Page 122 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

Her eyes search mine, and she must see the truth in them, or fuck—I don’t know, maybe she’s just tired of fighting me. Either way, she blows out a shaky breath and relents.

“Marissa didn’t take the breakup well. She started sending me messages, and I swear to God, Goldi, I fucking shut them down every time. I blocked her number. I didn’t know she would be here. Anna invited her when we were still together, but I never thought in a million years…” I hang my head, grabbing my hair.

“But you kissed her,” Goldi bites.

I lift her chin with my fingertips. “She kissed me.”

Goldi shakes her head. “No—”

“Yes. Think about what you saw. Really think about it, baby. Did you see me kiss her back? Did you see me encourage her in any way? I was out there waiting for that Mason guy. I didn’t even know she was here. I promise you, Goldi.”

Her eyes are locked on me as she chews that beautiful bottom lip. My thumb reaches out, tugging it from between her teeth. “You have to trust me. This won’t work without it.”

“So now you don’t want us to work?” she accuses, again turning her head and trying to rip from my grasp.

I bring her face back. “I want us to work more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. More than Sam’s company. More than my mom’s love. More than finding Lily.”

She gasps.

“I fucking love you, Goldi. Don’t you know that? I love you. I’m in love with you. I have been since I was thirteen-years-old. And I want to spend every day for the rest of my life showing you just how much. I want to make up for all the days we’ve lost. But if you don’t trust me… if you can’t move past our history, we’ll both end up miserable. I don’t want that for you. Or for me.”

The air is muted behind the sound of my heart beating in my ears. I wait for her to say something. Anything.

She searches my eyes, sucking that lip between her teeth again and exhaling. “I love you, too.”

Relief surges through every cell in my body. Thank fucking God.

I lean in and kiss her, not giving her a chance to take back her words.

“Say it again,” I mumble into her mouth, my hands cupping her cheeks.

“I love you.” She smiles against my lips.

A door bangs open, and I groan.

“Oh, shit. My bad. I didn’t mean to… Lee? Is that you?”

We both turn toward the voice and my body stiffens as I see the guy from earlier today. What was his name?

“Logan, hi.” Goldi pushes against my chest, forcing me back a step as she straightens her dress.

Logan. That’s right. I look between them. He knows Goldi, too?

“So this is him, huh? Chase Adams? I never woulda guessed,” he chuckles, shaking his head slightly.

I look between them. Goldi’s cheeks are flushed a beautiful shade of pink, and I don’t know if it’s from me or from Logan—who all of a sudden I can’t fucking stand.

“Yep. He’s the one.” She beams at me, gripping my hand in hers. My chest swells with her attention.

Logan rubs the back of his neck. “Ah, hell. I’m sorry, man. If I had known I was talkin’ about your girl earlier today, I never would have brought it up.”

Talking about my… My eyebrows lift as his words hit me. “Goldi was your ‘piece?’”

He raises his hands in front of him, his face apologetic. “She ended things though, so don’t worry. She’s all yours.”

I laugh. Is this motherfucker serious? Of course, she’s mine. She’s always been mine. I take a step forward, a smile on my face as I imagine all the ways I’ll make him

realize his mistake. Goldi’s hand tugs me back.

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