Page 27 of Snow One Like You

“Or the worst,” I amended.

“Possibly. Which is why you build a strong foundation. So when an earthquake hits, you flex instead of crumble.”

“Like staying true to your roots,” I guessed, starting to understand.

She nodded.

“And getting a degree.”

Another nod.

“And having a steady job?”

She stared at me, and I added, “With the freedom to choose your own schedule.”

“Exactly. And hiring people you can trust so you don’t have to be a workaholic. And planning for the future, but being open to new ideas.”

“You’re right, baby,” I mumbled, shaking my head.

“I usually am, but to what are you referring?”

My mouth curved in amusement. “I’ve been looking at it all wrong. But I’ve also been living it wrong.”

“I wouldn’t put it that way. Unless you are hurting someone or yourself, I don’t think there really is a wrong way. It’s up to us to decide what makes us happy.”

I cupped her face between my hands and stared into her gorgeous, ice-blue pools. “But I haven’t been living to be happy, Cammie. I’ve been living in fear of it.”

Her forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Fear of being happy?”

“Yes. Because if I was truly happy, there was more potential to experience pain.”

“Pain is how we learn.”

“Sometimes,” I agreed. “And sometimes, we learn from experiencing the happiness we’ve been afraid of.”

“What are you trying to tell me, Soren?”

I kissed her softly, then gazed at her tenderly. “I’m trying to tell you I love you. That it scares the shit out of me, but you’ve made me realize that life isn’t worth anything if I have to live without you.”

Cammie’s mouth parted, and she blinked at me, seemingly speechless.

“I know it’s fast, and if it hadn’t happened to me, I wouldn’t have believed it either. I don’t expect you to?—”

“Soren.”

I stopped talking and held my breath.

“I love you, too. Now shut up and kiss me.”

Air whooshed from my lungs as relief washed over me.

I raised her face up as I lowered mine until our lips met.

Eleven

SOREN

Nothing about this kiss was rushed. It was no less passionate than the others we’d share, but there was no urgency. We lazily drank from each other’s lips, savoring our connection.

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