Page 26 of Royal Compromise


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***

We decide to make it a road trip, just the two of us and the open road stretching out before us. With the windows rolled down and the wind in our hair, we set off on our journey out of town.

As we drive, we share stories and laughter, our conversation flowing effortlessly as we lose ourselves in the joy of the moment. Absolutely no worries and or pondering on our doubts.

Eventually, we find ourselves driving through the picturesque countryside, with rolling hills and endless fields stretching out as far as the eye can see. “Let’s stop here,” Aria suggests, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she points to a dirt road leading off into the distance.

Without hesitation, I pull off the main road and onto the dirt path, the tires kicking up clouds of dust as we venture into the unknown. With each passing mile, the scenery changes, morphing from open fields to dense forests and rocky cliffs.

As we explore, we stumble upon a beautiful village with a wonderful atmosphere and beautiful scenery, each more beautiful than the last. And with each new discovery, our bond grows stronger, our hearts entwined as we share in the wonder and beauty of the world around us.

Amidst the beauty, we share moments of stolen glances and tender touches that speak volumes without a single word being spoken. And it is in these moments—as we sit together under the stars or watch the sunrise from a secluded mountain top that I feel a sense of peace wash over me, knowing that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be—with Aria by my side.

As our road trip comes to an end, we find ourselves back in Sweet Haven, our hearts full of memories and our souls enriched by the experiences we’ve shared. And as we sit together on her porch, watching the sun dip below the horizon, I know that this is just the beginning of our journey together—a journey filled with love, adventure, and endless possibilities.

We head inside as the evening settles in, and the sky outside darkens. Aria and I end up cozying up on the couch, a bowl of popcorn nestled between us as we prepare for a Netflix and chill kind of night. With the flickering glow of the television casting a warm ambiance over the room, we browse through the endless options of movies and TV shows; debating what to watch.

After much deliberation, we finally settled on a classic romantic comedy, both of us eager to lose ourselves in a world of love and laughter. As the opening credits roll, I reach for the popcorn, my fingers brushing against Aria’s as we both grab a handful.

We laugh and joke as we watch the movie, occasionally pausing to discuss the plot or make predictions about how it will end. And as the story unfolds on the screen, I find myself stealing glances at Aria, admiring the way the soft glow of the screen illuminates her features, casting a warm, golden light over her face.

As the movie comes to an end, we sit in comfortable silence, the sound of our breathing filling the room as we bask in the afterglow of the film. But our night is far from over, and we decide to have a game night.

With a deck of cards and a few board games at our disposal, we dive into a fierce competition, each of us determined to emerge victorious. We laugh and tease each other mercilessly as the games progress, our competitive spirits driving us to new heights of excitement.

But amidst the friendly competition, there are moments of tenderness and intimacy, stolen glances and lingering touches that speak volumes without a single word being spoken. And as the night wears on, I find myself falling more and more in love with Aria, grateful for every moment we share together.

As the clock ticks closer to midnight, we finally decide to call it a night. Our bodies weary from the excitement of the evening. With a yawn, Aria stretches out on the couch, her eyes drooping with exhaustion.

I smile and reach out to take her hand in mine, gently pulling her towards me until she’s nestled against my chest. “Let’s get some sleep,” I murmur, my voice soft and soothing as I press a kiss to the top of her head.

Aria nods sleepily, her breathing slowing as she relaxes against me. And as we drift off to sleep, wrapped in each other’s arms, I can’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me, knowing that this is exactly how we are supposed to be—together.

***

We drive back to Aria’s house after a lovely day in town with plans of spending the full weekend together. However, a sense of unease settles over me like a heavy blanket. I can’t shake the feeling of dread that gnaws at my insides, the worry that hangs heavy in the air.

The truth is, I’m not ready to move my business back to this town, and I know Aria has no plans to leave her beloved bakery behind to move to the city.

I steal a glance at Aria, who sits beside me, her profile illuminated by the soft glow of the dashboard lights. She looks lost in thought, her brow furrowed in concentration as she stares out the window. I wonder if she’s thinking about the same things that are weighing on my mind: our future, our dreams, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that stand in our way.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask, breaking the silence that hangs between us.

Aria turns to look at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotions. “Just thinking about everything,” she replies softly. “About us, about our future.”

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest, as I wait for her to continue. “It’s just...I love Sweet Haven, Cade,” she says, her voice tinged with sadness. “And I love my bakery. I don’t think I could ever leave.”

I reach out to take her hand in mine, squeezing it gently in a gesture of comfort. “I understand,” I say, my voice filled with sincerity. “And I don’t want to ask you to leave, but I also don’t want to lose you again.”

Aria’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I see the same fear and uncertainty reflected in them that I feel in my own heart. “I don’t want to lose you either,” she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper.

We fall silent once again, the weight of our conversation hanging heavy in the air. And as we continue our journey back to her house, I can’t help but wonder what the future holds for us—whether we’ll find a way to make our dreams align or whether we’ll be forced to choose between love and ambition.

The ringing of my phone interrupts my thoughts. My heart sinks as I pick up the call from my assistant; the urgency in her voice immediately sets me on edge. “What’s going on?” I ask, my voice tight with apprehension.

“Cade,” she replies, her tone grave. “There’s been a major issue at the office, and we need you here right away.”

I feel a surge of panic wash over me as I listen to her words, my mind racing with all the possible scenarios that could have unfolded in my absence. “I’ll be there as soon as I can,” I assure her, my voice steady despite the fear that grips me.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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