Page 59 of Sweet Madness

My heart starts to beat in a slow rhythm as if it recognizes its owner is inches away.

Settle down, heart. He’s here now.

I stop, look at the telescope and blanket, and then stare up at him. “Why did you do this?” I ask in awe. I don’t recall telling him about my assignment. How does he know? How does he always know what to do and what to say?

Shaw shrugs. “You need to do your assignment, yes?”

I nod, words stuck in my throat.

When I reach the blanket, overwhelmed with emotion, I don’t think when I throw my arms around his neck. His familiar scent—Old Spice—comforting and reassuring. Shaw awkwardly pats my back and then gently pulls back. “Go ahead and chase your constellations, darling,” he murmurs, brushing a curl from my face.

“I can’t believe you did this!” I exclaim as I kneel on the blanket and inspect the telescope more closely.

Shaw then adjusts the telescope, inviting me to peer through its lens. “Look,” he says softly, pointing out a cluster of stars that shimmer like diamonds against the velvet darkness.

How… wonderful. I think as I look up at Shaw.

My heart starts to beat wildly inside my chest.

As I gaze through the telescope, my heart swells with affection and unrequited love for this grump who has shown he’s not that grumpy after all. Shaw has orchestrated this magical moment, proof of his thoughtful and kind heart.

I quickly pull out the notebook I brought with me and start to write the first sentence that comes to mind. I want to write how much I love astronomy because it reminds me of Shaw Banning—dark, mysterious, and unbelievably enchanting—but I don’t. Instead, I write down what I feel at this moment as I gaze at the night sky, and when I’m finished, I act as if I haven’t just to make this night with this beautiful man last.

We sit together in silence, occasionally murmuring observations about the constellations above, sharing a closeness that transcends words. Every time Shaw shares a fact about space, it makes my heart fall harder for him, if that is even possible.

All I know, all I’ve ever known, is that my heart has been falling for this man long before I knew the true definition of love.

As the night nears its end, I feel wrapped in the serenity of the moment and the warmth of his presence. Deep down, I know I will cherish this lovely memory forever.

Everything about this night is perfect.

Perfect just like him.

The sparkling stars, the moon, and everything up there shine down on us as we admire their beauty from down here.

In silence, I think about how this moment is proof of how someone can make my heart soar simply by understanding the depths of my soul. And I don’t think he even realizes just how much his thoughtfulness means to me—how much I treasure his quiet strength and kind yet awkward gentleness.

As we sit side by side under the canopy of stars, I realize that I wasn’t wrong before when I felt empty and tired of the glitz and glamor. Sometimes, the most extraordinary moments in life are the ones that take my breath away with their simplicity—not the flashing lights or extravagant trips. No.

Moments like this one with a beautiful soul like Shaw.

When I finish editing my short essay, I raise my head and find Shaw staring at me in a way he hasn’t looked at me before—in a way that makes it almost impossible for me to find my next breath.

As I look into those whiskey-brown eyes, I know with absolute certainty that Shaw is all I have ever wanted. Being with him makes me feel complete, like I have finally found my place in the universe. And in that moment, surrounded by the quiet beauty of the night and the warmth of Shaw’s presence, I know I have found home.

I feel a rush of emotions overwhelm me—the warmth of Shaw’s gaze, the tenderness in his touch. All shyness melts away in that instant as I realize how much I truly care for him.

Without thinking, I lean in and press my lips softly against his.

Shaw freezes for a moment, surprise written all over his expression. He then surprises me by gently cupping my face in his hands and pressing a tender kiss to my forehead.

“Moonshine,” he murmurs against my forehead, his voice tender yet sad.

I look up at him, my heart bursting with everything I feel for him. His touch is gentle yet firm, grounding me in the moment. I feel safe and cherished under the blanket of stars, knowing I am exactly where I belong. “What?”

“This can’t happen,” he murmurs.

“Why?” I ask gently.

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