Page 55 of Working For Her Sweet Treats
Ava hesitates and her voice grows quieter.
“And because when you look at me, I don’t feel like an expensive mistake.”
I turn fully toward her.
“You could never be that.”
“You don’t know what I cost yet.”
“I own a construction company. I’m accustomed to overruns.”
She laughs, and the last of the tension inside me loosens. Then Ava becomes serious again.
“I need to be able to say no without worrying that you’ll decide my answer is inconvenient.”
“You do.”
“And I need to stop assuming that every mistake means the same thing is happening all over again.”
I reach for her hand but stop before touching it. Ava notices. She places her fingers in mine.
“My ex made me doubt myself,” she says. “You didn’t arrange that appointment because you thought I was foolish. You did it because you were scared something might happen to me.”
“That doesn’t excuse it.”
“No. But it helps me understand it.”
Her thumb moves across my knuckles.
“I don’t need you to rescue me, Jake. I know I’m difficult and drive people crazy. I probably drove my ex crazy too.”
“Ava, you drive me crazy … just in another way.”
I lift our joined hands and kiss her fingers. “Tell me what you need.”
“Just you.”
That phrase nearly stops my heart. Ava steps closer until her body rests against mine.
“I need you to ask before taking over,” she says. “I need you to listen even when you already know the solution. And I need you to understand that asking for your help does not make me incapable.”
“I can do that.”
“You’ll get it wrong sometimes.”
“I probably will.”
“So will I.”
I slide one hand carefully around her waist. “Are we negotiating a relationship?”
“It appears so.”
“What are the terms?”
“Honesty. Permission. No unauthorized contractors.”
“That last one feels unusually specific.”
