Page 147 of All We Need

My heart fractures in bitter realization as she stares up at me, all doe eyed.I’vefallen so deep for this intelligent, remarkable, beautiful creature thatIfeel the heat from the center of the earth.

And seven days is all we have left.

I trace the edge of her jaw while pushing that bitter feeling away. “Myfavorite place to be.”

We settle back on the sofa, her back to my chest, as she calls her folks.

“Mama,” she croaks.

“Thisavré mou,”Lydia’sconcerned voice sounds through the phone. “Yourfather is here.Weare listening.Howdid it go?”

She tells them everything.There’scrying.Sighsof relief.Evensome laughter.Alytrembles against me as her mothersoothes her inGreek.It’shard to comprehend the emotions running through her, but not once does my hold on her slacken.

After saying goodbye, my arms remain banded around her.Lettingher go isn’t going to be easy.Westay like that for what feels like hours until she wriggles in my lap.

“Can we cook?”Hervoice is raspy.

I chuckle. “Yeah, baby, we can cook.Whatare you in the mood for?”

She nibbles on the corner of her lip, humming as she thinks. “Howabout…”

How about we fall in love?

The thought pops into my head, makes camp, and refuses to leave.

The room sways.

I want to cook forAlyas she sits on the kitchen counter, legs swinging, while she tells me about her day.Iwant to find her in my bed after a long shift.Iwant to watch her paint in nothing but those silky pajamas.Iwant to rile her up just to kiss the frown off her face.

I want her mornings, days, and nights.

I want totellherIlove her.

No.Notwant.Need.

Need or want, that future isn’t on the cards.

“Do you have any tuna left?I’dkill for some tartare.”Herhappy voice sweeps away the miserable realization.

“I’ll make you whatever you want.”

Later, after we’ve had dinner andI’vecherished her body until our limbs give out,Ilock away any and all ideas of a life together.Thesound of the key turning echoes in my skull, keeping me awake until the early hours.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

booth

It’s our lasttoday.

The past week has passed us by at breakneck speed.

We’ve tried to soak up every waking second, minute, and hour together when work allowed it.Withthe restaurant experiencing a sudden spike in bookings and her preparing for the project inBerlin, our time together hasn’t been what we hoped.

Tonight, responsibilities are forgotten.

Nothing but she andIexist in the four cedar walls of this cozy sanctuary.

As per her request, we spend one last day atTheNook.

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