An Unlikely Bride (Lucas & Ava)

“What makes you think that?”

“You’re smiling in that vague way that says you’re not really comfortable. But we don’t have to get this one. There are plenty of other places.”

I clear my throat. “I don’t have anything against this particular penthouse.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

I bite my lower lip, wondering how to word my discomfiture. I don’t want to sound like I’m whining about stuff that most would be thrilled to have, but…

As my hesitation stretches out, Lucas’s frown becomes deeper. “Is it Jennifer? If you want, I can get a male realtor.”

I chuckle. “As I much as I appreciate the offer, it’s not her. She seems nice enough. It’s me debating if we really need this kind of space. When we talked about it, it seemed all right. But I’m just wondering if this can be a home where both of us can be comfortable.”

His gaze softens as he squats before me. He reaches out and holds my hands, his palms warm. “Listen. Don’t think about the cost or the size. None of that stuff matters. What matters is that we’re together. What matters is that we love each other. I’ve lived in a big mansion, and I’ve lived in a small cottage. Home is being with someone you love. All this”—he sweeps the multimillion-dollar penthouse with an arm—“it’s just a…prop. A disposable prop.”

My heart swells with emotion, and I can’t speak through the hot knot in my throat. This man just slays me with his honesty. So I do the only thing that I can. I nod and kiss him softly.

“Is that a yes?” he whispers against my lips.

I nod again. “Yes. This place is perfect because I have you.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ava

After telling Jennifer to contact Rachel to go ahead with the lease, Lucas takes me to Elliot’s place. He also gives me Rachel’s contact info in case I needed anything from her, which I doubt. She’s his assistant, not mine, and I don’t feel comfortable using her for my personal tasks.

I cuddle next to Lucas in the car, enjoying the closeness. The driver can see us in the rearview mirror, and maybe I shouldn’t be so obvious, but I don’t care. I can’t bear to be away from him any more than I have to.

To be honest, I’m a bit nervous about meeting Elliot and his wife. I only know what I’ve read on Google, and he seems unpredictable and sort of out of control.

My nerves get even more frazzled when I sense Lucas starting to stiffen as we get closer to Elliot’s home. “You all right?”

“Why?”

“You seem tense.”

He waggles his eyebrow. “Because I’m horny.”

I laugh, but I know he’s not telling me the full truth. Before I can probe, his phone buzzes.

Lucas takes it out of his pocket

and checks something, a frown appearing. “Do you just want to skip it?” he asks suddenly.

“What?”

“You’re going to meet everyone when we go to Ryder’s Thanksgiving dinner. We don’t have to meet Elliot today.”

I straighten and push the hair out of his face. He doesn’t flinch when my fingers brush his scar—a huge change that shows how much he trusts and feels secure in my love. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Just…” He shrugs, then clears his throat. “Nothing.”

“Lucas. We promised to be honest with each other, remember?”

He nods, inhales deeply. “His wife’s younger sister’s going to join us. She’s a teenager, and teenagers are bipolar at best.”

I laugh. “Oh, come on. I’m sure she’s fine.”