Should I tell her what happened? He thought about it, then typed back. Not yet. Tell her Victoria had to work late. I'll explain tomorrow.
Okay. Love you. Love you, too. He set the phone down and leaned back, exhaustion hitting him all at once. He closed his eyes just for a second.
When he woke up, it was morning. Pale sunlight filtered through the blinds. Victoria was awake watching him. "You stayed? " she said. "Of course I stayed. " "You didn't have to. " "Yes, I did. " She smiled small and tired.
Thank you for what? For being here. For not leaving. I told you you're not getting rid of me that easy. She reached for his hand.
Good. They released her that afternoon with strict instructions to rest and follow up with her doctor. Ethan drove her back to her apartment, a sleek, modern space that felt more like a hotel than a home. Everything was white and chrome and untouched. You've never invited me here before, he said, looking around.
There's nothing to see. It's where you live. No, it's where I sleep sometimes. He understood what she meant. There were no photos, no personal touches, nothing that said Victoria lived here.
It was a shell. Come stay with us, he said. She looked at him. What? Come stay at my place just for a few days until you're feeling better.
Ethan, I can't impose. Eat. You're not imposing. I'm inviting. What about Ava?
She'll be thrilled. Victoria hesitated. Are you sure? I'm sure. She nodded slowly.
Okay, just for a few days. However long you need. They packed a bag. Victoria moved through her apartment like a stranger, picking out clothes with no attachment, and drove to Ethan's place. His sister met them at the door with Ava, who took one look at Victoria's bandaged forehead and gasped.
"What happened? " "I had a little accident," Victoria said. "But I'm fine. " "Does it hurt? " "A little. " Ava's eyes filled with tears. "I don't want you to be hurt. " Victoria knelt down, wincing slightly. "Hey, I'm okay. See, just a few bruises.
Can I hug you, please? Ava wrapped her arms around Victoria's neck, gentle and careful. Victoria closed her eyes, holding the small girl like she was the most precious thing in the world. Ethan's sister caught his eye, raising an eyebrow. He shook his head slightly.
Later that night, they all had dinner together. Victoria sat at the table in borrowed sweatpants and one of Ethan's old t-shirts, looking more relaxed than he'd ever seen her. Ava chattered non-stop about school, about her friends, about the book Victoria had given her last week. And then the dragon turned out to be nice. Can you believe it?
I can, Victoria said. Sometimes the things we're afraid of turn out to be exactly what we need. Ava considered this. Like broccoli? Victoria laughed.
Sure, like broccoli. After dinner, Ava insisted Victoria read to her again. Ethan watched from the doorway as Victoria settled into the now familiar spot on Ava's bed. Book in hand, she read with more confidence this time, doing different voices for different characters. Ava giggled and asked questions and made Victoria read her favorite parts twice.
When Ava finally fell asleep, Victoria carefully extracted herself and joined Ethan in the living room. "She's amazing," Victoria said, settling onto the couch beside him. She is. And she's yours. She is.
Victoria was quiet for a moment. I never thought I wanted this. Kids, family, the whole domestic thing. I thought I was above it somehow. That I had more important things to focus on.
And now, now I think I was just scared of what? Of wanting it and not being good enough. Of trying and failing. He took her hand. You're not failing.
How do you know? Because you're here. Because you show up. Because Ava lights up every time she sees you. Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
I love her. I didn't expect to, but I do. I love her so much it terrifies me. I know the feeling. And I love you, she continued, which is even more terrifying.
He pulled her closer and she rested her head on his shoulder. What if I mess this up? You won't. But what if I do? Then we'll figure it out together like we always do.
She was quiet for a long time. Then I want to be more than just someone who visits. I want to be part of this. Really part of it. His heart stuttered.
What are you saying? I'm saying I want to be here with you and Ava. Not as a guest, as family. Victoria, I know it's fast. I know we haven't even been together that long, but when that car hit me, all I could think was that I'd wasted so much time.
Time I could have spent with you, with her, and I don't want to waste anymore. He turned to face her fully. Are you asking to move in eventually? Maybe. I don't know.
She laughed, frustrated. I'm not good at this. You're doing fine. I'm panicking a little. I just I need you to know that I'm serious about this about us.
I'm not going anywhere. I know. Do you? Yes. She kissed him soft and certain.
When they pulled apart, she was smiling. So she said, "How does this work? " "I have no idea. " "Great, we're both clueless. We'll figure it out. You keep saying that because it keeps being true. The next morning, Ethan woke to find Victoria already up making breakfast or trying to.
She stood in front of the stove staring at a pan of eggs like they'd personally offended her. Need help? He asked. I can make eggs. Can you?
She shot him a look. I run a multi-million dollar company. I can make eggs. Those are scrambled. I know.
You said you were making fried. Plans change. He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She leaned back into him. I don't know how to do this, she admitted.
The domestic stuff, cooking breakfast, being here in the morning. I've spent my entire adult life in boardrooms and offices. I don't know how to be this person. What person? The person who makes breakfast and reads bedtime stories and goes to school events.
You don't have to be anyone but yourself. What if myself isn't enough? He turned her around to face him. Victoria, you're more than enough. You always have been.
I'm so used to being in control, knowing exactly what to do. But this, you and Ava, I don't have a playbook for this. Good, because neither do I. We're making it up as we go. That's terrifying.
Yeah, but it's also kind of great. She kissed him slow and deep. When they pulled apart, the eggs were burning. Damn it, she muttered, turning off the stove. Theal, he offered.
Theiel. They ate breakfast with Ava, who was thrilled to have Victoria there in the morning. After Ava left for school, Victoria and Ethan sat at the table, coffee going cold between them. I need to tell you something, Victoria said. Okay.
The board isn't happy about me stepping back. They think I'm making a mistake. What do you think? I think they're wrong, but it's still hard. Hail Industries has been my entire identity for so long.
Walking away from that, even partially feels like losing myself. You're not walking away. You're just making space for other things. Uh, I know, but knowing it and feeling it are different. Do you regret it?
No. But I'm scared of what? Of failing at this? At us? At being what you and Ava need.
He reached across the table and took her hand. You're not going to fail. You can't promise that. No, but I can promise that even if you stumble, we'll be here to catch you. She squeezed his hand.
I don't deserve you. That's not your call to make. She smiled. You're insufferably optimistic. Someone has to be.