Page 57 of Starlight Bay

Lana.

It had to be her. I was entirely too far away to be sure, but my gut screamed ‘yes.’

I ran in the direction of the person, breathing hard, kicking sand up behind me. Finally, I was close.

“Lana!” I called, my voice swallowed up by the wind. “Lana!”

The person turned and my heart seized. It was definitely Lana, wearing a t-shirt and shorts, looking sexy as hell.

“Grant?” She squinted her eyes, trying to make me out.

“Yes. It’s me.” I closed the gap between us, my chest tight from both the running and the anxiety.

I took a deep breath, paused. Now that I’d found her, I was at a loss for words.Come on, Grant. Say what you need to say.

“Lana, I’m really sorry. I should have listened to you earlier today.” I paused, took a shaky breath, my neck and shoulders stiff with tension. “You were right. It’s not my place to tell youwhat you need. That’s your decision to make and I shouldn’t have presumed to know your heart and mind more than you do. I’m sorry.”

Lana shook her head. “That was really unfair. Those were Violet’s words, not mine. But I also understand you’ve been through a lot with Hudson’s mom. I forgive you.”

“Really?” I asked, raising my brow, a lightness filling my chest.

“Really,” she said, stepping closer to me. “And I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have said the things I said to you. That wasn’t right, either.”

I shrugged, the side of my mouth curving up into a smile. “Well, it was kind of true. I did go a little Daddy on you. It’s spillover from the gig, I think. But you’re right—I don’t know what life experiences you want to have, and it’s not my place to decide that for you. All I know is I don’t want to hold you back; that part is one-thousand percent true. So if you feel that way—now or ever—please let me know.”

Lana smiled, reaching her hand out and placing it on my chest.

“Grant, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. Not now, and definitely not with you. My life is better with you in it.”

“You’re sure about that?” I asked, tension easing from my muscles as relief flooded through me.

“Yes. I was fine before, but now I’m even better. Happier.” She gazed up at me and I couldn’t resist any longer. I took her face in my hands and pressed a slow, deep kiss on her warm lips. She tasted like summer and sweetness and hope all wrapped up in one delicious person.

“I love you,” she said, breathing the words against my lips.

My heart hammered so hard in my chest I was positive she could hear it. But I knew I needed to take a risk, put myself out there, even if it meant possibly getting hurt again.

I’d almost lost the woman I loved and I was determined not to make the same mistake twice.

“I love you, too, Lana.”

Circling my arms around her, I pulled her close to me, our bodies pressed together as we kissed for a long time there on the beach under the soft moonlight.

After a long while I said, “I need to text your sister. She’s probably worried.”

“What?” Lana leaned back, gazing up at me. “Why?”

“Long story.” I shrugged. “Let’s just say I went looking for you at your house and found Bethany instead.”

Lana chuckled. “I hope you didn’t wake up the neighbor. He’s pretty cranky.”

“All good there. And no law enforcement showed up. But Bethany might be worried about you.”

“Okay, text her.”

I pulled out my cell and punched in Bethany’s number.

“What are you going to say?” Lana asked, peering down at my cell.

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