gets off on making others feel uncomfortable and inferior. It’s like she gets a little hit of dopamine every time she stomps on someone’s self-esteem. Usually, she saves the belittling for smaller, more familiar audiences—me and Nick or Rupert and Fiona—but occasionally she can’t help herself and goes rogue like today. There’s no telling what will trigger her.”
“Well, see? If I’d told you about Brooke and the hospital…”
“Didn’t you just say you’ve stopped beating yourself up?”
Leia pressed her lips together as the amber flames in the fireplace crackled and danced.
“Look, if I’d known about Brooke and everything you’ve endured, Mommie Dearest would’ve found something else to use against you. Seriously, I’m not kidding when I say she’s hated all our girlfriends. Narcissists want all the attention, all the time. Girlfriends and wives just steal the limelight.” Tarquin cupped her chin. “I’d rather cut off all contact with her than allow her venomous behavior to damage what we have. You’re so precious to me, Leia. I won’t stand for it.”
She smiled fondly. “I’ll always have your back, too. But that’s why I feel sick about you announcing your depression to the world like that, just to defend mine. No one should be forced to share their most private struggles before they’re ready. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yeah, I did, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’d do anything for you.” Tarquin lifted her hand to his lips and softly kissed her knuckles. “And while I am nosey by nature and would love to know every single thing about you, I completely understand why you were hesitant to open up about Tyler and the chaos he brought into your life.”
Leia blinked up from their entwined hands with a tentative grin. “I wanted to tell you so many times, but ‘I was in a mental hospital’ isn’t something you drop into casual conversation, you know? Sharing my struggles with depression is always a huge step, but being put behind closed doors? It feels like asking someone to scale a mountain.”
“Good thing I’m an experienced climber, then.”
Leia half-laughed. “But you see, right? I couldn’t open up about the end of my marriage without going there. And it’s not that I’m ashamed of it—I don’t really think it’s that. Those three weeks brought light back into life. But still, my past is a lot to unpack. It’s a big ask for a partner to take on or understand.”
He kissed her hand again and held it against his shirt, his heart beating beneath their bond. “So, it’s complicated and messy. Leia, I’m sorry for all the pain you’ve been through, but what matters is today. Right now. This. Us.”
“Well, that’s how I feel, too. But I worry, though, once you have time to think…”
“What? You think I’ll change my mind?”
“Maybe,” Leia whispered.
“Not a chance.” He kissed her on the nose. “I can’t guarantee sunny days or pizza with grapes, but I can promise this: I’ll never hurt you.”
A soft smile pinched her cheeks as her eyes glistened. Diverting attention, she glanced over at Tarquin’s perfectly arranged photos on his bedside bookcase.
He followed her gaze, and his younger self grinned back. Shirtless in swim trunks holding a surfboard, he stood shoulder to shoulder with a sunburnt Harry. In another framed shot, the teens held glow sticks aloft in a sea of dry ice, lasers, and dancing revelers.
“I love your photos,” said Leia. “You look so happy and carefree…before life got all complicated.”
“Yeah. Occasionally, I catch myself thinking, who was that kid and where’d he go?”
Leia snuggled closer. “I miss the old me sometimes, but I don’t miss my old life.” She let go of his hand and captured a piece of his hair, twirling it around her finger. “This one is so much better…the one I share with you.”
Share? Does this mean no lingering ‘Let’s see how it goes’?
Leia took a large breath, her tearful eyes gazing into his. “I love you, Tarquin.”
She loves me! Joy and gratitude swelled through his heart. “Oh, Ginger.” Tarquin caressed her cheek. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear that! After today, I thought I never would.”
“It’ll take more than Hurricane Kiki to scare me away.” She kissed him tenderly and pulled away, opening her eyes as her hands pressed against his chest. “It was so hot, you standing up for me.” One hand slipped lower under the band of his boxer briefs.
Oooh, yes. I’ll definitely stand up for you now. Tarquin sucked in a breath.