My Favorite Souveni- Penelope Ward , Vi Keeland Page 0,110

to spend the holidays with his parents.

For two people who loved adventure, we’d lived a pretty settled life over the past several months. Though we kept a jar full of folded-up pieces of paper with different trips we wanted to take written on each, vowing never to lose the adventurous spirit that had launched our union. Sometimes we’d pick a paper randomly out of the jar and take off for the weekend when finances would allow. But honestly we loved our downtime just as much—hanging out at local coffeehouses or playing with our cats. When you’re with the person you’re supposed to be with, every day is like an adventure. We didn’t need to always travel the country to feel fulfilled. Just being together—hanging at the local coffeehouses or playing with our cats—made us happy.

We were blessed to have found each other. Despite the rough start to my relationship with Matteo, I knew in my heart that my time with Brady had existed so I could meet his friend. Maybe that’s fucked up, but it’s the truth.

We’d opted to stay in Seattle because of Matteo’s teaching job. As much as I’d always said school photography wasn’t my passion, I ended up getting a photo contract with a local school district here. Only now I wasn’t just doing school photos; I’d branched out, shooting more weddings, family portraits, and headshots—and even some local musical acts. Diversifying my offerings gave me more flexibility. I could make my own schedule, and if that meant taking two weeks off to go to Vail with my boyfriend, it was my choice.

Matteo and I had moved out of his studio apartment and found a two-bedroom not too far from his original place. With both of our incomes, it was still affordable to live in the city. I didn’t miss Connecticut at all. I hadn’t really found myself until I’d met my true love. With Matteo, I didn’t long for anything but being with him—I didn’t need stability or wild adventures. I just needed him. He’d helped me realize that true happiness is simply following your heart. He was my heart.

Matteo walked in as I was daydreaming and petting Nola in the living room.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“Just how much better this Christmas is than the last one. It feels fitting that we’re going back to Vail soon, too. Like we’ve come full circle.”

He sat next to me on the couch and kissed my forehead. “I can’t wait to take you skiing again.”

“Yeah, maybe I can graduate from the bunny slopes with more than a day of training this time.”

He winked. “I’ll make it happen.”

I massaged his knee. “My sexy ski instructor.”

“I was thinking maybe we should book a night at the hotel where we met,” he said. “You know… we might get sick of being at my parents’ house for two weeks anyway.”

“I would love that. It’ll be like old times.”

He kissed my neck. “Except now instead of dreaming about sleeping with you while I’m in the next room, I’ll get to have you as much as I want.”

I gripped his shirt. “And instead of sneaking looks at your shirtless physique, I can have that body however I like.”

He moved closer and spoke over my lips, “What do you think would’ve happened if we hadn’t both chosen that hotel? Where would we be right now?”

I sighed. “I hate to say it, but I think I’d be married to Brady. I would’ve never known he’d cheated on me. I’d be bored and feeling unfulfilled back in Connecticut. And I would’ve never realized how amazing life could be.”

Matteo nodded. “I feel like I’d still be in the funk I was in before we met. I probably would’ve eventually met you back in New York and wondered how Brady got so damn lucky, though. The thought of you with him now makes me want to throw up.”

We didn’t speak of Brady much. But when we did, I could tell it made Matteo a little sad.

“Do you ever...miss him?” I asked.

Nola crept up on us and purred.

Matteo pondered that for a minute. “I miss what he and I had before I knew he was a cheater. I don’t think he’s a bad person, but he damn well didn’t deserve you. I had to lose his friendship in order to have you in my life, so I don’t have any regrets.”

“I don’t, either. Knowing what I know now, I don’t even feel sorry for him anymore.” I stared off