“You’re a part of this family now too, Avery.”
“Do you think they’ll like me? Will they think I’m lying?”
Amy looks at her and grins. “Darling, they only need to look at you. You look just like your father. Just like our other children.”
“If you’re sure…I’d love to meet everyone. Do you think I could bring my boyfriend?”
“Sure. We’d love to meet him.”
Joseph pulls Avery close and hugs her tightly, like a father that openly expresses his love for his children.
“I love you, Avery. I can’t express how incredibly grateful I am that you’ve found us.”
“Me too.”
She follows them out of their house and directs herself toward her vehicle, stopping to wave to them as Josep
h helps Amy into their car.
Avery sits down in her vehicle and takes a few deep breaths. She feels more content than she has in a long time. She’s astounded at how welcome and open they were to her arrival. It could have gone downhill if they weren’t so deeply in love – a love that she hopes she shares with Logan.
After starting the car, Avery heads out of the neighborhood and toward Logan’s home.
Maybe Logan and I will grow old together, loving each other more each day.
Wow, talk about a complete one-eighty. At first, Avery couldn’t handle more than friendship. Now all she can think of is introducing him to her father as the love of her life.
Chapter Eight
LOGAN WAITS PATIENTLY FOR Avery to arrive back at his home. She texted him when she left telling him that all had gone well, but he knows he’ll be able to look in her eyes and see the truth. She’s entitled to have a family that offers her all the love she deserves.
While Logan waits for her to pull into his driveway he answers a text from Austin.
Austin: Hey man. Have you heard from Nikki?
Me: Naw. What’s up?
Austin: Let me know if you or Avery hear from her. I need to talk to her.
Me: Will do. You ok?
Austin: Yea, I just need to speak with her. I totally fucked things up.
Me: Well I’ll send her your way if I hear from her.
Austin: Thanks.
Logan’s worries about him. Since Nikki left he’s been acting a bit off kilter, definitely a far cry from the womanizing man he met three years ago. Nikki is a pretty strong woman so he must have done something major to piss her off. Guess they’ll have to find a replacement for her at the office as well, Logan thinks in annoyance. He hadn’t taken her seriously when she said she was quitting.
A sound in the driveway alerts Logan to Avery’s arrival. He jumps from the couch and races outside. As she exits the car, he wraps her in his arms and holds her close.
“How did it go?”
“It was...it was incredible, Logan. They were so much more welcoming than I could have ever imagined. I...I have a family,” she cried into his shoulder, the excitement of the day taking its toll.
“I’m so happy for you, Avery. You deserve this and so much more. I knew they’d welcome you.”
“Thank you, Logan.”