Page 123 of Closer than Ever

“Don’t start. I mean it. We have things to do today.”

Hayley sighed and diligently dismounted Anna’s thighs. She sat next to her on the sofa and crossed one leg over the other. Anna loved that they could mess around one minute and be sensible the next. Hayley picked up the picture frame and studied it. She ran her hand over the smooth and ornate edges. “It really is a beautiful piece of art as well. I didn’t know you did things like this as well as your sturdy furniture.”

Anna had crafted some contours into the frame and cut the smaller frames into different sizes and different angles. “It’s the first time I’ve done something like this. I really enjoyed it.”

“You should make more. I love it.”

“Maybe I will when we get back from the trip.” Anna didn’t know what the future held for them just yet. Would they live here, travel for more than their initial planned year or move to the States? But she had made her peace with not knowing and with uncertainty. It was liberating.

“You know, I think you’re embodying that wolf on your arm these days. It’s so courageous what you’re doing, going away with me, leaving your life here, taking a chance on us. I’m so grateful.”

“I do feel like it suits me better these days.” Anna touched her tattoo.

“I mean, with all that chopping wood, your arms are looking so good. So strong.” Hayley’s jaw tightened. “Fuckable.”

“You really have a one-track mind.”

“I’m sorry.” She shook her head. “I promise not to talk about sex for the next hour.”

Anna laughed. “It’s okay. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

“How are you feeling about going away?”

“I’m excited. I’ve always wanted to go to that part of the world. I’ve never done anything as big as this before.”

“I know.” Hayley held her hand. “I’m so happy we’re taking this step together. I’m so happy we’re going to get to experience this together. I’m just so happy.”

“I love to hear that.”

“It’s because of you.”

“That’s an amazing compliment but I’m getting dizzy up here on this pedestal you’re putting me on. What if you get bored of me when we’re not running around the world?”

Hayley shook her head and smiled. “See that’s the thing. You’re always so down to earth. I love you, Anna. And I always will. Exciting trips or not. Sex every day or not.”

Anna laughed. “We’ll see.” She put her lips onto Hayley’s and lingered there. “I love you, too. And since we’re doing thank-yous – thank you for helping me see how fun life can be if you’re open to it. I was so closed off to new things in life before you came back. All my fun was organised at least three months in advance. I was so routinised I’d forgotten how to live.”

“You weren’t that bad, my love.” Hayley’s voice was kind.

“I was practically announcing my retirement and I wasn’t even in a relationship.”

“You want what you want. That hasn’t gone away. We’re just taking the time right now to do all the things we won’t be able to do for a while once we have kids.”

Anna exhaled, softly. That Hayley was openly talking about their future was so exciting. Hayley wanted the same things as her and she was actively envisioning a future together. Anna couldn’t have been happier, either. “I actually love the sound of that.”

Hayley tucked a strand of Anna’s hair behind her ear. Anna was still getting used to it being longer. Hayley rested her forehead on Anna’s. “Me too.”

Anna wrapped her arms around Hayley’s waist. They stayed there like that just holding each other and not saying anything. The force of their connection was so strong, all Anna could do was hold on and feel the power of it.

“This feels like home,” Hayley whispered.

“It does.”

Hayley lifted her head away and looked into her eyes. “Can you believe this gets to be our life now?”

“I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet.” Anna smiled.

“I hope it never does.”

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