Page 98 of First Love, Second Draft

Others cut in to hug Matt and clap him on the back. Gracie backed away, bumping into Rachel. “Oh. Sorry, honey.”

Rachel smiled and wrapped her in a hug. “I hope you know how grateful I am. I owe you so much.”

Gracie’s eyes stung. “For what? I haven’t done anything.”

“You’ve been cheering us on since the very beginning. You don’t know how much it’s meant to know we’ve always had someone in our corner. I mean, without you, who knows?” Rachel leaned back and gave her a wink. “I may have settled for a farmer.”

Great. Now in addition to the stinging eyes, a boulder had lodged in her throat. Gracie grabbed Rachel’s hands. “I’m sorry your sister couldn’t make it.”

“It’s fine. Better that she didn’t. I didn’t want her getting anywhere close to Ace again anyway. Matt and I are going to go visit her as soon as we get the chance.”

“Good.” Gracie gave Rachel’s hands a final squeeze. “Now get out of here. Go have some fun. You two deserve it.”

Matt swooped in, wrapping his arms around Rachel. “Ready?”

“Oh yeah,” she whispered.

Whoops and hollers escorted them outdoors and into Buck’s Corvette. Not bad for a getaway car. But they could probably ride off together on a mule and be happy tonight. Gracie watched them leave, waving goodbye even after she knew they couldn’t see her anymore.

You don’t know how much it’s meant to know we’ve always had someone in our corner.

She used her finger to swipe a tear before it spilled over. Is that what happened between her and Noah? They stopped being in each other’s corner?

The rest of the guests made their way to their cars and headed out. Gracie remained outside, wrapped up in her shawl. Wrapped up in her thoughts.

When the sound of footsteps drew closer, she didn’t have to look behind her to know it was Noah. She could feel his presence the moment goose pimples rose on her skin.

He stopped next to her with his hands in his pockets, the indoor lighting showing off half of his ridiculously handsome face.

“You can’t just ignore what’s happening between us, Gracie.”

“I’m not ignoring anything.” Okay, half of her was ignoring everything. The other half was trying to figure out what to do about everything.

“Do you still love me?” Noah asked, his voice deep and steady.

“That’s not the issue. I’ve already explained it.”

“Then you’re going to have to explain it again.” Noah stepped in front of her, dipping his head so she was forced to look him in the eyes. “Did you not see those two kids ride out of here just a little bit ago? That was us, Gracie. Twenty years ago, that was us, head over heels in love. And you can’t tell me you wouldn’t move heaven and earth to see those two kids from twenty years ago make it the same way you want to see Matt and Rachel make it today.”

Give Noah a chance.

Why did it feel like everybody was ganging up on her tonight?

And why did it feel like maybe they were right? Maybe she should take the risk. Give Noah another chance.

Headlights angled up the drive to the barn and flooded over them. Gracie lifted her forearm to block her eyes. Noah turned and did the same.

Soon as the car rolled to a stop, a tall, shadowed figure stepped out. For one panicked second Gracie thought it was Luke. But then a voice she hadn’t heard in five years said Noah’s name.

Dusty?What was Noah’s manager from Seattle doing here?

Apparently Noah wondered the same thing. His voice, deep andsteady a few moments ago, now croaked out hesitant and hoarse. “What are you doing here, Dusty?”

“Seeing if you’re ready to be a hero again.” Dusty tossed something in the air, and when Noah caught it against his chest Gracie realized it was his baseball glove. “You’re back on the roster, kid.”

60

Simone:Noah’s agent is blowing up my phone. What’s going on? Did something happen to Noah? (Please tell me he didn’t die.)

---