Page 194 of Her Reluctant Wife: A Lesbian Age Gap Romance

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She didn’t want to let go. She smelled like scrambled eggs and

sunshine and a little bit like the echo of Giana’s own perfume

and laundry soap. She hadn’t showered after coming back

home. Her scent was still clinging to her. That didn’t just make

Giana feel dark and primal. It made her feel raw and peaceful

and almost happy.

“It was so good, but I was a kid,” she whispered into

Coralyn’s hair. “I didn’t know any different.” Coralyn’s arms

tightened around her, and she bent her head to the soft, silky

swell of her neck. “But I’m not a kid now. I didn’t know how

to grieve then. I still don’t.”

“Does anyone?”

“Maybe I should get help, but fuck, I don’t want to be one

of those people in therapy.”

“Then don’t be.” Coralyn pulled back so they could look at

each other. “If that’s not going to help, then don’t do it. There

are so many other ways. My dad always said that happiness

was a lifelong process. What would he tell me to do if I was

you? Probably to read. To read what so many other people

have written. To make friends. Find hobbies. Keep busy. Be

okay in the quiet. Find my passion. Never to lose the things I

loved in the first place. He was smart and creative and so

loving. I’m not like him.”

Giana bracketed Coralyn’s face with her hands, cupping her

jaw gently. “I think you’re exactly like him.”

“No, really. I can’t even draw a stick figure, and you should

see my crafts.”

Giana pulled back and reached into the satchel she was still

wearing, twisted around to her back. She pulled out the flat,

square jewellery box. “Speaking of what your dad made and

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