“It’s not that kind of marriage,” Audrey explained quickly.

“What sort of marriage is it?”

“Well. I guess Claire’s description of a ‘marriage of convenience’ is as apt as any,” Audrey said, “though it’s not so cold as that. But you always hear that the best marriages are the ones based on friendship, right? Everyone imagines that when they get married, it’ll be to their best friend. And I realized, the only way I was going to get that marriage is if I marry Clarke.”

“Friendship is an important element,” Claire agreed carefully. “But it’s not the only element.”

“Right. Sex,” Naomi said again.

“Would you stop with that!” Audrey said, unable to keep the exasperation out of her tone as she turned to her friend. “I hear what you’re saying. I do. I know that Clarke and I aren’t going about this the normal way. But we’re not looking for the normal kind of marriage. We’re not looking for what you and Scott have,” she said, looking at Claire, “or what you and Oliver have.”

“But—”

“No,” Audrey said firmly. “I’m allowed to do things differently than you two. You are doing it differently from each other! Naomi, you’ve been living with Oliver since before Claire even met Scott, and Scott and Claire are married. So why can’t I choose my own path? I love Clarke every bit as much as you two love Oliver and Scott. It’s just different.”

“And you want different?” Claire’s voice was gentle.

It was something Audrey had asked herself constantly over the past few days, and she’d finally settled on the answer.

“I want safe,” she said quietly. “I want someone who will never hurt me.”

“The way Brayden did,” Naomi said astutely.

Audrey gave a jerky nod.

“I can understand that. I do understand that,” Claire amended. “But as special as what you and Clarke have, are you sure you want to give up on all hope of romance? You’re so—”

Audrey lifted a finger in warning. “Do not say I’m so young.”

Claire pursed her lips. “Okay. I won’t. But plenty of people meet the love of their life in their thirties.” She pointed between Naomi and herself. “What happens two years from now if you get swept off your feet in Food Emporium?”

Audrey’s nose wrinkled. “Why would I be in Food Emporium?”

“Fine, then with the Citarella deliveryman,” Claire said, referring to the fancy grocery store Audrey preferred. “You know exactly what I’m asking, and you’re avoiding it.”

Audrey sighed. “I know. And look, we talked about it. If one of us meets someone who we can’t live without, we’ll deal with it. But why would I just sit around lonely on the off chance that might happen, when I could have something really lovely and wonderful now?”

“Audrey.” Naomi’s face softened. “You’re lonely?”