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I headed upstairs.

When I stepped into our room, the balcony doors were open.

Emily was still awake.

She stood outside with a glass of wine in her hand.

For a second, I just stood there watching her.

She turned when she heard me.

“You’re still up,” I said.

She smiled softly. “Couldn’t sleep.”

I stepped out onto the balcony.

“You’ve had a lot on your mind today. I can tell.”

“That’s an understatement.”

I slid an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

She tilted her head up toward me, and I kissed her.

Slow at first.

Then deeper.

The kind of kiss that reminded me why I’d stayed with her all these years.

Emily wrapped her arms around my neck. But when we pulled apart, I could see the question in her eyes.

“Zay.”

“Yeah?”

She hesitated for a moment. “Azaria told me about the marriage.”

My expression didn’t change. “She told you?”

“She said she didn’t want to lie to me.”

I nodded slowly.

Emily looked out toward the ocean. Her fingers tightened around her wine glass.

“Your mom keeps talking about arranged marriages for you.”

I waited.

She looked at me again. “Is she going to do that to you, too?”

I let out a quiet breath. “Fuck no.”

The relief in her face was immediate. “You sure?”

“I’m positive.”