Page 74 of All You Need Is Love

“Marshall.” She placed the palm of her hand against his unshaven jaw, and oh, how she’d missed touching him. “You are more than enough. I’m sorry that I didn’t show you that.”

“It was my own insecurity. Over what happened in the past, you know?”

Shannon nodded. She did know.

His hand slid around her waist. People oohed all around her. Oh yeah. They had an audience.

But at the moment, she just didn’t care. Shannon looped her arms around his neck.

Marshall knew her well, though, because he took one look around and pulled her through the crowd and out the door. They hurried down the boardwalk for several minutes.

“Where are you taking me?” The words came out breathy as she laughed.

“You’ll see.”

People dotted the sand with beach umbrellas unfurled and beach balls flying. Some lazed about on towels, while others ran through the waves. But the only person she cared about right now was Marshall St. John—the man who had stood up for her in front of the town, claiming the truth and not caring one iota about how it would feed the rumor mill of this small town.

And when he led her to the cove where they’d first met, she remembered how she’d felt that day—scared about the future. Worried she wouldn’t measure up as Noah’s mom.

But then he had appeared, and she’d been Cinderella at the ball.

Was midnight approaching again? Or would her handsome prince find a way to make the time last forever?

Marshall led Shannon to the edge of the water and slipped his arm around her shoulders, staring out across the horizon as the din of the crowded beach faded and the whistle of the waves took over.

“So …” She glanced up at him. “What now?”

The sudden flash of his dimples pummeled her. “According to my dad, we should run toward love. And that’s what I intend to do. That’s why I’m here, Shannon. Because more than any other person, I see the potential for that. With you.”

Love … Like Marshall, she wasn’t quite ready to declare it out loud, but something deep inside agreed with the sentiment. Knew she’d do anything to be near this man. Even face her own fears of rejection.

But wait. “Your dad?”

“Yes. That’s where I’ve been the last three weeks. I went to Los Angeles to see him.”

“That must have been hard. How did it go?”

“Better than I could have ever expected.” Marshall cocked his head and tightened his hold on her. “He apologized for everything, Shannon. It was unreal. And we spent the last several weeks getting to know each other better. Again.”

“And when did you decide to come back here?”

“Three weeks ago.”

She scrunched her nose. “But …”

He laughed, grabbing her hand and turning her to face him. “I had to make sure I could be the man you needed. Someone steady and sure.” The water skimmed their toes. “Someone who had dealt with the demons in my past so I didn’t run away again.”

Oh this man. “I’m glad you came back. And I happen to have a good chunk of time before work starts up again. Can I … can I come to visit you in New York?” Her free hand lifted almost of its own accord, and her thumb traced his jaw, his lower lip.

He smiled against it. “I would love that. But I’ll only be in New York a few more weeks.”

Her hand stilled. “What?”

“I’m moving to Los Angeles.”

He was? “To be closer to your dad?”

“And you.”

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