Page 80 of At the Edge with You

When she looks over at me, I waggle my brows at her to make her smile. “It’s funny. I always wanted to be your boyfriend, but now, the title seems so bland.”

Her eyes sparkle. “Right? We’re so much more than just boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Before I can agree, Elena seethes, “Fable Winter, this is unacceptable.”

Fable slowly shifts her gaze from me to her mother. “What is?”

“You two, together,” she spits, her eyes moving between the two of us. “You are well above his stature.”

Fable feigns shock, pressing her hand to her chest. “Oh, thank God we don’t live in the fifties, huh, pretty boy?”

I chuckle beside her, loving when she’s all sassy like this. “Thank God, indeed. Though, even then, I’d have wanted to be with you.”

She chucks my chin and winks. “Same.”

We share a smoldering look before Richie asks, “When did you plan on telling us, Fable?”

“I didn’t,” she admits, shrugging. “It’s none of your business since neither of you seems to care about anything but trees. The event is lovely, by the way.” She holds up a glass of champagne, and I do the same. Elena doesn’t like that one bit.

“Fable, don’t be dramatic,” her mother sneers, shaking her head. “You’re always so hostile with us.”

“Maybe because you guys don’t let her be her,” I say without thinking. “Let her shine.”

“You don’t know a thing about our relationship with our daughter,” Richie snaps, and I hold his gaze.

“Don’t I? I have watched and heard how you both always tried to make her into something she’s not. When who she is…is absolutely fantastic.”

Fable’s fingers thread with mine. “Thank you.”

I lean in, kissing the side of her mouth. “I’m only telling the truth.”

“Do not kiss her in front of all these people!” Elena yells, and I notice a few people glancing our way. Richie puts his hand on his wife, and she sighs deeply. “You will not embarrass us like this, Fable.”

Fable’s back goes taut, her eyes narrowing as her fingers tighten around mine. “But that’s what I do,” she says softly, her eyes dark and full of contempt. “If you’re saying that my being with Jett humiliates you, I’ll have to correct you.”

Elena scoffs. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, because this man is not someone to be embarrassed by. You should be thankful that I have found a man who likes me for me. Who supports me mentally, physically, and emotionally. He has done nothing but make me feel like a queen and support me in making the Ice Thistle a success.” She takes a deep breath, and when tears gather in her eyes, I lean in, kissing her cheek.

“Princess, it’s fine?—”

“No,” she says, shaking her head, but she won’t look at me. “I know I will never measure up to who you two want me to be. But to him, I’m enough. I won’t allow you to put him down, not when he is the one lifting me up. You are embarrassed by us? That’s fine. Go plant your trees and hope a perfect daughter will sprout from the ground instead of a stupid tree.” She stands abruptly, her face flushed, and I see the tears she’s still trying to hold back. I stand with her as she says, “Excuse me.”

Fable walks off, and I’m left astonished. I look back at her parents, who are both gobsmacked, and I shake my head in shame for them. “You have the most amazing daughter, and you don’t deserve her.”

“Nor do you, son. Don’t forget it,” Richie snaps at me.

“I don’t,” I say on a sigh, buttoning my jacket. “But I’ll do what you two won’t. I’ll love her without needing anything in return.”

They say something, but I don’t hear them as I head in the direction Fable went. I catch a glimpse of her as she heads out onto the balcony. The doors are open, letting in the warm summer night air. I find her leaning against the railing, looking out at the expansive forest of trees. They have decorated with fairy lights and lots of potted plants that make the space seem whimsical.

But the girl standing in the middle of the scene, her back on display, is the real magic.

I walk up behind her, caging her in as I lean my head on her shoulder. She leans back into me, sighing deeply, and I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her close.

“Stupid trees.”

I smile against her jaw. “I’ll burn down the forest for you.”

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