The shudder that shot through her suggested Hallie was feeling the exact same way. “It is. Maybe we should take Zora’s advice and just go for it.”
Audrey hummed, adjusting her position and brushing her cold nose against Hallie’s cheek. The difference in temperature between the two was hypnotic. Her hand clenched tighter on Hallie’s waist, her breath coming faster. Her senses were filled with Hallie and the snow, the two of them alone on a balcony, the only two people in the world.
When she remembered how to speak, she sucked in a sharp breath. “Zora actually pointed out that, when you die, you regret the things you didn’t do…”
Hallie’s hot breath rushed over Audrey’s skin in the most tantalizing way when she laughed. “It makes sense that would be the way to get through to you.”
“Yeah… Sorry.”
“I’m not. I like the way you are. I likeyou, Audrey.”
“I like you too.”
“And I really want to kiss you,” she said, breathless and beautiful.
“Even if I can’t promise more than this?”
“Yes.We both know what we have, we know we’re on a clock, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life regretting you.”
Audrey didn’t want that either. But she did want to kiss Hallie.
She nodded.
Hallie gasped. “Audrey, what’s that a yes for? I need to be very clear.”
She hummed again, leaning in to tease her lips over Hallie’s. “Yes. Kiss me. Please.”
And she did. Surging in to press her hot lips against Audrey’s. Everything felt heightened in the freezing night around them, the snow piling up. And it was incredible.
Hallie’s gloved hand held the back of her head, their lips moving in perfect sync. And, when she sucked Audrey’s lip into her mouth, the heat of it was overwhelming. Every part of Audrey’s body felt like it was coming alive with the kiss.
How had she ever thought of resisting this? She’d spend every day of her life missing this, but not having it would have been a million times worse.
Going through life without kissing Hallie Fuller would have been a crime, and Audrey had no interest living that life.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hallie entered her mom’s kitchen the next morning to find Audrey deep in conversation with her mom and her brothers. She was sitting at the counter, nursing a mug of coffee, and laughing. The whole scene was better than Hallie could ever have dreamed—and it was a massive juxtaposition to seeing Audrey in kitchens with her own family, where she’d only ever looked devastated.
Wes hummed. “My pick would be the pop star girlies.”
Isaac laughed. “Your favorite thing about the internet is pop stars?”
“Yeah.” He frowned, momentarily concentrating on the homemade cinnamon rolls he was dishing up. “Well, not the pop stars exactly. It’s the fans when the singers announce stuff. Have you seen the internet on those days? There’s so much excitement and anticipation, so much community. It’s awesome. I love it.”
“Yeah, okay, fine. Still a bit weird, but I get it.”
Hallie smiled and walked over to Audrey, not hesitating for a second as she put her hand on Audrey’s back, stroking over the soft sweater she was wearing.
Audrey’s smile was wide and stunning, that one she seemed to reserve for Hallie. “Sorry, I’ve stolen your mug.”
Hallie’s insides burned as she looked at the mug Audrey’s hands had been wrapped around. It was her festive, letter ‘H’ one. The one she’d wanted for Audrey just a few days ago.
Her mom shot her a pointed, knowing look, like she was perfectly aware of what Hallie had been thinking.
She laughed, looking back at Audrey. “Guess that means we’re sharing our morning coffee today.”
Audrey pushed the mug towards her. “I mean, you’re welcome to it, but there’s no caffeine.”
