Page 74 of Sighs By the Sea

My head jerks back in surprise. “Really? Why?”

“Because I kept it from you.”

“No, you didn’t. You told me last night you had to keep something from me until you could get more information. I’m going to guess that’s what you were doing today. Tilly and Andy didn’t tell me, and they, well, they probably had their reasons.” It’s true. Despite my moody tendencies, I know they’re the most supportive people in my life.

Tears brim in her eyes, and I cup her cheek, my thumb brushing away the first tear that falls. “Maggie, are you okay?”

She nods, but then the sobs burst out, and she buries her face in my chest. “Woah, Mags. What’s going on?” I ask, concern lacing my voice.

Between sobs, she chokes out, “You’re so… so perfect!”

I grin, using a finger to lift her chin so she can see the humor in my eyes. “Hardly.”

“Then how do you explain this? How can you not be mad at me, or screaming, or freaking out?”

I run my hand through my hair, trying to find the right words. “I am freaking out. But you’re with me, and I don’t know, it’s just easier.”

She shakes her head, tears still streaming down her face. “The truth is, Maggie, the minute I found you, things just clicked for me. I started imagining a future again, things I wanted, and how I could make you happy. I hadn’t done that in a very long time.” Seeing her cry is more painful than finding out Suzannah is alive. I wipe her tears away with both thumbs, holding her gaze. With a small smile, I kiss the tip of her nose.

Maggie clutches onto my shirt, her voice barely above a whisper. “Stop, Grayson. Please.”

“No.” We both chuckle, knowing I won’t. Her hands mirror mine, cupping my cheeks, and she rubs her thumbs over the scruff on my jaw.

“Maggie,” I whisper, and she tilts her head up, meeting me halfway as our lips press together. My hands slip around her waist, pulling her closer as our mouths open, tongues sliding together. Each second we’re connected, the tension in my chest loosens, replaced by a warmth that spreads through my whole body. Her kiss is everything—tender, passionate, perfect. She is perfect.

It’s a long time before she pulls away. “Thank you, Grayson,” she says, her words making my heart swell with affection. I can’t help but smile.

“You're welcome,” I reply, and we both laugh at the simplicity of the response.

"Now that that's out of the way," I say, standing up and offering her a hand. She takes it, confusion flickering across her face. "Come on, let me teach you how to cook real spaghetti."

She pops to her feet with a playful sigh. "No jars?"

I growl, shooting her a mock glare over my shoulder. "I'll take that as a 'never.'"

In the kitchen, she hops onto the counter, watching as I start gathering ingredients. Tomatoes, garlic, onions, and some green peppers for my sauce. I hand her a knife and some garlic to chop while I search for noodles.

Once the sauce is simmering, I wipe my hands on a towel and stand in front of her. She looks more relaxed now, her earlier tension gone. "Maggie?" I ask, my tone signaling that I have something serious to say.

"Uh, yes?" Her eyes dart nervously around the kitchen.

"There's this thing my cousins are putting together…” She exhales loudly and nods with a broad smile. "See, they need more volunteers.”

"Oh?"

I smack her playfully with the towel, and she giggles. "What kind of volunteers?"

"They did some contest for at-risk youth and are going to fly them in from all over the country. Ten, I think. They're going to teach them to surf and serve good food."

Her face brightens, and I quickly add, "And I can't go."

Her expression falls. "Why not?" I gesture to my chest, and she snickers, understanding my situation. "Will you go in my place?"

I barely finish the question before she’s nodding enthusiastically. "Of course! I love doing those kinds of things! Oh, can Harry come too? He surfed when he was younger, I think. Well, I don't think—I know. I just mean I think he'd like to help." It’s adorable how fast she’s babbling, and I step closer, resting my hands on the counter behind her.

"Maggie?"

She looks up at me, her eyes wide, and I can’t help but smile. "I need to shower while that cooks." Her cheeks flush a soft pink, and I lean down to kiss her neck, feeling her shiver in response. "And I’m terrible at washing my back."

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