Chapter 40 - A Change of Plan

I flinch away from Auden as he reaches for me, as memories of that night five years ago come suddenly flooding back -

It, too, was a night that started on an open-air terrace with Auden offering me wine –

And then, a little guard shack in the woods, when we shared a drink by the fire, and Auden reached for me, just as he’s doing now -

My breath comes short in my throat as his hand moves for me -

But his palm lands soft on my shoulder, not on my waist. He leaves it there a moment before squeezing, his skin warm against mine.

“I’m sorry, Everleigh,” he says quietly, his eyes sad. “I was upset –“

I gape up at him like a stupid fish for a moment before I force myself to blink, to come back to this moment –

Because, of course, of course it’s just me imagining things, flashing back to the memories of a night that Auden doesn’t even know existed -

“No,” I say, finding my shaky voice and taking a step closer to him. “I mean – yes – I accept your apology – but I was unfair too. I’m sorry, Aud