Ava knows who Jimmy O'Brien is - her first love and soulmate. Forced to spend time apart, Ava and Jim deal with their trust issues and insecurities.
When the lovers finally reunite and resolve to fight for each other, their fragile happiness is put...
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I'd been in a haze since the accident. It was a strange sensation of knowing what happened, and knowing what wouldn't, but still not feeling that any of it was real.
Everyone tiptoed around me. Harper, Dad, and Declan took turns to be with me while I was in the hospital as if they feared I'd break down if they left me alone for longer than a few minutes.
Now that we were at Jim’s parents, I saw more pitiful looks although his mom and dad didn't know the whole story. They knew I fell, but not that we lost our baby. I told Jim he didn't have to keep it secret from his family. We weren't kids but two responsible adults, and I could handle them knowing the truth.
What I couldn't handle was the crestfallen look on Jim’s face, and him not sleeping for the last few nights. We learned to communicate and promised to share what troubled us, and yet, he seemed distant, and I didn't know what to do.
After the welcome meal at Aria and Axel’s, I excused myself and went to Jim’s childhood bedroom while Jim stayed with his parents downstairs. I wasn't naive enough to believe I'd be able to sleep without a pill, but sitting for longer than half an hour hurt.
I lay on my side and covered myself with a blanket. Fifteen minutes later, someone knocked on the door.
I smoothed my hair and propped myself up, resting my back against the pillows. “Come in.”
The door opened, and ceramic tea cups clinked on the tray Aria carried into the room. “I brought you some tea,” she said. “The boys are talking downstairs, and I wanted to check if you needed company. If you’d rather I left, just say it.”
I shook my head, hoping the small smile I gave Jim’s mom looked genuine. “No. Please, stay.”
Aria left the tray on the bedside table and handed me a cup. “Jasmine green tea,” she said. “And some chocolate.”
I wrapped my hands around the hot ceramics. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Aria sat on the bed by my side and took a sip from her cup. She probably expected me to be the first to speak, but I had no clue what to say although I wanted to get stuff off my chest. I sat straighter and winced despite my resolve not to show people I was in pain.
“Does it hurt?” Aria asked.
“A bit. My headache is better. It was awful the first day.”
“Poor thing. I got scared when Jim called us because I'd never heard his voice break like that.”
“That's because we…”
I swallowed a drink of the scorching liquid, barely registering the burn. After everything that happened, I was strangely numb to some things.
Aria’s green eyes softened as she rested her gaze on my face. “Are you two alright? I swear I don't want to pry. Just want you to know I'm here if you need to talk.”
