I was quiet for a moment, considering his words. It didn’t come as much of a shock; I was pretty certain that even Malakai and Axel, in their own way, despised our father. But none of us, not even Peter, had ever said it out loud. Except for maybe Eliza.Then, slowly, I said, “Maybe there is somethi
AudreyI took Edwin’s hand and leaned against the doorframe with him, watching as Peter and Eliza began to argue over a card game.Their bickering was light-hearted, nothing like the tension from earlier in the evening. It was a welcome change, the sound of their playful jabs filling the warm living
I looked up at Edwin, a tiny smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Without a word, he leaned down and kissed me softly. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he dipped me dramatically, deepening the kiss.His lips were warm and insistent against mine, and I felt myself melting into him, the
Audrey“Audrey!” Tina squealed as I walked into the familiar bar off campus, running up to me and throwing her arms around my neck. “I missed you so much!”I staggered back at the force of my friend’s hug, but embraced her just as tightly. “I missed you, too,” I replied. “Where is everyone?”Tina pu
I smirked and punched his arm. “I’m taking it the wrong way.”Laughing, Gavin rubbed his sore arm and shook his head. “Not like that,” he assured me. “I just meant that I’m glad we stayed friends and nothing more. Because now we’re both on our own paths when it comes to love, and I still get to have
AudreyThe following weeks melted together in a whirlwind of training, studying, and late nights.Every Saturday, I met Peter in the woods for shifting practice. Every Sunday, I met with Claudia to work on my thesis. And four nights a week, I trained with Edwin in combat.I practically lived with Ed
“Audrey.” Claudia shut my notebook and handed it back to me. “You need to rest. I can tell that your work is taking a hit.”I bit my lip, avoiding her gaze. “I’m fine, really. I just want to do well, that’s all, so I’m pushing myself.”Claudia sighed again. “I know you do, sweetheart. But maybe you
AudreyDespite my exhaustion, the idea of a date sounded divine. I found myself nodding and allowing Edwin to guide me out of the studio. We walked back to his apartment hand in hand, the cool evening air refreshing against my skin. He carried my things for me, a welcome relief for my sore muscles.
“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