She closes her eyes and tips her face down. “I’m not pregnant.”
“What?”
“I took a test today. I was silly to think I might have been, but I kind of hoped . . . Maybe I’m foolish to think I might ever be.”
I can’t take it anymore, so I tilt her chin up so she’s looking at me and then lower my mouth to hers. She slides a hand into my hair and kisses me in return, but I pull away when I feel her shaking. I hold her gaze while I speak. “You’re the woman I love, and I want to be with you whether we can have kids or not.” I run my hands down her arms until I’m lacing our fingers together. “I’m in love with you. That didn’t change when I thought Noah might be my child, and that doesn’t change if you aren’t pregnant now or ever.”
“I know you’re not Harrison,” she says, searching my face. “I know that because you give everything, Jake. I want to be able to give something to you in return.”
I brush my lips across hers again and again. “This is all I want,” I whisper. “You. Just you.”
“Can I have my job back?”
I laugh against her mouth. “Is that what this is about? A job?”
“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.”