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“I love your brooding intensity.”
“That’s just it, Auds. I don’t want to be brooding and intense. It’s killing me. I’m permanently grumpy because I’m holding back my feelings. I’m falling apart without you in my life.”
“I loved the old you, the new you, and any future version too.”
I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Best Christmas present ever,” I murmur.
“It isn’t Christmas yet,” she says with a playful smile.
“It is for me. You make me a better man, and I love you.”
I pause before continuing. “Auds, did anyone ever tell you why we couldn’t be together?”
Audrey nervously chews her lip.
“No. Whenever I asked, I got the same ‘mind your own business’ brush-off.”
“Me too,” I confess. And worse, but I won’t tell her that.
“Are our parents hiding something?” she asks.
I run a hand through my hair and blow out a breath. It hurts my soul to think we could have been together sooner. “Maybe someone’s committed murder, and they’re covering it up.”
She laughs. “A conspiracy theory?”
I throw my hands in the air. “I don’t know what to think!”
She’s staring as though she can see the gears turning in my head.
“Murder sounds like the plot from one of your movies. It doesn’t make sense, but do you think it could be something sinister?”
For a brief moment, we’re both lost in a maze of possibilities, each more perplexing than the last.
Her eyes light up. “Maybe someone had an affair with someone they weren’t supposed to. Maybe we’re cousins. Or–”
I’ve considered the possibility, too, and chuckle darkly. “Auds, our families came from the same village. We share the same olive skin, dark eyes, and hair, but it’s because of our heritage. Not because we’re siblings.”
Audrey sighs, tension leaving her shoulders. “You make it sound so logical, but why won't they give us a reason?”
I clench my jaw. “It better be a damn good reason to justify us missing out on years together. If I find out it’s because of a stupid feud over a couple of goats—I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“You’ll blow a gasket.”
I take her hands in mine. “Unless they have an ironclad reason we can't be together, I say we move forward with our lives.”
Worry clouds her eyes again. “If they reject us, it’ll hurt.”
“It's time we prioritized our happiness.” I give her hands a reassuring squeeze. “I’m ready to stand by my decision to be with you.”
“Don’t worry, Auds. I won’t let anyone steal you from me and lock you in a monastery. As long as I draw breath, you’ll never be alone or become a crazy cat lady.”
Laughter bubbles out of her, lighting up her face. “You have a funny way of seeing the world, you know that?”
“It’s what makes me special.” I give her a big smile, hoping she sees how much joy she brings. “Better get used to it because you're stuck with me.”
Audrey's laughter fades, but her eyes sparkle with amusement. “I wouldn't want to be stuck with anyone else.”
Her words make my heart swell. Unable to resist, I brush my thumb against her cheek. “From now on, where you go, I go. Your battles are my battles.”
