AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Millie purses her lips, keeping her opinion on our sister at bay. “When the time is right, the time is right. Everyone is different. I mean, look at us.”
I turn to observe Will, knowing he’s uncomfortable should the whole ‘Millie and Austin’ thing get dragged up again.
“So,” I say slowly, watching his reaction. “Are you saying your timing is the way you wanted it?”
“Yes,” Millie answers at the same time Will says no.
Will is quick to clear his throat. “If I had my way without a certain father-in-law on my back, there would’ve been no break.”
“And if there were no break, there would be no Ashton in our lives,” Millie adds.
Will straightens his shoulders. “You have a point.”
“Okay, back to me,” I remind them.
“How very Ava of you,” Will snickers. “Don’t listen to anyone else. You do what you want to do. Don’t pressure yourself to conform.”
I let out a sigh, knowing Will is right. Society convinces us there’s no happiness without romantic love from another person. I’m happy the way things are, so why the hell am I fixating on something because of other people’s opinions. After tonight, there’s even more confusion. Am I not romantically inclined because no one expresses their interest in me which has a lot to do with Cruz’s threats? Or am I genuinely not programmed like every other woman I know?
“Will is right. If you fall in love, you fall in love. If you don’t, you’re still a worthy human being. Love doesn’t have to define you. You define you.”
The moment Millie finishes her sentence, one of the two baby monitors makes a sound. It’s Archer talking, something about a shark and a dinosaur eating everyone. The talking stops, followed by small cries.
“Great, he’s talking in his sleep again. This kid’s imagination is next level.” Will slides off the stool. “I’ll go check on him.”
Millie gazes at him lovingly, and something passes between them. I’ve watched them for years and know they spoke this unfounded language of love much like Mom and Dad. I think it’s beautiful, but not something I can ever imagine myself feeling over someone.
“Okay, Addy. What’s the real problem here?”
I shrug my shoulders. “There’s no problem. It’s just that every time I mention anything, everyone is quick to be all like, ‘one day it will be you falling in love.’ But what if I don’t want that, huh? The whole heartbreak and can’t get out of bed. I didn’t study this hard to give up everything for a man.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way. Say you do fall in love, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll lead to heartbreak.”
“Oh really? Tell me one couple you know who have avoided it.”
Millie bites her lip while raising her eyes to stare at the ceiling as she thinks hard. The longer time passes, the more confident I am she can’t name a single couple.
“Jonathan and Ellie.”
“Who?”
“Friends of mine from high school. They’ve stayed together since senior year. In fact, they’re expecting twin girls this fall.”
“It doesn’t count if I don’t know them,” I mumble.
Millie releases a weighted sigh. “Look, Addy. You’re not like Ava and me. You’ve always stood on your own, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Just like Will said, ignore everyone. You don’t need to conform, and both Mom and Dad are so proud of you. You’re going to do great things, so don’t sweat the stuff that isn’t worth sweating because it’s not on the radar.”
I run my fingers through my hair then take a deep breath.
“You’re right. I can control my destiny. Nothing can stop me.”
Millie lowers her eyes then lifts them to gaze at me. “Maybe, but some things you can’t stop.”
“Like what?”
“Fate,” Millie simply replies. “No one can control their own fate or the fate of others. Fate will always find a way.”
Four
