“But it’s not your fucking job, Hallie!”
“No, but it’s my fucking MOM!” I yelled at the top of my lungs.
Our elevated and breathless panting cut through the otherwise silent apartment, and our argument came to a crashing halt.
“You’d do the same,” I murmured.
“You bet I would, but I wouldn’t do italone,”he seethed through gritted teeth.
I rolled my eyes and tipped my head back, wishing I could find sanity on the ceiling. “And we’re back to this again.”
“No, we’re back to you being a stubborn bitch again.”
Avery’s well-placed taunt lit the fire in my belly. Forever coaxing it to life, he had a knack for making my determination burn brighter and harder than anyone else ever could.
“You’re welcome,” he added, with a half-cocked smirk once he saw my thoughts swimming in my eyes.
“I hate that I love you,” I sassed, but not meaning a single word of hate.
“So do I.” His voice softened and his eyebrows drew up at the center, casting his expression into complete vulnerability. “It means there’s more to lose.”
“You can put the sentiments away for later, Ayve. Our old rule still stands: no goodbyes, show no reluctance of leaving, depart with a clear head and frozen heart, and for fuck’s sake…”
Nostalgia swamped his eyes as he grinned and finished my sentence. “Don’t die before you get home.”
I snickered and cuffed him on the shoulder. “That’s right.”
His smile thawed more of the tension. “I’mma hold you to that.”
“You’d better.”
Our joviality eventually slid and gave way to more somber matters. “So, what’s your plan?” Ayve asked.
“I’ve got a session with Lorna tomorrow.” He nodded, putting two-and-two together about Lorna being my counselor. “Then my tickets are booked for the day after.”
“You’re flying civilian? And I’m assuming you’ll have ongoing sessions?”
I nodded. “Yes to both. Sessions with Lorna will continue via video link while I’m away.”
Avery frowned and acknowledged my arrangements with a hum. “If you need me at all, I’m there. Just say the word, Hells.”
“Uh huh? You and whose army?”
He threw his arms wide and pointed to himself. “I am the army, babe.”
Scoffing, because it was both true and false, I rolled my eyes and fought to keep a straight face. “Really? Because I heard you were rolling with the Navy boys now.”
His laughter encapsulated me as he put his hands on my hips and tugged me close. “That’s only temporary. Which reminds me, chances are I won’t be here in San D when you get back. We need to talk about us.”
“Ayve.” While I aimed for resigned, his name came out weighted with unintentional disappointment. “Long distance never works out. We know this.”
“Just—” His jaw ticked with repressed irritation, “—let’s see where this takes us, okay?”
I pushed up onto tippy-toes and kissed the corner of his mouth. “Okay.”
He recoiled in surprise. “What? No argument?” His eyes narrowed. “What game are you playing?”
I snickered and grabbed his face to force his mouth to mine. “No games, I promise.”