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She inhaled and closed her eyes, opening her lips to let the words fall. “Because when I marry Joshua tomorrow, my heart can’t be split in two anymore.” Mavis swallowed. “I’m having a hard time letting you go.For good.” She cringed, squeezing her eyes shut. “I’m having a hard time letting go ofus... or at least... what could have beenus.”
You still have feelings for me too?
His heart stilled as his eyes closed, her admission of the truth an invitation for the memories to return, crashing into his brain. Her lips on his, bathed in love beneath the secrets of the world. Swimming in the depth of her words, reality crashed in around him. Their relationship, the love they shared, the pull toward each other... Every part of her swirled in his soul until his eyes opened.
The memories faded as the sun beat down, forcing droplets of sweat to appear on his forehead. With the back of his hand, he swiped at the moisture and grinned.
“Was there ever really anusthough, Mavs? Did we ever really have a chance?” Austin rose from his seat and tilted his head to meet the sun. The rays fried his skin, baking his soul in the heat as the weight of the conversation snaked along his spine. He inhaled, breathing in the salt hanging heavy in the air. It circulated in his lungs, cleansing and refreshing. With a smile, he turned toward her. “Just a make-believe dragon and the princess he captured.”
She shook her head. “Was it all make-believe?”
Austin tapped his watch and sighed. “You have about thirty minutes to decide that.”
Her body straightened, and her gaze swept over his face. She stared, seemingly lost in the depths of her heart, searching her soul for the truth as the seconds ticked by.
“It was real for me, Princess,” he whispered, a small smile tugging at his lips. “But I think...” Austin pulled his arms to his head, cupping his palms at the base of his neck. He grinned before his gaze settled on hers. From the bottom of his heart, the truth finally fought to set itself free. “I think...
Her cheeks flushed as her lips parted. “A black arrow then.”
Austin pressed his hand over his chest, the slashes in his heart stitching together with the finality of her perfectly inspired Tolkien analogy, closing the chapter on their childhood and closing the door on a relationship that would never be, that could never be.
And for the first time in my life, I’m okay with it.
“Mavis Benson, you’ll forever be my Princess. But I think we both know that whatever we could have had together, it’s all part of our past now. Neither of our hearts belong in two.”
She stood and tiptoed across the sand to stand beside him. Her fingers interlaced with his as she turned to stare out at the ocean. “The road goes ever on and on,” she whispered.
“Down from the door that it began,” he answered and squeezed her fingers.
Peace washed over him, a sense of calm crashing into his body. He breathed, letting go of the turmoil and confusion that had wracked his soul for the better part of his life. With his sigh, a smile bloomed on his lips as the door of forbidden love closed and locked for the last time. The tide raced forward on the sand as the gulls screeched overhead, and Austin turned, ready to release the princess from the captivity of his heart.
Her gaze lifted to his. “How about one last secret?”
Oh, God, what now?
“For old times’ sake,” she added with a grin.
He snorted. “Yours or mine?”
A crease formed along her forehead. “You mean you have one?”
Austin rolled his eyes and sighed. “You could say that.”
Her fingers tightened on his palm as her elbow banged into his side playfully. “Go on, then, sir. Our last secret is for you.”
A shiver chilled his skin, shooting through his system as the words fell from his lips. “Boyd. Bernstein.And Templeton. At Law.”
Her hands covered her mouth as her eyes widened, her gaze boring into him. “Oh, my God, Austin! Are you saying?”
He nodded. “Partner.” His stomach recoiled, the second round of hangover nausea threatening the moment. Austin swallowed and ran his hand across his belly.
“You’re not smiling,” she whispered, tugging his hand back into her own. “You’re not happy.”
Austin shook his head and squeezed her fingers. “The job is here, Mavs. In California.”
Her body stilled as his secret and his gut-wrenching decision settled in her heart. A gasp escaped her lips as her phone rang on the picnic table behind them.
They turned, eyeing the innocent bag on the tabletop. “I think our time’s up,” he whispered.
