Page 19

She set her mug aside and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. And when he hugged her back, Alesha held on tight.

For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to imagine what it might feel like to build a life here again.

Alesha was quiet later that night.

Martin had invited Reece to stay for dinner, and it had seemed like a nice, low-key way to spend the evening. But as the night went on, Reece could tell she had a lot on her mind.

It wasn’t until her father had gone to bed and they were alone that she told him about the conversation they’d had earlier that day. Some of it he already knew—she had shared her version of events on their first date—but hearing the rest of the story made his heart ache for her.

They were curled up on the couch watching television when he pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head.

“And yet you still came to spend the holidays with him,” he said softly. “That says a lot about the kind of person you are.”

Alesha shook her head. “Not really. Part of it was because my mom decided to go on an extended holiday cruise with her friends. I didn’t want to spend Christmas alone, and it had been a while since Dad and I spent one together.” She paused. “But if I’m being honest…it was really about coming back to Harbortown.”

Reece chuckled. “Seriously?”

“Yup. I’ve always wanted to come back. This was the only place we ever lived that felt like…home.” She pulled back slightly so she could look up at him. “I had the best friends here.”

He smiled and nodded. “You were definitely missed when you left. For a long time.”

Her smile returned slowly. “How did I get so lucky?”

“Lucky? A minute ago, you didn’t sound like you felt that way,” he teased.

“I know. But sitting here with you makes me realize how lucky I actually am. I had no idea what to expect when I came here. I figured I’d help my dad at the bookstore, maybe wander around town with him…just try to keep busy.” She nudged him gently. “Then you showed up and saved me. Kind of like when we were kids.”

Reece burst out laughing. “Oh my God. You actually remember that?”

“Of course I do!” she said, laughing too. “Those bullies took my snack, and you marched over there, shoved them out of the way, and yelled at them. Then you shared your snack with me.” Her smile widened. “You were my hero.”

His heart swelled at the memory. He might have only been six at the time, but he’d never forgotten it. Seeing Alesha crying while two older kids picked on her had been enough to make him step in. And somehow, in the middle of it all, he’d found a best friend.

When she moved away a few years later, it had felt like his entire world ended. At nine, you eventually move on but he had never really forgotten her.

“I liked being your hero,” he said quietly.

The mood shifted instantly.

Gone was the heaviness from earlier in the evening. In its place was the familiar heat that had simmered between them since she came back into his life.

He drew her closer and cupped her face in his hands. “I still want to be your hero.” His thumbs brushed her cheeks, and he watched as her eyes slowly drifted closed.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

He didn’t hesitate.

He’d been waiting for her to tell him what she wanted. If all she needed tonight was someone to listen or hold her, he would have done that without question. But as he lowered his head to hers, he was grateful she wanted this too.

Her arms slid around his shoulders as his lips met hers. She sighed softly as she shifted, settling comfortably across his lap.

Reece let his hands slide from her face to her waist, holding her there as he kissed her slowly. He took his time, savoring the softness of her lips and the quiet sounds she made against him—sounds he was already becoming dangerously addicted to.

After a moment, she deepened the kiss, then pulled back, breathing a little unevenly.

“I know I sound like a broken record,” she said softly, “but…thank you.”

“For what?”