Page 108 of You're the Reason

“Don’t do anything rash.” She placed a gentle hand on Grace’s arm. “Today I saw that heart again. You’re back.”

“Maybe.” Grace laid her hand on Seth’s chest. “But I left my heart in Heritage, and I think it’s time to go home.”

“I will let you think on it.” Madame Laurent narrowed her eyes, then disappeared out the door with Alec on her heels.

"How did you get back here?” She took a step forward.

“Mallory.”

Right. Deep breath. She could do this. “I’m sorry for the phone call it was?—”

He closed the distance, his expression solemn as his hands landed gently on her arms. “Honest. Hard truth I needed to hear. I was scared. I’ve never been in love with someone before, and?—”

“You love me?” She gripped the front of his shirt.

“I do.” His face softened into a smile. He ran a finger over her cheek. “Very much. But if you don’t want?—”

Grace pulled him forward, pressing her lips into his. She drew a deep breath, savoring everything about the moment. How he tasted of mint and smelled a musky scent that was uniquely Seth. Against all odds, they had made it work. She was his, and he was hers. And every day she would choose him.

His fingers laced though her hair as he eased her back, a teasing grin on his face. “Does that mean you do want something?”

“I do. I love you so much. I want ... forever.” That’s all she got out before his lips covered hers again. Grace sank into the kiss. For the first time after a performance, she felt loved and seen, and it had nothing to do with the dance. He’d come for her. And he’d come again. Because he knew her, saw her, and still loved her.

He eased her back ever so slightly. “I’m serious though. You were amazing out there. You have your joy back, and if you want to stay for another season, we’ll make it work.”

“I’ll admit that was my best show I’ve had. But it wasn’t because I remembered why I love dance.”

“Then what was it?”

“Don’t you know?” When he just stared at her blinking, she reached up and ran her fingers along his jaw. “You’re the reason. You’re the reason I loved dancing tonight. You’re the reason I found a way to dream again. You’re the reason I can’t wait to return to Heritage.”

Seth’s lips pressed against her again as he dug his fingers into her hair, catching them on her pins. Without breaking the kiss, he began removing them one at a time until her hair hung free at her shoulders. He ran his fingers through one more time as he pressed his forehead to hers. “And you’re the reason I ran the Ninja Warrior course.”

“So the rumors are true. How did it go?”

“Poorly.” He released a small chuckle as he ran his thumb over her chin. “But I was done being held back by my past. It was time to go all in.”

“All in.”

He leaned back and ran his fingers again though her hair sticking out at all odd angles. “I love it like this.”

“Like this?” She leaned back and shook it out. “It’s a mess.”

“We all are. And I’ll be there for your messes every step of the way.”

“And I’ll be there for yours. We will be beautifully messy together.”

He pressed his lips to hers once more, and she let herself be lost as her senses exploded with all things Seth. This was better than dancing.

After a few more moments, Grace leaned back. “Did you ever get anything in the mail about your dad?”

“That was you?” He pressed his forehead into hers as if he couldn’t get close enough. “How did you?—”

“Ms. Margret connected me with Grant, who helped. He was in the Army. I did it the day after we got back from Chicago.”

He closed his eyes as if the words pained him. “I am so sorry I didn’t listen to you. That I thought I couldn’t?—”

She covered his mouth with hers again, drawing out the kiss before pulling back. “All is forgiven. Every day’s a new day.”

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