Page 60 of We Are All Sinners

He finally blinks, giving me a soft smile before kissing me softly, then putting his forehead to mine, “Neither of us are going anywhere. We have a long life to live together; everything will be okay, I promise.” His words are soft, sincere, and I believe him when he says we will have a life together.

“I know. I mean, I don’t know-know, but I know we are both going to do whatever we have to for us to even have a chance tolive that life. I just hope it’s enough.” I explain, knowing I can’t be positive, but I still have to have hope.

We sit there for a moment, just being in the moment together. Our hearts, steadily beating as one. We have always been in sync like that. In this moment we have it all, everything we have both ever wanted, each other. It’s all we ever needed.

Brix breaks the silence first, “This can’t be all we get. I don’t want to live in a world where you don’t exist, I can’t do that again. We have the rest of our lives together, however long that may be, it will be us against the world. Till we are ghosts.”

I understand exactly what he is saying. We both know that if one of us dies the other will want to come along for the ride. I wouldn’t want to live in a world without him either. I just hope that when the time comes, he chooses life.

“And even then, I will chase you into the afterlife, and love you until the heavens crumble.” I repeat my vows as he did, from our fake wedding, out in the bayou the night we gave ourselves to each other.

How could I forget one of the most special moments of my life?

“I love you so much.” He moves a wild curl out of my face, brushing the back of his fingers down my cheek to my chin, capturing it between his thumb and index finger. He kisses me so softly, I would barely call it a kiss at all, and retreats back into his seat.

Brix puts the car in gear and pulls back onto I10 with ease.

“I love you to.” I smile, feeling like a kid in love again. God, I have missed this feeling more than anything in the world. That feeling of being in love and invincible. Even if it only lasts a little while, I can say I knew what it was to love and to be loved.

I know that no time that I am given with this man will ever be enough, but I’m going to savor every second I’m given.

I finally dry my tears and get my book out of my big bag of everything, settling back in my seat knowing that we are going to make it through this together no matter what comes our way.

Chapter 20

Brixon

Ipull into the parking lot of Noah’s pride and joy, snagging a parking spot close to the front door.

“Oh my gosh, look at that adorable gator on the sign!” Evie leans eagerly out the window, her eyes sparkling as she admires the colorful signage Noah poured his heart into, her smile stretching from ear to ear.

Her excitement has been bubbling ever since she finally glanced up from her book and realized we were by the ocean and super close to Bayou Bites.

She’s been fidgeting for the last twenty minutes, insisting she’s held it for at least forty-five, but refused to let me stop because she hates feeling like a burden. It’s so like her to focus on the book and not mention she needed a potty break!

As soon as I put the car in park, Evie is already out the door. I watch her in my side mirror attempting to run into the restaurant, obviously squirming.

I can’t help but chuckle as I get out of the car and make my way inside to meet our friends.

I have to admit, I was surprised at how well Evie handled everything I had to share. In the grand scheme of things, my news felt so small compared to the weight of what she saw the moment I touched her, she caught a glimpse of her own death. That is one of the hardest things anyone could ever have to face.

What’s been on my mind all trip is how she still wants to be around me, despite knowing that I might be the reason for that vision. It’s a bittersweet puzzle, and I can’t help but admire her courage.

I walk into Bayou Bites spotting Liam sitting in our normal corner booth and wave as I walk over.

“Where is Noah and the girls?” I ask as I sit on the outside of the curved booth opposite my brother.

“They saw pipsqueak run in here like her ass was on fire, the girls followed her to the bathroom. Noah is where Noah always is when we are here, in the kitchen.” Liam waves his hand towards the back of the restaurant.

“How’s it going with him and the writer girl?” I ask, curious since they’ve been prepping for me for the last hour.

“I have no idea. She seems interested, but she’s pretty mysterious. They look like they’re having a good time, though, so we’ll see. How was the drive? Did you spill the beans about our arrangement?” Liam smirks, clearly enjoying the thought of me having to share that with Evie.

“Turns out it made her love me more.” I sit back with a smug smile on my face, “How about you? How excited is little miss sunshine that someone else is going to have your baby?” I watch his smirk turn to a scowl as he rolls his eyes.

“I swear, even when we were kids, she thought you could do no wrong. You have always been a true Saint in her eyes. I haven’t told Emily yet. She was enthralled in a book on the way here and I didn’t want to interrupt.” He makes excuses.

“She might surprise you. Evie shocked the hell out of me, not only taking everything that I told her, but she told me something to.”

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