliding up and down my sides.