Page 96 of I’d Be Honored

When Christmastime came, Hayley and Maddie chose to shut out the rest of the world and spend the holiday wrapped only in each other’s company. Their apartment glowed with the warm twinkle of a freshly decorated tree as they exchanged gifts between sips of crisp martinis and neat scotch. Maddie claimed the remote for the day, forcing Hayley through a marathon of holiday romance movies while flour dusted the kitchen counters.

Their attempt at baking had quickly devolved into chaos and laughter when Maddie dabbed a bit of sticky cookie dough on Hayley’s cheek, then leaned in to slowly lick it off. All thoughts of baking vanished instantly. Hayley scooped her girlfriend into her arms and carried her straight to their bedroom, leaving behind a messy trail of sugar and chocolate chips in their wake.

It was one of the most magical winter seasons Hayley had ever known, full of the kind of love she once believed only belonged to other people. As the year settled into its final hush, she realized that instead of walls, she had begun to build a life, one that her mother would have been proud of. With Maddie’s hand in hers, Hayley walked confidently into the unknown, certain only that the best parts were still ahead of them.

EPILOGUE

One Month Later

NEW YEAR’S EVE HAD COME AND gone with Maddie and Hayley curled together in soft loungewear at Gemma and Caitlin’s house. The four of them had drunk far too much wine, laughing and dancing in their living room while they watched the ball drop in Times Square on TV.

When the clock struck midnight, Hayley’s first New Year’s kiss with Maddie had completely stolen the breath from her lungs. Surrounded by the roar of New York City welcoming the new year, the gentle press of Maddie’s lips had become a quiet sanctuary.

“That must be one good memory.” Sarah’s voice broke Hayley from her thoughts.

Even now, weeks into January, the memory of that night still brought a flush to Hayley’s cheeks. She looked up as her assistant walked in, placing a cup of coffee on her desk.

Hayley rarely bothered to hide her smile anymore. “I was just thinking about Maddie.”

Sarah grinned knowingly. “I have those contracts you asked for. Isn’t closing day just the best?”

Hayley took the crisp sheets of paper delicately, as if they were made of solid gold. “Thank you, Sarah.”

“Good luck.” Sarah winked, beaming as she twirled back to her desk.

——

That evening, as the sun set over the city, Hayley packed up her laptop and headed to her best friend’s house for dinner. The two couples had developed a routine of hanging out at least once a week, no questions asked. Caitlin and Hayley were always the chefs, happily cooking for their two favorite women, while Gemma and Maddie dutifully kept the wine glasses full.

Sitting around the long dining table that night, Hayley found her gaze anchored to Maddie, no matter how hard she tried to focus on anything else. She finally understood the truths Gemma had spent years trying to explain. Being in love wasn’t some soft, drifting cloud. It was a pulse that lived deep in one’s chest, a fierce, driving force that shaped every waking moment.

“Since we’re all together, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk about,” Maddie started, and Hayley’s heart dropped. “I know we don’t leave until March, but Hayley, I really want you to come with me. With us.” She gestured around the table.

Maddie had told her about the new movie a few months ago, and she had to smile through the panic that rose in her chest. Nine weeks apart felt like an exile, especially since Gemma and Caitlin would be gone too, filming alongside her. The loneliness waiting for Hayley on the other side of February already felt sharp enough to draw blood.

“Really?” she asked, barely trusting what she had heard over the heavy thumping of her heart.

“Hay, if you say you can’t leave the office for that long, I’m going to freak out,” Gemma chimed in, helping to unravel the tight knot in her stomach.

Hayley let out a breathless laugh, trembling slightly with relief. “I would love to go with you, baby.” She kissed Maddie and held her lips there for a beat longer. “I can work from Europe. And honestly, it’s probably time to trust my agents a little more and let them handle things while I’m gone.”

A spark of pure excitement flared in Maddie’s eyes, and Hayley felt tension she didn’t even know she’d been holding drain from her body.

“Andddd,” Caitlin added, “Sandy and Eve are going to join us for a few weeks, too.”

“Those two.” Gemma wagged her eyebrows. “They were attached at the hip at our wedding, and when I went to find them to make sure they got some cake, they were both gone.”

Hayley caught the look Caitlin and Maddie exchanged. “What aren’t you two telling us?”

Maddie gestured for Caitlin to take this one. “Sandy was in town before the wedding. She took Eve out for drinks.”

“What!?” Gemma gasped. “And you never told me!”

Caitlin held up her palms in mock surrender.

“You know what,” Maddie said, taking the last sip of her wine. “They would actually make a really cute couple.”

Caitlin squealed. “Oh my God, the six of us in Europe. This is going to be so much fun!”