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I also happen to be a bit frustrated with her, because she really rushed me to eat and get ready. Vacations are meant for sleeping in, and I deserved that much after the previous twenty-four hours.

When I pried for an explanation, I was met with a sneaky little expression that told me I’d have to find out the hard way.

And itwashard. I don’t do enough hiking.

I stand there at the base of that waterfall, and I just feel. I relish the tiny freezing pricks of the water that land on mycheeks, and the wind that numbs them. My hair flows wildly around me, something I’ve never let it do. I’ve always tied it up or tucked it behind an ear, but it’s feels amazing. It’s so freeing.

“You look so happy,” she whispers. Almost like she didn’t mean to say it out loud.

“I am.” I reach a hand out for her, and know I don’t have to reach far before she takes it and steps beside me. “Close your eyes.”

We stand there in silence for so long. Maybe a few minutes, maybe twenty. It’s hard to tell. I only open my eyes because my teeth start to chatter. I see hers doing the same, but beside that… she looks so at peace.

“I’m so glad I married you.”

She slowly opens her eyes to gaze over at me.

“So am I.”

“I think this is karma for all the times I’ve shown up unannounced at someone’s house.”

Her laugh is muffled by the pillow, and I can tell that the ringing doorbell isn’t bothering her nearly as much as it's bothering me. Probably because wherever she’s still hanging out in dreamland isn’t somewhere she needs to worry about the repercussions of getting married and not telling a single soul.

I drag myself out of bed, fueled by panic when the ringing doesn’t relent. It must be someone that gives a damn about me if they’re trying this hard to get me to the front door.

I take a deep breath and decide that whoever it is: I don’t have to tell them anything today. I could avoid doing this one on one and throw a dinner party or something. Maybe I’ll bake a cake that’ll be so delicious it distracts everyone from the news.

Happy taste buds, happy emotions. Hopefully.

Autumn stands at my front door, her brows scrunched in what seems to be concern.Shit.

I never ignore her, and definitely never for this long. It wasn’t even intentional, things just got away from me for a while. All I want to do when I pick up my phone lately is find out what my daughter is up to.

“Rey,” she says like she’s relieved. “I thought I was going to have to call the police or something.”

“That’s extreme,” I say in an attempt to sound casual. “Sorry, babe. I was sleeping.”

“Have you been sleeping for the last couple months? Honestly, what the hell?”

I laugh, pretending I don’t notice that she’s not happy.

“I know, I’ve been so distracted lately. I haven’t really been socializing.”

“Or going to work?” she asks, raising her voice. “There was some new girl working that told me you haven’t been there in a while. What’s going on?”

“I went on vacation, did I not tell you? It’s okay, Autumn. I promise everything is fine. I just needed a break. It’s been really nice to take a step back.”

Her shoulders drop, relaxing at that.

“Where did you go?”

“Just to the coast for a few days.”

“When are you going back to work?”

“Such an interrogation,” I joke. Kind of. I’m too tired to be answering all these questions. “Next week.”

“How’d you afford that?”