Page 102 of Stay for Forever

Ashlyn whistles and studies her feet.

“Ashlyn,” I growl.

“He swore me to secrecy.”

“I think it’s safe to say the secret is out.”

“The secret about you and Rickie being in love is definitely out. Juniper and Rickie sitting in a tree.”

I smack a hand over her mouth before she can continue with the stupid childish song. Besides, I want to hear Mav sing. I’ve heard him sing in the shower, but I had no idea he was interested in music. I’ve seen the guitars at his house, too, but I assumed they were collector items.

Someone dashes onto the screen and hands Mav a guitar. “This is for my June Bug,” he says as he strums the strings. “It’s called Stay For Forever.”

I’m fixated on the screen as Mav sings along with his acoustic guitar. He sings about falling in love with a stubborn woman, about making mistakes and almost losing her, about never wanting to let her go, and about wanting to build a family with her.

By the time the song finishes, I’m a puddle of melted goo on the floor. Here I was worried about Mav being away. I’m an idiot. It’s time to stop worrying and start living. And all my living will be done with Maverick in his house from here on out.

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