Page 81 of When Hearts Remember

Item 5: Get a piece of treasure from a sunken ship.

Dreamer: You’re laughing at me, Ethan, but this stuff is out there, waiting for us to find it. Do I need to remind you of my motto again?

Keeper: Good luck going againstprofessionaltreasure hunters, Nova. Need I say it again?Professional.As in, they’ve spentyearslooking for sunken treasure, and you want to somehow come across it?

Dreamer: Looks like you need a reminder: If I believe it, who’s to say it isn’t true?

Item 6: Release a wish at a lantern festival in China.

Dreamer: I may even sing a song from a certain cartoon featuring a long-lost princess and the ruffian who saves her from a tower to take her to see floating lanterns in the sky while I’m at it. And you’re making a wish too, Ethan Anderson.

Keeper: I don’t need any more wishes. All of them came true when I met you.

Item 7: Tie a prayer cloth in Jokhang Temple in Tibet.

Keeper: I think I’m starting to see a trend—going to far flung locales to make wishes. Why do you need so many wishes, anyway?

Dreamer: Serendipity. Fate. Magic. The next great discovery waiting for us just around the corner. The anticipation. Need I say more?

Bonus Item Not Part of the Official List: Teach me how to swim, dammit!

Dreamer: You promised. Or was this a lure to get me to meet you in person?

Keeper: Don’t pin this on me. Every time you ask me to teach you, it’s during my month-end close and I’m working overtime. It’s like you’re using me as an excusenotto learn.

Dreamer: Stop knowing me so well. But I don’t care. This year is it. Swimming and curry. I can tackle two goals.

Keeper: You forgot to add getting married by thirty. That was another one of your goals, right?

Dreamer: It is, and stop trying to weasel an answer out of me. Be patient. *winks*

Pulling her to my side, I smile at the list—the positivity in her response, the humor, the banter.

It’s quintessentially us.

I’ll make every one of those wishes come true for her.

“What about the rest? There’s thirteen more to go.” The crackle from the fireplace joins the soothing rhythm of her breathing as I kiss her hair and inhale the familiar scent of lavender.

She yawns. “We can decide after our curry date next week.” Her eyes flutter shut and her lips curve in a smile. “Our first item. Then take me to your pool. No more excuses. I can’t wait.”

She snuggles closer, and I chuckle as I lift her and carry her to my bed. We have some time before Liam comes back, and I intend to spend every minute loving the woman in my arms.

A soft snore soon fills the air and I pull the covers over her shoulders, watching my hummingbird sleep.

Safe and sound.

“We have a lifetime to decide,” I murmur. “All your wishes, I’ll make them come true.”

I drift my finger over her slender nose, and she moans before curling into my side.

Smiling, I close my eyes.

“I promise you, Nova. They’ll all come true.”

Chapter 27

“An uncharacteristic warm frontsurges through New York City, sending torrents of rain instead of snow to the streets of Manhattan. Drivers are warned to be extra careful on the roads as wet and icy conditions may cause hydroplaning—”

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