Page 84 of Power Move

“I never want you to feel scared. And hey, objectify me any which way! I don’t mind.”

I giggled and shook my head. “I know. You always check in on me. And… that is what I need. It is taking me time to come to terms with the fact that you get aggro because you care. It’s not some sort of fucked up power move. It’s because you care and anger is your only emotion sometimes.”

“I am working on it. Since Dad died, it has gotten worse. I feel like everything is slipping through my fingers, Eva. I suck at all of it. I don’t want to suck at parenthood. I don’t want to suck at having a relationship with you—whatever that looks like. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Dad would have my ass if he was here and I didn’t step up.”

“So, you just want to do this because?—”

“I want to do this because I fucking love you, Eva,” Davey admitted.

As he said it, I froze. He did, too. He regretted it.

“I am sorry. That was… I didn’t know?—”

“It’s okay. You don’t love me. You couldn’t.”

Davey started slow, words coming to him as they filtered through his brain. “I… I did though. I do love you, Eva. And I’m sorry about that.”

“I don’t love you,” I said.

“That’s fine.” Davey looked down.

I grabbed his chin, pulling his eyes to mine. “Stop. I… I am so bad at this. I’m really scared to try with anyone, but Davey, I care about you. I do. I see how you care for me and the twins. Okay? It’s not that I couldneverlove you or that I’m not attracted to you. It’s the opposite. Those things make me want to run because I see you and I want this.”

“You think you could love me?”

“Maybe… I sort of hope so… someday. But I cannot promise I’ll ever say those words. So, if that is a dealbreaker, we really should stop any romantic?—”

The words didn’t make it out. Davey kissed me, pulling me close. He breathed me in, our tongues tangling. To my surprise, I didn’t fear it. I couldn’t tell him I loved him because I didn’t, but his vulnerability and acceptance that I needed time was what I longed for.

Davey pulled away, his forehead resting on mine. “I don’t want that. I can wait. But, I don’t want to do more out of respect for your parents. So, let’s part ways before I become even more obsessed with you and do something stupid.”

I laughed. “Okay. I’ll show you upstairs.”

I turned off all the lights. Davey followed me upstairs, carrying the ridiculous pillow. His heart was so full. Davey couldn’t hide the way he felt andwasthe sort of man who would teach our boys to be vulnerable.

“Here’s your room.” I handed him towels and tried to race away before crying overwhelmed me.

“Thanks. Are you okay?”

“I feel like I learned a lot about you tonight,” I said. “I’m emotional. I’m glad, though. It feels like we’re getting somewhere.”

“It does,” Davey agreed.

“Sleep well,” I said.

Davey kissed my forehead. “Goodnight. I love you.”

On that note, I left. I unfurled the snake-like pillow and tucked it into bed. I laughed as I found myself curling up, my hips properly supported for the first time in months. I could finally retire my stash of too-soft pillows. Davey was onto something. I’d never admit he was right, but I did adore his stubbornness right about now. In the end, I had the best night of sleep in nearly a year.

24.THE DELPHINES

Eva

I stood before a massive skyscraper,staring at the address. I looked back at my phone. Yes, this was the place. I stepped up, my overnight bag on my shoulder, and spoke to the doorman rushing to greet me.

“Hi, I’m here to see David,” I said. “I’m supposed to go up.”

“Ah, are you Miss Pavlak?” He asked, expression cheerful.