I turn and my eyes grow wide. Chance stands at the doorway to the lounge. An airport staff has his metal detector out, blocking him.
When our eyes connect, he shoves the man out of the way and hurries for me. I rise, unable to pull in a full breath. Numerous questions tumble in my head, but I’m unable to get even one out.
Chance rushes to stop before me. He cups my face, somber eyes taking me in.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper, but it’s almost a shout.
The place is suddenly quiet, everyone focused on us. Even the staff stands back, not interrupting.
“I couldn’t bear to let you leave without letting you know,” his voice is hoarse.
My heart flips in my chest. I fist his jacket to steady my shaking. “There’s nothing to say now.”
“No,” he breathes and cups my face, thumbing my cheeks. “I have to. I—” He gulps. “I’m sorry, Maddie. I wasn’t sincere with you. I should have been. I was just afraid.”
“Afraid?”
He nods. “I should have told you sooner. I should have told you I only started living when you came into my life. Nothing had meaning until I met you. That you make everything betterand brighter and I can’t let you go now. Not after I’ve seen what life can be with you in it.”
Gooseflesh breaks out on my arms. My breath gasps out of me. “Chance, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying I love you, Maddie. I love you with all my heart.” He tilts my face, looking into my eyes as if he’s seeing something he never has before. “I can’t let you leave. Not like this. I want you here with me.”
I sniff back the tears trying to escape my eyes. “You… I…” A sob breaks from my throat.
He hugs me briefly, letting me calm down. When he pulls back, his blue eyes glow with hope, with a plea. “What do you say, Maddie?”
“Do you want me back as your assistant?”
He frowns. “No, no. Of course not. You’re more than that to me. That was only an excuse to get close to you.”
“So…” I swallow a breath. “Who will I be to you then if I stay?”
His lips twitch. “Will you be my girlfriend? For real?”
Peace threads through my being, filling my limbs. “You mean that?”
“Every word, Maddie.” He runs a thumb down my chin. “Remain on Magic Island. Be my girlfriend.”
“Yes,” I say on a breath. There’s no other answer. This is all I’ve wanted—for Chance to be mine, and me, his. “I’ll stay.”
He exhales, his chest caving, then he yanks me against him. His mouth comes down on mine, deep and searching.
Applause rises around us, but I don’t pay it any mind. I’m kissing Chance for the first time, knowing that this is real. We are together.
And it feels good. It’s the best feeling ever.
I rise on my tiptoes and loop my arms around his neck, wanting more of him. He indulges me, sweeping his tongue into my mouth and mixing our tastes.
Our kiss is tainted with my salty tears, but more than that, there’s love and security.
A whoop goes up and brings me back to the present. We’re still standing in the airport lounge.
I pull away and Chance grins.
“Can we go now?” he asks.
I grin. “Of course.”
