Accidentally Yours, Mr. Grumpy

The Photos

Ava grinned, taking his hand. "Come see."

She led him to a small room off the main ballroom, decorated simply with photos. Dozens of photos. Noah as a child, grinning gap-toothed at a birthday party. Noah as a teenager, awkward and tall, holding a science fair trophy. Noah with his sister—his sister —laughing on a beach, both of them young and happy and whole.

"Where did you get these?" Noah's voice was barely a whisper.

"Your mother. I called her. She was thrilled to help." Ava squeezed his hand. "I thought... the gala supports children's charities. And I thought people should know why. Should know who you are, underneath the CEO. Should know about Emily."

Noah stared at the photos, his face a mask of conflicting emotions. "You had no right," he said, but his voice cracked.

"I had every right. I'm your wife, remember? Even if it's fake, I get to care about you. I get to want people to see the real you."

"Ava—"

"And the real you is not just a billionaire grump, Noah. The real you is someone who started a charity in his sister's name. Who donates millions every year to prevent drunk driving. Who keeps her photo in his desk drawer where no one can see it because he's afraid of what people will think if they know he has a heart."

Noah turned to her, and his eyes were wet. "How do you know about the desk drawer?"

"I snooped. I'm nosy. It's a flaw."

"It's not a flaw." He reached out, his hand trembling as he cupped her face. "Ava, I—"

The door opened. Kevin, Noah's assistant, poked his head in. "Mr. Blackwood, the guests are arriving. Mr. Asano is here."

Noah dropped his hand like he'd been burned. The moment shattered. Mr. Grumpy returned, walls slamming into place with audible force.

"We'll continue this later," he said, but they both knew he wouldn't.