Page 134 of Mine to Take

Her teeth scrape across her lower lip. “I love you, Maverick.”

Those words steal the air from my lungs. I’ve been wanting to tell her I love her for the last week or two, but I was worried that she wasn’t there yet. I’m trying to take our relationship slow so I don’t scare her away with the enormity of my feelings. It’s a relief that I don’t have to hide them anymore.

“I love you too.”

With a smile, she presses her lips against mine. “Let’s go home so you can show me exactly how much.”

“Deal.”

Epilogue

Willow

Two years later…

* * *

“Ms. Thompson? I have a question.”

I turn away from the SMART Board where I’m writing out the math problems we’ll be tackling for our lesson this afternoon.

“Yes, Alice?”

“Are we having a guest today?”

My brows draw together, wondering where the question came from. One of the first things we do in the morning is go over our schedule for the day. If there’s a change to the itinerary, that’s when we talk about it. Our second-grade class runs smoother when everyone understands what to expect and there aren’t any surprises.

“Nope. Today’s a normal day. No speakers or assemblies.” I tilt my head. “Why do you ask?”

When the little girl points toward the classroom door, I follow the movement. A burst of happiness explodes inside me when my gaze collides with mahogany-colored eyes.

Maverick.

That’s all it takes for a smile to break out across my face as he lifts his hand in a wave.

Some of the kids who play hockey jump to their feet.

“That’s Maverick McKinnon,” Devon Richfield yells, body vibrating with excitement.

“He’s so cool!” Brett Samson adds.

Alice swivels toward the boys and chirps, “My mom says that Ms. Thompson is a very lucky lady.”

My brows shoot up before my gaze slices back to Maverick.

His shoulders shake with humor, because he knows exactly what that little girl’s mom is implying.

And, yeah, it’s true.

I am very lucky.

It’s so tempting to close the distance between us and throw myself into his arms. Even though it’s only been five days since I saw him, it feels like forever. I want to soak up every little detail and commit it to memory.

It’s only when he steps farther inside the classroom that I realize he’s not alone. My parents and River are crowded behind him.

I blink, surprised to see them.

The only time they’ve been here is when I was first hired as a second-grade teacher. The three of them stopped to check out my classroom, and I gave them a tour of the building. Mom cried the entire time. Not because she was worried about me getting sick but because she was so proud.

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