The Magnolia Sisters (Magnolia Sisters #1) - Michelle Major Page 0,112
Joe shot back.
Avery pressed her lips together to keep from grinning as Gray squeezed shut his eyes in evident frustration. “This was a terrible idea,” he said softly.
“It’s working for me,” she told him, restating Joe’s words in her own way.
As he drew closer, Meredith and Carrie stepped away. “Is it?” he asked, hope filling his gaze.
She nodded.
“But you’re going to need to do better than what they said,” Meredith told him before Carrie yanked her toward the crowd.
“I’m sorry,” Gray said, glancing over his shoulder and then back at Avery. “For acting like an idiot.”
“Forgiven,” she answered immediately.
He massaged a hand along the back of his neck, gazing at her with a sexy half smile that made her toes curl. “You’re going to let me off that easily?”
“Only if you’ll do the same.” She bit down on her lip, then said, “I’m sorry for being scared to stay and fight for us. I should have told you everything about my past at the start.”
“I should have trusted you.” He reached out and smoothed a strand of hair away from her cheek. “I know you, Avery. I know who you are in your heart, and I know you’re one of the best things that ever happened to me.”
She shook her head. “Violet is the best.”
“I love you for saying that.”
“I’d never hurt either of you. You mean the world to me.”
“You are my world,” he told her. “You make everything better, brighter. I love you with every bit of my imperfect heart.”
“Imperfect?” she whispered with a laugh. “Are you sure that’s the right word?”
“You meant to say perfect,” Malcolm called, earning a round of laughter from their audience. “Women want a perfect love.”
“Imperfect,” he repeated, ignoring everyone else. His eyes darkened, the intensity in his gaze stealing her breath. “I’m not going to list my imperfections for you but I have plenty. I’m going to make mistakes but the one thing I can promise is that I’ll never stop loving you or working to be the man you deserve.” He laced their fingers together. “If you’ll give me another chance?”
Emotion swelled in Avery and she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed a kiss to the base of his neck. It was difficult to find the words to speak but he had to know she’d give him a million chances. She’d missed Gray so much. Missed being in his arms, talking to him and sharing the tiny moments of their days. Magnolia was the place she belonged, but he was her home. She’d never let him go again.
* * *
GRAY DREW BACK, waiting for Avery to respond to his question. Based on the way she’d nuzzled against him, he was betting on a yes. He still wanted to hear it out loud.
“Answer the boy,” Julie hollered from the front of the crowd. “He’s so nervous I can see his butt cheeks clenching.”
“Why didn’t I do this in private?” He let out a put-upon groan as Avery giggled.
“Are you nervous?” Her eyes danced as she stared up at him. “And how tight are your pants?”
“Is it time, Daddy?”
Gray smiled as Violet tugged on the hem of his shirt. She stayed behind him even as she peeked around to look at Avery.
“Don’t start with the shy act,” Avery said, crouching down and opening her arms. “I know it means you want something.”
Violet launched herself at Avery with a laugh, and the certainty of his love settled over him like a warm blanket. “I did my own braids,” she announced. “Crisscross and everything.”
Avery pretended to examine them closely, then nodded. “They look pretty darn good, kiddo. I suppose this means you don’t need me anymore.”
“I still like yours better,” Violet answered, almost cautiously. Gray understood that for his daughter, those words were as close to a grand gesture as she could offer.
“I’ll braid your hair anytime you’d like.” He watched as Avery dabbed at the corners of her eyes, knowing she must also realize the