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She grinned, clearly having the time of her life. Abruptly, she ceased fire and spun around in circles, her arms outstretched like she was absorbing the elements.

The gnaw your bones off frigid elements.

She plopped herself on the thick blanket of snow, ignoring how we were in the middle of a New York City sidewalk as people scurried by to seek shelter.My Nova. Always marching to her own tune and dazzling everyone around her without realizing it.Then she waved her arms and legs to create a snow angel.

But the blistering winds changed tune, and the flurry of snow became thick clumps of ice and balls of—

Fuck. Hail.

I threw my body on top of hers as the hard clusters pelted my back. She trembled below me.

“Shit. You okay? Are you hurt?”

A few seconds of silence passed by.Crap. Did I hurt her?Alarm rang through me and I started pulling away when she suddenly snorted and busted out in laughter. “Look at your face! All worried about me, aren’t you? Throwing yourself on top of me like a hero from the movies.”

Bracing my arms above her, I mock scowled at the woman who made me feel as though I was enough as I was—just being Ethan—not because I was an Anderson, the illustrious, old-money family who owned half of New York.

Lexy beamed and stuck her tongue out.

I chuckle at the memories. I’m sure I sound ridiculous—laughing by myself in my luxury jet. Grief hits us in the strangest ways. I’d give anything to go back to that day. We were so happy—we had the future in our hands. I continue reminiscing about our day together.

I thought I had time. A lifetime with her. If only I knew.

“I don’t know how you do it,” I had whispered to her as we laid on the ground, hail still coming down in bullets. I cradled her face with my hands. “You inspire me to be so much more. I…I—”

I couldn’t find the words. And Ialwayshad the words.

Lexy turned her head and pressed a kiss on my fingers. “Be here and be bold. Don’t wait to live because…”

I smiled and finished for her. “The clock keeps ticking.” Swallowing, I gazed into her eyes and murmured, “Are you going to give me your answer?”

“Do you have a ring on you?”

“You know I don’t. You dragged me out here before I even had breakfast. You’re lucky Liam isn’t coming back until later today. Your brother would skin me alive if he saw you dressed in a bathrobe in the middle of a snowstorm.”

“Ha. I think he’d killyoubecause you were with his little sister. Me in a snowstorm would be the least of your concerns.”

Damn it. She was right. I’d been avoiding the conversation as long as I could, but I had to tell Liam.

I was desperately in love with his little sister. I had broken the only cardinal rule he had set for me.

I quashed those thoughts into the background. Everything could come after this woman answered my question. “So, my answer?”

She arched her elegant brow, the mischievous glimmer back in her eyes. “No ring, no answer. You’ll just have to wait until our curry date next week.”

Snorting, I shook my head as my heart skipped a beat.I’m going to make this woman mine soon. Then we’re telling our families, and if Liam, Dad, or my brothers have issues with this, they can go screw themselves.“You’re ridiculous, Nova. And you got it wrong. I’m not your north star.Youare my supernova, brightening up my dark skies.”

“My poet,” she had murmured, and I leaned down and captured her lips with mine, tasting her smile and love in our kiss.

The jet engine roars to life, the rumble further splintering the deep frissons inside my heart.

I didn’t realize back then we’d never have our curry date. Time giveth and time taketh away.

And so, today, I’ll let myself grieve.

My chest tightens. I take out a piece of paper, uncap my fountain pen, and write the last poem I’ll ever compose. I haven’t been able to write poems ever since what happened to her.

My poetry came to life because of her. Without her, they’re meaningless.