Page 73 of 5 Golden Flings

Where had he gotten it?

Nope, it didn’t matter.

“Autumn, I screwed up fifteen years ago when I let you go. I knew it was a mistake when I did it, but I pretended it was the right thing to do. For both of us. I’m not about to make that same mistake twice.”

Autumn shook her head. “Stop.” The word scraped through her throat, jagged and painful.

Noah closed the gap between them. “No. I won’t stop. I love you. I’ve loved you from the moment I spotted you in the hallway in eighth grade. Your hair in a loose braid, those damn golden eyes sparkling with laughter as you talked with one of your friends. You were radiant. Utter sunshine in the middle of my dark life. And each day we spent together, the more I got to know the person you are…I only loved you more.”

Autumn’s eyes widened.

“You’re gorgeous, smart, kind. You care so hard for everyone around you. I’m not good enough for you and never have been.”

Her tawny eyes started to glitter, with hope and irritation. “Stop saying shit like that. You’re an amazing man, Noah Woodson.”

He shrugged. “Despite everything, I turned out okay. But I’m nothing without you.” Noah snagged her hand and pulled her closer. “I don’t care about Seattle. I don’t care about anything, except figuring out how to build a life with you.”

Autumn shook her head. “You’re an idiot, you know that? I never asked you to give up on your dream, Noah. And I never would have. This isn’t an either/or situation. Take the job in Seattle. Build something with me. You can have both.Wecan have both.”

Noah’s eyes closed as he rested his forehead against hers. “I know you wouldn’t. But I’m not willing to be that far away from you. That’s my choice. I’ve come to peace with my football career being over. I don’t regret that. What I do regret is missing out on having you with me through it all.”

Autumn reached for him, her hands cupping his jaw. Stubble scraped against her skin, making her palms tingle. Hope, happiness and love swelled deep inside her chest. “I’ll do this on one condition. No regrets. All we have is looking forward.”

Grasping her hand, Noah flipped it palm up and set the snow globe he’d been holding in the center.

“I know Harry already gave this to you, but I’m giving it to you again. You said there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that you’d go back. I’m not asking to go back. I’m asking to move forward. I want to show you the world, Autumn. Not just behind a tiny dome of glass, but all of it. I want to build a life together.”

Wrapping her fingers around the cool glass, Autumn gripped it tight. “When Harry gave this to me, I found myself making a silent, stupid wish. Who knew that wish would come true? I want a life with you. Family, kids, a future. I don’t care if we ever go anywhere, Noah. But wherever we go, it’ll be together.”

ABOUT KIRA SINCLAIR

Double winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award, Kira Sinclair writes sizzling and sinful contemporary romances. Her first foray into writing fiction was for a high school English assignment, and not even being forced to read the love story aloud could dampen her enthusiasm...although it definitely made her blush. She lives in North Alabama with her wonderful husband, four amazing daughters and their two rambunctious doodles.

Find out more at KiraSinclair.com

ALSO BY KIRA SINCLAIR

His First Noelle – Jingle Spells Anthology

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Big Easy Secrets

Secrets, Vegas Style

Blame it on Vegas

The Sinner’s Secret

The Devil’s Bargain

The Rebel’s Redemption

See all her available books here!

THE HIDDEN HOLIDAY

A SECRETS OF THORNBURY WOODS NOVELLA

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