Page 48 of The Corner of Heartbreak and Forever
Morgyn and Sable sat on the blanket. Sable reached for what was left of Grace’s milkshake and said, “Awesome date night. Good thing you two weren’t naked. Practically the whole senior class from Oak Falls is behind you.”
“I saw Chet, Boyd, and Janie on the hill,” Morgyn added. “And Mom texted, asking if I knew about someone holding movie night at the Majestic.”
“That’s it, Reed! Movie night at the Majestic! You have to do that!” Grace pleaded. “Think of it. Old-fashioned popcorn machines, soda fountains. You could show movies for families, romantic comedies for date nights…”
“Whoa, what do you meanhecould?” Brindle asked.
“Reed’s buying this place,” Grace said, then immediately slapped a hand over her mouth. “Uh-oh. Was that a secret?”
“No, babe. It’s fine.” He explained that they’d just ratified the contract for the property and were set to close in a few weeks. “We’ve got a long road ahead of us to rehab the place, but the inside is gorgeous, and it has a lot of potential.”
“Hey, Reed,” Trace said. “If you’re buying this place, I know Jeb will want to put in a bid for the stonework.” Jeb was Trace’s oldest sibling, a talented artist who worked with stone, wood, and metals, creating custom furniture and refurbishing antiques.
“I wouldn’t want to bid or anything,” Morgyn said, “but I’d love to help with the interior. I’d be happy to help with curtains, upholstery, and whatever else you think I might be able to help with. I’d love to be part of this type of project in any way I can.”
“Thank you. That’s great,” Reed said. “I really appreciate the offers. And, Trace, I’ll be sure to connect with Jeb when we get that far.” He pulled Grace closer as the others made themselves comfortable to watch the movie.
“Thanks for helping Nat,” Brindle said. “She showed me the revisions, and I think the play will be perfect.”
“She’s really talented, and the sweetest girl,” Grace said. “You did such a good thing for her, Brin, and she raves about you. Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. I told her that when I’m back in New York I’ll mentor her via email.”
“I know,” Brindle said, snuggling closer to Trace. “She’s told everyone how excited she is. She’s here tonight.” She turned around and pointed to a group of girls by the streetlight. “She’s with Phoenix and Lauryn, or as I’ve started calling the three of them, yourfan club.”
“Oh, stop.” Grace shook her head.
They turned their attention back to the movie, but Reed was too swept up in Grace to pay attention to anything but the smile on her face as she put her arms around his neck and leaned closer, speaking loud enough only for him to hear.
“Sophie comes back next Saturday afternoon, and her baby shower is Sunday morning. Do you think we could try to do this with her and Brett? They’d love this. Brett is a huge theater fan. And maybe we can invite Roy and Ella? They’d probably love this, too. And if we don’t invite my family, they’ll probably show up anyway.” She sat back and said, “Actually, we’d probably end up with everyone here anyway.”
“Babe, we can do whatever you’d like.”
“I have to go back to New York the following weekend,” she said softly, the sadness in her voice inescapable.
“I know. We’ll make it happen before that. Maybe the weekend you leave as a going away-party, so everyone has a chance to say goodbye.”
“Okay.” She was quiet for a second, resting her head on his shoulder. And then she pressed a kiss beside his ear and said, “I have a feeling you’re going to hear this a lot from me, but I can’t believe you’rebuyingthe theater. You’ll forever own the property where we first…you know.”
“I do know, babe. And we’ll make a million more memories that are just as great. We’re making them right now.” He lifted his chin in the direction of her sisters and their friends, just as her parents, Amber, and Reno, came around the side of the building carrying big bags of popcorn.
Everyone got up to greet them at once.
Grace laced her hands with Reed’s, waiting her turn, and said to Reed, “I’m sorry our romantic night has turned into a party. This would never happen in the city.”
“Exactly,” her mother said. “This wouldneverhappen in the city.”
Chapter Sixteen
GRACE AWOKE TO the feel of Reed’s lips on her ribs. She ran her fingers through his thick hair as memories of their evening came back to her. They’d hung out with friends and family long after the movie had ended, and she’d seen several of the people she’d gone to school with. Her visits home had been so quick over the years, unless she saw her friends while she was out with her sisters, she rarely caught up with anyone. But last night Reed had seemed happy to let her stay and chat as long as she’d wanted. They’d gotten home at nearly two in the morning and had made love until they were both too spent to move.
Reed nipped at her belly, bringing her thoughts back to the man loving his way up her body. He moved over her, his chest hair tickling her skin as he perched on his elbows.
She smiled up at him. “I like waking up with you.”
“I like doing everything with you.”
He kissed her again, a long, sweet kiss that made her insides soft. He brushed his whiskers along her cheek, alternating between kissing and abrading. Grace thought back to when she’d first seen him riding a horse at the Jerichos’. She’d fought so hardnotto feel the emotions he’d stirred, and now, as his warm breath whispered over her skin, she couldn’t imaginenotfeeling this way ever again. Worry tiptoed in as he laced their hands together and gazed lovingly into her eyes.
“What’s going on in that beautiful brain of yours, Gracie?”
