“Better?" he asks as he looks up at me. "I'm sorry. For everything, Ava.”

“Please look at me, Ava.”

“Ava, wherever I'm going from now on, I'm taking you with me, baby.”

“Ava, you're asking me not to touch you. That goes against all of my instincts.”

“Don't mess with me, Ava," he says smugly, "You should know by now I always win.”

“No, you're not." He sounds very confident. "Ava, you've found out the worst about me and not run a mile. Well, you did, but you came back." He kisses my forehead. "Do you honestly think I'm bothered about my age?”

“I'm so, so sorry. I don't deserve it, but give me a chance." he squeezes me hard. "I need another chance.”