Page 82 of Hope & Harmony

“Why didn’t you come when I woke up?” I turn so I’m facing Scott fully, leaning sideways against the rail, then reach out and take his hand in mine. “I would have loved to meet the man who saved my life.”

His face pinches. “Shawn and I went out of town for a few days—family stuff—and when I got back, you were gone. You’d woken up, and your parents had you moved somewhere else. I didn’t even know your last name, and Taryn wouldn’t budge. Said she could lose her job if I went looking for you and mentioned anything about her.” Scott shakes his head. “But I wanted to. I wanted to talk to you, wanted to know you were okay.”

I didn’t know anything about Scott until tonight. All I was told was that a good Samaritan brought me to the hospital, and that was why I walked away mostly unscathed. I wish I had known. I wish I’d known he sat vigil at my bedside whenever he could, even knowing he could get in trouble.

And I wish I could have met him back then. Talked to him.Thankedhim.

Though, I guess I can do that now.

“Thank you,” I say, squeezing his hand in mine.

But he shakes his head. “You don’t have to thank me.”

“I do, though.” I inch closer to him, dipping my head to catch his eyes. “You quite literally made the difference betweenme standing here, completely healthy, and something that could have been much, much worse.”

He squeezes my hand back. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

We watch each other for a beat, and then I take a step closer, tucking myself into his side. As if it’s the most natural thing in the world, his arm wraps around my shoulder, pulling me close.

His warmth seeps through my clothes, embedding itself into my skin and nestling beneath my bones. I wasn’t cold before, but the feeling of being next to him, wrapped in him, warms me just the same.

Our embrace grows long, and I rest my face against his chest, my hands rubbing gently against his back. Scott holds me like I’m precious, and the caring way his fingers stroke down my spine sends that shiver through me again. I tilt my head back, gazing up into his eyes and breathing out a sigh of relief when I think I see the same look mirrored back at me.

Desire.

That idea is back again, and before it can dissipate or be explained away or dismissed, I rise up onto my toes and press my lips to his.

CHAPTER 4

SCOTT

I only allow myself a beat or two of surprise before I return Madi’s eager kiss with my own, my mouth opening and my tongue dipping inside, tasting her sweetness. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think something like this would happen tonight.

Okay, maybe that’s a lie. Maybe in mywildestdreams, I could envision a night of passion with the girl who has been on my mind for years, but never in reality. Never like this, never with such a deep, obvious connection that I never could have expected.

From the moment I saw her earlier tonight, there was a sense of knowing her. And I think, just maybe, it feels the same way for her.

Then a thought occurs to me, and I pull away, breaking our kiss.

“This isn’t some like…thank you, is it?” I say, panting as if I’ve run a mile. “Because I wouldneverwant…”

“No!” she says, shock in her tone, though it cuts off as she laughs. “Oh my god, no.”

A tightness in my chest eases at her reassurance. I didn’t think it was true, but I wanted to be sure, even if it made things awkward to ask.

“Good.”

“No, definitely not. I just…” She shakes her head and steps back, and I instantly miss her warmth. “Do you feel it? This…” She waves her hand between us. “…connection? Or whatever?”

I nod. “I do.”

Her shoulders fall. “Really?”

I nod again. “Yeah.”

Madi’s smile returns, the brightness of it so relieving.

“Thank god. Because I felt it the moment I saw you tonight, and part of me thought maybe it was just because you’re the man who saved my life, but I don’t think that’s it. I think there’s something else, something special. Something…”

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