Twist (Off Balance 4)

"Kova, you gave

me too much. This is…it's beautiful. Thank you so, so much."

"There is no such thing as too much when it comes to you."

Forty-Eight

His words tickled my neck.

I was very close to telling him I loved him.

Kova placed the necklace around my neck. Turning around, I grabbed his jaw and pulled it to mine. Inhaling, I kissed him. Kova's strong arms wound around my back. He lifted me up and placed me on the counter and stepped between my legs, kissing me back with the same intensity. I loved when he did that. I loved when he gave back ten times harder. Like we were proving who loved each other more.

"I love you, Ria," he admitted only for me to hear.

I licked my lips. "Ever since my secret came out and we talked about it, you tell me you love me all the time."

"Life is too precious. We take it for granted. I realized that when I found out how sick you were. I told you I do not want to hold back from you anymore. I want you to know how I feel all the time."

I smiled softly at him. "Thank you," I whispered. My fingers twirled the hair around his neck as we stared at each other.

"Can I come out now?" Avery yelled from my bedroom.

My smile widened, and Kova and I started laughing together.

"I love seeing you laugh," I told him. Then I angled my head and yelled, "Yes!" to Avery.

Avery showed no shame and came bouncing out of my bedroom.

"Show me the goods."

Shaking my head, I lifted my wrist and picked up the necklace to show her. She came up next to us and Kova scooted a little closer to me.

"Oh, you did good, Coach," she said as she examined the jewelry, then turned to Kova. "Do you have a brother?"

I chuckled and Kova side-eyed me in confusion. Avery was a whole lot of personality to handle if you didn't know her.

She patted his arm. "I'm just playing. I don't do brothers anymore," she said, then walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

My cheeks flamed, but God, did I love my best friend.

"So I have heard," Kova responded.

My gaze snapped back to him and I took note of his face. My lips twitched. He wrapped an arm around me again, laughter highlighting his eyes.

"You told him!” she yelled at me, lifting her arm. Her gaze was accusatory but I knew she wasn't truly mad.

My jaw bobbed. "Sorry?"

"You're lucky it's your birthday and you're my bestie." She took a sip of water. "It's cool. I'm over it."

Kova let go of me and stepped back. He looked from me to Avery. I followed his gaze, trying to figure out what he was looking at.

"Why are you two wearing the same shirt? Is that a bestie thing?"

I burst out laughing over him saying bestie. It sounded like he’d eaten something sour.

Then he read the words. And he looked back and forth between us again.