Page 24 of The Summer I Stayed
After Maverick has been put in time-out, aka Jake took him home, we all wander through the different booths. Lila probably wishes she brought her husband with her instead of being the fifth wheel since Caroline and Tom arechatting away. Not that she minds; she’s a carefree type of girl. I’ve introduced them to my Blue Alder Cove friends, and it’s been a wonderful day.
As the sun begins to set, the lakeside becomes a dazzling array of lights. Fairy lights twinkle in the trees overhead, their warm glow reflecting off the water. A local band serenades the crowd as couples sway on a makeshift dance floor near the lake.
Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I turn around to find Jake.
“Dance with me?” Jake asks, his voice softer than I’ve heard before.
I’m surprised by his request, but I nod. He takes my hand, leading us toward the dance floor. His hand rests at my waist while I place my hand on his shoulder, our free hands interlocked. We move in rhythm with one another, his lead confident yet gentle.
“So, Hollis, I didn’t peg you as the dancing type,” I say, trying to lighten the mood and not focus on the warmth radiating from his touch.
“Neither did I,” he admits with a light chuckle, his gaze never leaving mine. “But it seems there’s a lot of things I wouldn’t do until you showed up.”
The thumping in my chest grows faster. “Like what?” I prompt, hoping to keep him talking. The more he revealsabout himself, the more my heart seems to open up to this man.
“Well,” he starts, leading us in a gentle twirl that has me squealing on the inside. “That photo backdrop…Gemma asked me to do it already, and I told her no. But when you asked me, I couldn’t turn you down.”
“Oh?” I play it cool, even though my pulse is jumping. “Anyone else you’d do it for?”
He shrugs, his eyes darkening slightly. “No, just you.”
A warm blush floods my cheeks as his words linger. My heart pounds in my chest harder, which I didn’t think was possible, at his admission.
His hand tightens around my waist as he pulls me closer. His eyes search mine. “Come with me.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jake
Not here. Not surrounded by everyone.
I tug her away, leading us around a corner of the diner. It’s secluded enough that we’re alone, yet close enough that we can still hear the faint echo of the festival chatter and music. Her back against the wall with the setting sun glowing on her skin.
“Maggie, I—” I pause, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m not good at this. At letting people in. Or expressing myself.” I glance at her, nerves swirling within me. “But you…you make me want to try.”
She looks up at me, her eyes shining in the soft glow of the lights. “Jake…”
I bring my hands up to cradle each side of her face. “Whether you leave or stay, Maggie,” I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, “I want you. And that scares me, but it’s also the most alive I’ve felt in a long time.”
The heavy weight lifts from my shoulders as I confess my feelings for her. But a pit in my stomach remains as I await her answer. She stands still for a moment before a smile breaks out on her face.
“I’m staying, Jake,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m staying for good.”
Joy spreads like wildfire through me. She’s staying.
“And I,” she places her hands on my waist and pulls me closer, “want you, too.”
That’s all I needed to hear, all I wanted to hear. Without another word, I lean in and press my lips against hers. This kiss is everything I had imagined and more—gentle yet passionate, filled with all the emotions we’ve been holding back.
Her hands tighten around my waist, pulling me closer as if she’s afraid I’ll disappear. As if she’s just as afraid and hopeful as I am.
We pull apart breathlessly, our foreheads gently touching as we catch our breaths. The feeling of her warm breath fanning against my lips sends a shiver down my spine. Her eyes flutter open, and I’m met with a gaze full of love and warmth.
“Wow,” I say when we part, and a giggle slips past her lips. Her emerald eyes sparkle with delight as she looks up at me. Oh, how I’vefallen for this woman.
“Jake Hollis,” she says softly, her fingers lightly tracing a pattern on my arm. “I think this is the beginning of something wonderful.”
With a smile, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer into an embrace. Yes, it is indeed the start of something wonderful.
