AudreyThe early autumn sun was still hanging low in the sky, a light mist blanketing the campus as I strode into the lecture hall, inhaling the crisp scent of new paper. This morning, I was attending my first class as a senior. It felt surreal, to know that within the span of less than a year, I wo
Throughout the class, I caught Edwin glancing my way several times. Each time, my breath caught in my throat, lodging there like shards of glass.It was torture, being so close to him yet unable to say or do anything. His voice, as he lectured about the history of fashion design in East Europe, was
AudreyI smoothed down my blouse as I entered the upscale restaurant where Claudia and I usually met. The scent of expensive perfume and seared steak filled the air, a sharp contrast to the campus cafeteria lunches I was used to. The hostess recognized me, smiling tightly as she led me to our usual
She reached into her purse and pulled out an RSVP card. “Here are the details, just in case. I would really love for you to be there if you can manage it. It would mean a lot to me.”I took the card, forcing a smile even as guilt gnawed at me. “Thank you, Claudia. I’ll definitely try to make it work
AudreyI shouldn’t have been doing this.It was stupid and irresponsible in so, so many ways. To come to the room that Edwin had specified… It could only make our situation worse.But when he had asked me to come, I couldn’t find it in me to say no. The very thought of being alone with him, for any
Edwin’s face fell slightly at my silence.“If you don’t want to, I understand,” he started, inhaling sharply. “I know it’s not ideal, hiding away like this, but—”But I cut him off before I could finish. “Edwin.” I threw my arms around his neck, inhaling his scent against his broad shoulder. “I love
AudreyEdwin’s fingers dug into my hips, tugging me up, up… I arched my back away from him and gripped the pillow in front of me, practically having to bite the corner of it to muffle my moans.I could hear the smile in his voice as he hunched over me, a large hand coming to press against the floor
We both turned to see a woman emerging from a nearby shop. My stomach dropped as I recognized her instantly. Fiona.She looked stunning, as always. Her long, platinum blonde hair caught the light, gleaming like spun gold despite the overcast sky.She wore a chic outfit that accentuated her tall, sle
“I think you’re going to change so many lives,” I said to Eliza. “Those kids are so lucky to have you.” Eliza looked down, her cheeks pink. “Thank you, Audrey. Really.” Tina piped up next. “And my LGBT counseling department is finally off the ground! ” She paused, leaning into my mother, who was
Audrey After a long flight, we finally touched down in Italy. The sunlight streaming in through the plane window was a promising golden hue, and just the sight of it made me feel like my heart was about to leap out of my chest. “I might need a nap when we get to the villa,” Edwin yawned, shaking
And as I watched, I felt a hand slip into mine. I glanced up, finding Edwin beside me, his gaze focused on the runway but his approval humming through the bond. My mother stood on my other side, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. A lump rose in my throat, and I couldn’t even speak. None of us c
Audrey Edwin and I emerged from the small room, his hand still resting protectively on my back. The hustle and bustle of last-minute preparations immediately hit us, assistants running back and forth, models being ushered into position, and the soft hum of the audience’s chatter drifting through t
“There’s always time,” I whispered, grabbing the wrist of his free hand and pulling it close to peer at his watch. The movement caused him to topple forward, and he caught himself on his other palm, caging me against the hard wood of the vanity. “But maybe not enough time to waste right now.” Edwi
Audrey Before I could even answer his question, Edwin rushed past me and locked the door. When he turned back to me, he was grinning from ear to ear. The sight of that mischievous look on his face made my breath hitch. Once, it had been like pulling teeth to get the man to smile. And now here he
He didn’t need to tell me twice. I tore into the wrapping paper, revealing a soft red scarf. I could tell immediately that it was handmade—there were more than a few uneven stitches, and the outline was lumpy. It was far from perfect. But I loved it all the more for that. “Goddess, Edwin,” I laugh
Audrey The morning of the show was a frenzy. No, more than a frenzy. It was complete and utter chaos. I spent the entire morning from sunup to noon running endlessly from one end of the venue to the other, desperately trying to make sure every last detail was perfect. The racks were lined with c
“Uh… Yeah,” Malakai said. “Coffee would be nice.” A few minutes later, the three of us sat around the table, steaming cups of pitch black coffee in our hands. I kept it bitter, just in case Malakai was here to stir up more shit. It burned a little going down, but I sipped it anyway. Malakai look