Page 47 of All You Need Is Love

“Some spotlights are brighter than others, but they burn out a lot faster. Maybe she’s figuring that out.”

“Maybe.” She snuggled into his embrace, watching the waves, their hearts beating together in time. “So … what now?”

“I don’t know.” And he hated that. “The only thing I do know is that I don’t want to say goodbye after this weekend.”

“Could … you stay longer?”

“I can see about that. I have some leave saved up.” He studied her, another idea swirling in his head. Just ask her. The howls of the seals urged him on, an encouraging ensemble. “Since you’re still off work until the school year starts, how would you feel about coming to New York for a bit?”

“I don’t want to say goodbye either, Marshall.” She stared at the collar of his shirt, unwilling or unable to meet his gaze. “But things with Noah are so uncertain right now. I don’t know that I should leave.”

“Even for a few days?” And as soon as the words left his mouth, he tasted their selfishness. “Never mind. Of course you don’t want to leave.”

“I want to visit you. Maybe if the whole Noah situation wasn’t happening …” She shrugged. “But it is, until I hear otherwise.”

“I understand. Really.” He squeezed her, tossing on a gentle smile he didn’t feel. “We’ll figure it out. I promise.”

How? He wasn’t sure. In the short term, he could make a few trips out here. But in the long term—if there were a long term—how would that work? If she adopted Noah, then she’d want to stay here since his grandma was in Walker Beach.

Which meant Marshall would have to move. And it wasn’t like he loved his job so much he wasn’t willing to do that if this developed into something deeper. Not like he couldn’t find another marketing job closer to Walker Beach.

But he couldn’t quite let go of the nagging whisper in the back of his mind—the one that reminded him of how it had wrecked his parents’ relationship when both of them weren’t willing to give in equal measure. The one that wondered if Shannon was using Noah as an excuse because she didn’t really believe this might be worth the risk.

That Marshall might not be worth the risk.

Ah geez, he was turning into an emotional sap. Pushing the negative thoughts away, he focused on the woman in front of him. She was real and solid with not a whisper of what-if.

And his world was more beautiful with her in it.

* * *

Love was on her mind today—and not just because she was busy decorating for Ben and Bella’s wedding.

As family members buzzed all around the Iridescent Inn’s courtyard, Shannon hummed to herself. She stood back to examine the placement of the three hurricane vases of varying sizes on the round table in front of her, then stepped forward to adjust some of the flower petals she’d scattered around them. The sun was at the tiptop of the sky, providing light but thankfully not enough heat for her to worry that the thick cream-colored candles might melt within the textured glass. Beneath the candles, which sat on coated metal cups inside the vases, she’d artfully placed a mixture of sand, seashells, and white flowers.

Bella had given her free rein with these centerpieces, so Shannon had spent hours over the last few months scouring the Internet to come up with the perfect look for the reception tables. Her mom always teased that she’d become a preschool teacher so she could do arts and crafts full-time, and maybe that wasn’t far from the truth. Shannon just loved making things beautiful. And weddings were her favorite.

Maybe someday, it would be her own wedding she’d be decorating tables for. Marshall’s face flashed in her mind, and she couldn’t help touching her lips as the memory of his kisses just hours ago flooded in. And when he’d suggested a visit to New York, she’d wanted to drop everything, forget her responsibilities, and say yes. To not care what anyone else thought. To leave her comfort zone and see if she could fly on the wings she’d had all her life but never used.

Could she actually be falling in love? It was a ridiculous thought, right?

But stranger things had happened.

“That looks wonderful, honey.”

Her humming ceased as Shannon spun to find her mom at her elbow. “Thanks, Mom. I think the decor turned out okay.”

Mom slipped an arm around her shoulders. “It’s perfect. The right mix of elegance and casual beach theme that Bella wanted. You have a gift, sweetie.” She squeezed then looked down at her. “Something about you is … different. You seem more confident. Maybe that’s it.”

Yes, because for once, she hadn’t been the sister in the shadows. Someone had seen her there, coaxed her out onto the figurative stage of her life.

With another squeeze, Mom moved on to help Aunt Lisa with something in the inn’s kitchen. In a few hours, Shannon would have to run home for a shower, then be back here for the rehearsal and on to the Walker Beach Bar & Grill, which Ben and Bella had rented out for the rehearsal dinner.

But for now, Shannon continued with the tables, smoothing out a few wrinkles from the tablecloths and straightening silver chargers on the table. After she’d finished, she found her purse sitting on one of the chairs and fished her phone from inside to check the time.

One missed call and a voicemail.

She inhaled quickly. It was from the foster care agency.

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