Chapter 17
It had been almost a week since her life had changed for the better. She had Ruby with her at all times and no longer had to stress about her going hungry or being taken care of. And she had a boyfriend, whom she loved dearly.
Ava sat at her computer working on edits. This was her last free weekend before her busy season started. Typically, summer was when she had her most bookings, but she had solid bookings through the rest of winter, spring, and summer between family photo sessions, senior pictures, and weddings.
Cole walked into her bedroom and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. They had been sharing a bed since they had made it official earlier that week, but Ava still used the desk in her room for work.
“Hey, do you have a minute?”
Ava swiveled in her chair and looked up at him with a smile on her face. “Of course. What’s up?”
He took her hands and pulled her to her feet before wrapping his arms around her. She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked at him with her chin on his chest.
“How would you like to go get a couples massage with me and soak in the hot springs at Rousseau Paradis?”
She sighed. “That sounds amazing, but I can’t leave Ruby.”
“What if I said I had that taken care of?”
Ava looked at him curiously, but before she could say anything, there was a knock on the front door.
Cole smiled brightly and let her go, walking through the house to the door. Ruby was curled up on the couch reading a book.
“Who is it?” Ruby asked.
Cole pulled the door open. “Right on time.”
Katie and Michelle walked in.
“Surprise!” they said at the same time.
Ruby hopped off the couch and ran over to them, throwing her arms around their waists. “What’s the surprise?”
“How would you like to have a slumber party with us at Katie’s house?” Michelle asked.
“Really?” Ruby asked, hopping up and down in excitement. Then she turned toward Ava. “Can I? Please?”
Ava looked at all the beaming faces in front of her before landing on Ruby’s. “Yes, if you want to.”
“I really do,” Ruby said.
“Then, of course, you can.”
“Yay!” Ruby cheered and then threw her arms around Ava. “I’m going to go pack.” She took off for her bedroom, and Ava turned wide eyes to Katie and Michelle.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” she asked.
Katie waved a hand in the air. “Easy peasy. It’ll be fun.”
Ruby came out of her room only a moment later carrying a duffel bag. “All ready to go.”
Ava chuckled. “Let me check your bag real quick.”
She went through it and sent Ruby to grab a few more items before zipping it back up. “Okay, you’re all set.” Then she squatted down to her level and asked softly, “Are you sure you’re good with this?”
“Yes, very good.” Ruby gave her a tight hug and then ran over to Katie and Michelle. “Let’s go.”
They laughed, and the three of them waved goodbye before disappearing out the front door. Ava watched them walk to Katie’s car.
“I gave them the booster seat from my car,” Cole said. “So don’t worry about that.”
She nodded and watched as they got Ruby settled and then drove away. It felt weird seeing her sister ride off with someone else. It was different when it was with Cole, but anyone else felt strange.
“You okay?” Cole asked. “I didn’t want to spring it on you, but I figured if Ruby was okay with it, then you would be too. But if you’re uncomfortable, we can go get her.”
“No, it’s fine. I know she’s in great hands with your sisters. It just feels weird to let her go,” Ava said. Then she turned around and wrapped her arms around Cole. “But what’s this I hear about a massage and hot springs?”
Cole laughed. “Let’s get packed, and I’ll show you.”
Cole and Ava walked into the resort hand-in-hand.
Cole had only been there a handful of times growing up, but it was more of a tourist place than anything.
He knew Ava had been there to take photos for weddings, but he wasn’t sure she had ever gone to the hot springs or for a massage to treat herself.
He suspected not, since she had a bright smile on her face and an excitement he hadn’t seen before.
They checked into their room and dropped their bags off before heading down to the spa for their massages.
Cole kissed Ava’s forehead before they parted ways to get dressed in their robes in the designated locker rooms. Once he was ready, he was brought to the room where his massage would take place, finding Ava already there.
The attendant left the room to give them a moment to get on their tables.
By the time the massage was done, Ava looked the most relaxed he had ever seen her. The smile on her face was complete bliss, and he mentally patted himself on the back. Once they were dressed, they went into the restaurant for dinner before going back to their room.
“Ready for the hot springs?” Cole asked.
“Yes. Hey.” She took his hand in hers and pulled him closer. “Thank you for this. I didn’t realize how much I needed it. That massage was amazing.”
“I can give you another type of massage later.” He bounced his eyebrows up and down.
She laughed. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
Once they were wearing their swimsuits, they went down to the bar to grab drinks before getting into the hot springs. They settled into the hottest pool before leaning back and looking around. It was busy with tourists, and they recognized very few people there.
Ava held up her fishbowl margarita and whispered, “If I drink this, will you refuse to have sex with me?”
Cole snorted and almost spit his drink out before coughing and thumping his chest with his fist. “If you want me to do it with you, I will. But give me your consent now, and I’ll ask you again later too.”
“I consent to it all.”
He laughed. “I’ll ask again later. But don’t get wasted. I don’t want to have sex with you when you’re wasted.”
Ava took a sip of her drink. “I’m pretty sure they forgot most of the alcohol in here. I can barely taste it.”
“Good. I don’t like drunken sex anyway.”
“Me neither.”
He chuckled. “Mm-hmm. Sure. Says the woman who got the largest drink on the menu.”
She slapped his chest with the back of her hand and giggled.
Cole tugged her closer to his side and kissed the side of her head. “I love you, Ava Rose.”
She looked up at him with more love than he ever thought possible. “I love you, Cole Miller.”