Page 36 of Tempted By the Alpha Outlaw

She shrugs, leaning back again. “Why not? It could be…romantic.”

My cheeks burn. “It’s not like that,” I protest weakly.

Peaches raises an eyebrow. “Oh, come on, Maggie. I know you better than that. You like him.”

“I don’t—” I start, but the words catch in my throat because they’re a lie, and we both know it.

Peaches grins, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “It’s okay to admit it, you know,” she says. “He’s not exactly hard on the eyes.”

I can’t help the small laugh that escapes me, even as I bury my face in my hands. “I hate you,” I mumble, my voice muffled.

“No, you don’t,” she says lightly. “But seriously, Maggie. If you want him, go for it. Life’s too short to sit around waitin’ for someone else to make the first move.”

I groan, sinking deeper into the water until it’s lapping at my chin. “You make it seem so simple.”

Peaches grins like she’s just been awarded a prize, tucking her legs up under her as she balances on the rock. “Love is simple,” she says breezily. “And on that note…I’ve been hearin’ some things. Have you…you know…?”

I blink at her, confused. “Have I what?”

“Kissed him.” Her voice is matter-of-fact, but there’s a teasing light in her eyes that makes me want to slide under the water and stay there.

“What? No!” My voice cracks slightly, and Peaches’ grin grows impossibly wider.

“No?” she repeats, drawing the word out in disbelief. “Maggie, come on. He walked you home. He’s fixin’ that old hunk of junk projector for you. He looks at you like you hung the moon. And you haven’t even kissed him?”

I glare at her, though it’s hard to muster much heat when my face feels like it’s about to catch fire. “It’s not like that.”

“Oh, it’s exactly like that,” Peaches says, waving a hand as if to dismiss my weak argument. “You’re telling me, after all that, he didn’t even try?”

I bite my lip, the memory of Colt leaning in so close the other night flashing in my mind. The way his voice dipped, the heat of his gaze, how I thought—just for a second—that he might actually do it.

“He told me he wanted to,” I say, my voice a whisper–as if my mom will hear. “But my mom was looking out the window so he stopped.”

Peaches stares at me for a moment, then bursts out laughing. “Oh my God, Maggie, that’s—” She gasps for breath, clutching her sides. “That’s so tragic. He probably thought he was about to get murdered by Sarita Jones.”

I roll my eyes, though I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. “It’s not funny.”

“It’s a little funny,” she says, still giggling. “But seriously, Maggie. You’ve got to fix this. You can’t just let an almost-kiss hang in the air forever. It’s unbearable.”

“And what exactly am I supposed to do about it?” I ask, arching a brow at her.

Peaches tilts her head, her grin turning mischievous again. “I already told you. Go with him to the observatory. You’ll be alone, no nosy moms around to ruin the moment.”

I snort, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m right,” she counters. “You like him. He likes you. And the observatory? It’s practically begging for some romantic tension.”

I don’t respond, but the idea lodges itself in my mind, impossible to ignore. Peaches notices the shift.

“Just think about it, okay?” she says gently. “You deserve to have something good, Maggie. Don’t let it slip away because you’re scared.”

* * *

Peaches’words linger in my mind long after we leave the springs. They stick to me like the droplets of water clinging to my skin, impossible to shake off. By the time I’ve dried off and changed into fresh clothes, the weight of her advice has settled deep into my chest, making it hard to think about anything else.

You deserve to have something good.

Her voice echoes in my mind as I finger comb my damp curls and pull them over one shoulder, droplets of water trickling down my neck and chest. I tell myself that this isn’t about Colt, not really. It’s about the kids, about the projector, about taking a rare opportunity to do something meaningful.

---