Page 87 of Reckless Hearts

From the life I promised I’d go back to.

Without looking, I flip it face down.

They’ve followed up a few times now calls, emails, increasingly eager messages with phrases likefinal offerandlooking forward to having you on board.It’s all perfectly polite. Enthusiastic, even. The kind of attention someone would kill for.

It’s everything I worked toward. Everything I fought for.

And I’m still going.

That hasn’t changed.

But I’m not ready to face it. Not today. Not while the sun’s still warm on my skin and Colt’s laugh is cutting across the parking lot. Not while I can still feel Maverick’s voice in my ear, low and possessive.

I’ll answer them eventually. I’ll pack my bags. I’ll get on that plane and return to the version of me I had to become after everything fell apart.

Just… not yet.

Because this little pocket of time, this quiet, goldenbefore, is all I have left. And I’m not ready to break the spell just yet.

There’s a sharp ache in my chest, like my heart’s clenched in a fist and twisted tight. Every part of me is screaming not togo. Screaming thatthis,theyare where I belong. That no matter where I live, no matter what title is under my name, this is the only place that’s ever truly felt like home.

I don’t look away from them.

I just watch.

I memorize the curve of Colt’s jaw as he laughs at something Maverick says. The way Maverick’s eyes squint against the sun. The ease in their bodies. The peace between them that finally feels almost healed.

It’s hard to breathe knowing I only have a little time left before I walk away.

Colt’s shoulder bumps Maverick’s in a playful, easy way. They’re joking while they work, and for a second, it’s like I’ve been thrown into a time machine. All they need is dirt on their faces, and they’d look exactly like they did as kids.

Maverick’s laugh booms out, splitting the air, and something torn inside me stitches itself back together. My heart aches, but at least,at leastthey’ll have each other.

Luke appears beside me, settling on the table and handing me a cold soda. Condensation beads along the can, and the ice-cold metal feels like heaven in my hand. I take a sip, and it soothes the tightness in my throat.

I tip the can toward him with a quiet smile. “Thanks. I needed this.”

“Thankyou,” he says, nodding toward where the boys are still working, smiling, laughing, shoulders looser than I’ve seen in days. “I think this is the happiest I’ve ever seen them. Hell, I didn’t even know Maverick could laugh like that.”

“I can’t take the credit,” I say, watching them. “This is how they always should’ve been. I just gave them a little nudge.”

Luke raises a brow. “I’m not sure about all that. These two wouldn’t have come back together if you hadn’t shown up.”

I smirk. “All right. Maybe I’ll takesomeof the credit.”

His tone shifts, quiet and serious. “They’re both in love with you. You know that, right?”

My chest tightens, like someone just handed me wings and broke my ribs in the same breath. I don’t know if I want to fly or fall apart.

Luke studies me, really studies me like he’s trying to read the pieces I haven’t laid bare.

“You don’t look as happy as I thought you’d be,” he says gently.

I let out a breath of a laugh. “Easy to read, am I?”

“Easy? No. But I can tell you’ve got some secrets.” He leans back, palms pressed behind him for support. “I’ve been told I’m a good listener. If you want to talk.”

It’s tempting. If I wasn’t sure I’d fall apart right here and now, I might take him up on it.

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