"Talk to me. What did they say?"
"Nothing important."
"Bullshit. What did they say?"
She looks at me, and her eyes are wet. "That I'm throwing away my career. I'm being impulsive and irresponsible. They didn't raise me to make decisions based on emotion instead of logic."
"And what did you say?"
"Nothing. There’s nothing to say, because nothing will convince them." Her voice breaks.
Fear shoots through me, cold and sharp. "Do you regret it now?"
"No! Of course not.” She kisses me and holds onto my hand. “I don’t regret any of this; I’m just sad that my parents are upset with me. I’m new to this whole disappointing-them thing.”
“Do you need more time to think this over?”
“No. I decided. You’re it for me. The life we’re going to build here in Evergreen Lakes is for me. I love you, and for once I feel like I’m home. With you.”
My chest expands, and I’ve never felt so warm in all my life. “I love you too. Welcome home. We’re going to have the best adventure.”
Epilogue
Avery
One year later
I'm reviewing contracts in my home office when Brennan appears with coffee.
"Break time, counselor."
I look up from my laptop, and my heart still skips when I see him. A year together, six months living in the cabin we bought and renovated, and I'm still not used to how much I love him.
"Is it break time, or are you just bored?"
"Both." He sets down a coffee and kisses the top of my head. "Also, it's Friday afternoon, and you promised you'd only work half days on Fridays."
"I did, didn't I?"
"You did. Our compromise, remember? You work structured hours; I schedule things occasionally. Balance."
I save my document and close the laptop. "Okay. I'm done. What's the plan?"
"No plan. Thought we'd be spontaneous."
A year ago, that sentence would've sent me into a panic spiral. Now I just smile. "I love spontaneity. As long as there's a general direction and estimated timeframe."
"See? Growth." He pulls me from my chair. "Pack a bag, my Thawed Queen. We're going to the cabin for the weekend."
I chuckle and kiss his chin.
The cabin. Our cabin. The backcountry emergency shelter where we first made love, which we sneak out to from time to time. So far we haven’t gotten caught. But Brennan still works with the resort, just as a contractor now, so he can come up with an excuse if we do ever get caught up there.
"I'll be ready in twenty minutes."
"Make it thirty. I know you need to check weather conditions and pack snacks and make a list."
"I do not make lists anymore."
