Page 63 of Daring Destiny

“I thought you were different. I never thought you, of all people, would fucking lie to me. Treat me like I’m gum on your shoe.” Astrid’s jaw is set. “I don’t want to talk to you . I need to be on my own.”

“Let’s drive back to your place,” I plead.

“No. You go back to your townhouse. Or to your family dinner.Whatever. I don’t care. All I know is I won’t be there tonight.” She holds up her phone. “My Uber will be here in a minute. Give me some fucking space. We can talk when you come back in two weeks.”

“Wait! Astrid. I love you. Please, don’t leave like this.” I stop in my tracks as a Lincoln Navigator pulls up and she gets in.

She doesn’t answer.

The door slams shut.

And the love of my life drives off without another word.

twenty-five

Astrid

Two Weeks Later

Anotherlong,exhaustingafternoonis in the books.

As I approach my houseboat, I already feel the weight of the day ease off my shoulders. It’s been a long two weeks. Endless showings. Difficult clients.

The woman I was working with today couldn’t decide whether they wanted a glass penthouse with a view of Puget Sound or a Craftsman mansion within the heart of Madrona. She chose the mansion, naturally, at my prompting.

Normally, I’d be buzzing with adrenaline after closing a deal where I’ll get a five-hundred-k commission check, but now all I want is to see Brennan.

I’ve cooled off substantially since our argument after brunch. Once I had some time to sort out my feelings, I realized my anger wasn’t about his hyperfocus revelation. I mean, c’mon. It wasn’t like I hadn’t thought he might be neurodivergent. So what? I love him for who he is.

No. It hurt me to feel left out of such an important part of his life. We’ve been close for years, now. Why didn’t he trust me?

I’m used to it when it comes to my parents and sisters. Men I’ve dated. With Brennan, though, I guess I thought we told each other everything. I mean, I’ve shared all my secrets. It’s devastating to think he was scared to tell me. My emotions went haywire. I overreacted.

Did some research. Realized it wasn’t about me.

Admittedly, I was blindsided. Neurodivergence is a big word. A big concept. At first, I reacted the way I always do when I’m hurt. I pulled away and made it about how he didn’t trust me.

It stung, knowing I’d missed something this important about the man I love so deeply. Especially when I take pride in reading people so well.

Once I had some distance, I dug deeper. Read everything I could find. Tried to come to an understanding about why he kept such a big part of his life from me.

I realized it wasn’t about trust at all.

For someone like Brennan, hyperfocus isn’t just a quirk; it’s something he’s worked around his whole life. Managing it in silence, without expecting anyone to understand. I can see things from his perspective. Opening up to the person he loves so deeply might’ve felt like exposing his biggest weakness.

I’m not gonna lie. Even with all my research and newfound understanding, it’s complicated. Part of me is still hurt he didn’t let me in sooner.

Still, I realize if you love someone fully, you don’t just take in their easy parts. You work to understand the ones they keep hidden, too.

We’ve talked every day since. Resumed our usual long-distance pattern. He’s back in town for a week to, hopefully, finalize his deal with CognifyAI. While he’s here, we’re doing a demo of Reuniverse for Jason Deveraux. Brennan believes the technology is more lucrative than CognifyAI.

He’s on the late flight from Palo Alto, so I have enough time to shower and change before driving to SeaTac. I can’t wait to see him. Make up in person. Reconnect mentally and physically. Get our groove back.

I park the car and notice lights glowing warmly inside the houseboat and the silhouette of someone moving around. My heart skips a beat and I’m about to dial 9-1-1 when I recognize the person inside.

Brennan.

I throw my car in park and burst through the door. Sure enough, he’s placing a stunning arrangement of flowers in a crystal vase on the table, which is beautifully set up with candles, white linen napkins, and a spread of food we’ll never be able to finish.