Page 118 of Forever To Me

I nearly choke. “Absolutely not.”

“Oh, honey.” She sighs dreamily. “It’s finally happening. Please tell meeverything.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “What is finally happening?”

“You’re smitten.”

I let out a hysterical laugh, probably further giving myself away. “I am not smitten.”

She laughs like she doesn’t believe a word I’m saying. “What’s his name?”

“Walker,” I grumble.

“Oh.” She pauses. “That’s a good name. Sounds very… masculine.”

I groan louder. “Goodbye, Mother.”

“Wait, wait, just one more question?—”

“Nope. Hanging up now.”

“Is he good with his hands? Because a cowboy bar owner sounds?—”

Click.

By the time I pull up to the Dogwood, Maggie is standing outside, hands on her hips, surveying the ongoing demolition like a queen overseeing her kingdom. She has on a pink hard hat that apparently the contractor gave her.

I hop out of the truck and march right up to her.“Thanks for telling Mom about Walker.”

Maggie smirks. “Oh, is he supposed to be a secret?”

“No, but?—”

She crosses her arms, completely unbothered. “Then what’s the problem?”

I open my mouth. Close it. Try again.

Maggie waits patiently, clearly entertained.

Finally, I huff. “She’s insufferable now. So are you.”

Maggie chuckles. “I’d imagine so. Your mother is a very smart woman.”

I narrow my eyes. “You are not helping."

Maggie gives me a sweet, innocent smile that I don’t buy for a second. “I’m just saying,” she muses, “I couldn’t have picked abetter man for you if I tried.” She lifts a brow. “Which, by the way, I didn’t. You showed up here at my doorstep if you recall.”

I shift my weight, suddenly very interested in the ground. “That’s?—”

“And I’m glad you did,” she adds, her voice softer now.

I glance up at her, that warmth in her eyes knocking the breath out of me. Because I’m glad, too.

And it’s not just the town. It’s not just the people I've grown to love. It’s him. The way he makes the world feel a little steadier. The way I don’t feel like a stranger here anymore—not when he looks at me like I already belong.

I don’t say it out loud.I don’t even know if Icansay it out loud.But I feel it.

Deep in my chest, my fingers curl into my sleeves, and my heart isn’t racing to run anymore.

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