Page 77 of Please, Stay

Juliana rose on her toes and kissed him before resting her head against his chest and closing her eyes. “I know.” His heart’s quick, rhythmic thump pounded against her cheek. His hand fisted in the bottom of her hair.

“I’m not going to stand for this!” Her dad shouted. Juliana turned in Grayson’s arms, keeping herself between the two of them. Carrie buried her head into Eliza’s shirt with a small whimper at her dad’s loud, sharp voice.

Ms. Iris rushed from the other side of the room, her expression hard. “Quit your hollerin’, Hugh Campbell. You’re madder than a hornet in an old Coke can and scaring the child.”

Her dad paused in his pacing, turning his temper on her. “Iris, if I’m going to marry you, you’d better get used to a little hollerin’! I’m not going to walk around here like I’m at some damn ladies’ tea party.”

Ms. Iris’s fingertips pressed against her trembling mouth. His declaration of marriage was obviously not something they’d discussed. Juliana looked to Eliza, her expression of complete disbelief matching Juliana’s.

“Eliza,” her dad said, his voice filled with sudden tenderness. She stood and met him in front of the fireplace. He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’d love for you and Carrie to move in with me. At least until you get on your feet. I think I might need some help at the paper.”

“I’d love to, Daddy.”

An unsure, almost thankful look passed over his face when he turned back to Grayson. “Last night, Cameron’s friend, Addison, sent me the full video of you in Atlanta.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you for standing up for my daughter. I couldn’t have handled it better myself. Well, except I might have gotten a few licks in when the weasel was on the ground.”

“Believe me, I restrained myself.”

Her dad finally focused on Juliana with a look of bafflement. “I can’t believe I’m saying this. You should go with him. We can make this work. You’ve told me for years that we need to modernize theDispatchby outsourcing the printing and setting up the layout on the computer. Well, if you can have a steady internet connection in Australia or England, I don’t see why you need to live here. You can run theDispatchfrom anywhere in the world. Even add a few new columns to the paper from all the places you visit.”

Wait. What? “But your health?”

He waved his hand. “I have a passel of other mothering hens to make sure I eat right. Go, Juliana. Don’t stay here for me.” He took out his handkerchief and wiped his eyes. “You better come visit me, young lady. I can’t lose you.”

“Of course.” What did she just agree to? Leaving? Nothing made sense. She’d been prepared to go through the pain of Grayson leaving. Suffer without being able to touch or kiss him. And now he wanted her to leave?

Grayson turned her around until she faced him. “Will you come with me?” He clasped his hands with hers. The open eagerness gleaming in his eyes nudged her own excitement into reality.

“To Australia?” She’d not only leave Georgia but the entire country. Her unstamped passport would get its first stamp in Australia with the first man she’d ever loved.

“And England. I want more time with you.” He caressed her face and kissed her, his voice desperate. “I want to see how far this will go.”

Her dad leaned forward, far enough to catch both their attention when he cleared his throat. “It better goallthe way if you do.” He straightened and gave one curt nod. Juliana buried her head in Grayson’s chest.

Ms. Iris slapped Hugh playfully on the arm. “Hush up, Hugh. She ain’t a child.”

“Spousal abuse already.” Hugh grabbed Ms. Iris and kissed her soundly on the mouth. They broke apart, laughing.

Every wish she wanted came true in one day.

Grayson led Juliana back outside. The laughter from the living room died as the door closed behind them. The crisp December wind swept over the porch. He tugged her close. “You didn’t answer me. Will you come with me?”

“Are you sure you want me there?”

He reached into his back pocket, pulling out a small box. He opened it and pulled out a necklace. “You’re the first person in my life I’ve been sure about.” A small rose gold pendant, in the shape of a lion’s head, swung gently back and forth as he held up the necklace. She picked up her hair as he moved behind her and clasped it around her neck.

Juliana touched the lion pendant. “I love you, Grayson.” A flicker of surprise in his eyes killed her confidence and made her backtrack. “Oh, well, I know it’s quick, but back inside, you know, you mentioned falling in love with me.” Her hands danced back and forth. “So, I figured that we might be at that point—”

He silenced her with a finger pressed against her lips. “I love you, too.”

“Oh.” Relief washed through her. “That makes it easier because I’m going to have a hard time not saying it now.”

He hesitated a moment, his eyebrows pulled down low. “You’re the first person to ever say that to me who wasn’t paid to act.”

“No one’s ever…” Juliana rested her head back on his chest, tightening her arms around his waist. She grazed her fingers over the spot where his tattoo lay beneath his clothing. No one had ever told Grayson that they loved him? She would. Every chance she got.

She leaned back, loving the way his blue eyes watched her. “Where will you spend Christmas next year?”

“I guess I should start a new tradition.” He kissed her slow and easy. “Next year, I’ll be wherever you are.”

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