Chapter Twenty-Four
Audrey
The words are supposed to flow as I sit at the table at The Brewhouse and look out at the water, sipping coffee and typing on my laptop. They aren’t flowing, though. The salt-laced breeze is teasing my hair and reminding me of everything I love about beach life.
I arrived on the island an hour ago, and my first stop was the coffee shop. I’m heading to Wolf soon but want to know exactly what to do and what to say. I want it to be perfect. Maybe that’s part of my problem. Maybe I don’t need to have all of the answers first. Is it okay to fly by the seat of my pants? It’s not something I’m used to doing, but haven’t I decided that change is exactly what I need in my life?
Wolf’s the first thing I think about in the morning, and the last thing I think about at night. That has to mean something. His laugh echoes in my mind, his eyes flash in my dreams, and his words soothe me when I feel myself spiraling. I’m in love with the man, and I don’t think anything can ever change this.
I haven’t finished my blog about Catalina Island yet, and it’s probably because I haven’t found the happy ending to my own story. I can’t finish my blog until my own story is complete. It’s such a weird feeling.
I’ve always lived my life with one foot outside the door. I’ve believed for most of my life that if I was standing still, I was slowly dying. I realize that standing still gives us time to organize our thoughts and plan the next adventure. There’s nothing wrong with that. Wolf’s helped me see this. Love is the ultimate freedom. Love is putting your trust and faith in another. I was able to do this with Chloe. I can do it with Wolf as well.
Wolf’s never made me feel small, or lesser. He’s made me soar, and feel like there’s nothing I can’t do. Sure, it’s messy and loud and chaotic. But it’s also calming and freeing, and he helps me keep my feet planted on the ground when they need to be, and to soar when it’s time to lift-off.
I put away my laptop. I’ll finish my blog, but I have to finish my own story first. It takes about ten minutes to walk up the hill to Wolf’s place. I didn’t tell him which ferry I was arriving on. He would’ve been there if I had, but this all has to be on my timeline. Why? Well, who knows, but he loves me with all of my faults anyway, which is why it’s so easy for me to love him.
I stop when I reach his place. I truly love it. I already have good memories here, and I’m looking forward to making a heck of a lot more. I smile as I pull out my cup. I’ve come prepared for action. He’ll either love this or think I’m crazy. I already know which it will be because I know him as well as he knows me.
He opens the door when I knock and immediately smiles, holding out an arm like he’s going to pull me against him. I back up a step, my smile making my eyes shine brighter. I love this man so much. We’re going to continue our epic love story. I have no doubt about it.
I look at him, hold out my cup, and dump it right down his lap. His smile fades as he looks at me with confusion. I fight not to laugh. His mouth hangs open. He’s not sure what’s happening.
I hold up my hand to my mouth. “Oops, I didn’t mean for that to happen. It must be the turbulence,” I tell him with a bat of my lashes.
He gazes at me for another moment, then laughs, realizing what I’m doing. “You’re trouble. I knew it the moment we met on that plane. Really? Your way of showing me you’ve decided not to run is to recreate our first meeting?”
I giggle. “I thought I was being pretty creative.”
“I was coming to Seattle. You didn’t have to come all of the way back here.”
I walk past him into the house, knowing this is going to be one of my many homes with him. We’re going to travel the world together. We’ll take time to stand still, but we’ll also move mountains. I don’t think life gets any better.
“I wanted to come here. It makes me happy. I want to spend a lot of time here.” I turn and look at him, my soul bared in my eyes. “I’m not going to run again, not even if I get scared or sad. We’ll work it out, even if I have to pour an entire bottle of wine over your head. I want to be with you, and only you. I want many more adventures together, and I want us to share our lives fully with no more secrets and no more excuses.”
His smile grows as he leans against the wall, not bothered at all with his wet pants, just as he wasn’t the first time I spilled a drink on him.
“What I’m hearing is you’re the one chasing me now,” he says with his confidence fully in place.
“I’ll chase you anywhere you want to go.”
He finally moves forward and pulls me to him. Damn, he’s beautiful. “I should make this a little difficult for you, but I don’t have the patience or the acting skills.”
“Good. I don’t want difficult. I want exciting, adventurous, and lots of love.”
“I love you, Audrey.”
“I love you, Wolf.”
He kisses me, and that’s all of the talking we need. I laugh as he lifts me up and marches to his bedroom. I pray this desire for each other never ebbs. It’s one more perfect thing between us, and if we don’t allow it to fade, we can hold on to it forever.
We don’t emerge from the bedroom for a long time, but when we do, we go to his deck and look out at the lights of the harbor as I lie in his arms, my favorite place to be.
“I think the adventure we’re embarking on will be the greatest either of us has ever taken,” he says.
“I fully agree.”
I close my eyes and see my blog getting the ending it deserves. I shouldn’t publish it because our little paradise of Catalina Island will be invaded by far too many people who want to experience the same bliss I’ve found here.
Then again, if I can give this feeling to even a few people, I’m more than happy to. I’ve found true happiness, something I want everyone to get the chance to feel. Oh dear, I’ve officially become one of those people. It should terrify me... but it doesn’t. I’m too happy to be upset about anything. I snuggle a little closer to Wolf and count my blessings. I can’t wait to see what comes next.