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“You’ve done a good job with her.”

I let out a quiet breath. “I hope so.”

The walk back to my bungalow was quiet. The night air was warm, and the sound of the ocean drifted through the palm trees as we followed the illuminated path. Heather’s hand was tucked securely into mine.

We reached my bungalow, and I unlocked the door. Heather stepped inside ahead of me, pausing in the living room. For a moment, she looked around. I wondered if she was remembering the last time she’d been here.

The afternoon when everything had started to go wrong.

I closed the door behind us. “Hey.”

She turned. “What?”

“You okay?”

Her face softened. “Yeah.”

“You sure?”

She nodded.

I studied her face for a moment. “I meant what I said today, Heather. All of it.”

“I know.”

“And I’m going to keep proving it.”

Her eyes glistened. “Greyson…”

“I’m serious. I know I hurt you. And I know saying I’m sorry doesn’t magically fix that.”

She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around my waist. I pulled her against me, burying my face in her hair.

God, this felt good. I was so worried that I’d lost this.

“I love you, Starlight,” I murmured.

She went still for a fraction of a second. Then she tilted her head back.

“You know, I think I could get used to hearing that.”

I smiled. “Good. Because I plan on saying it a lot.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I love you too.”

I lowered my mouth to hers. The kiss started slow, gentle enough that I could feel her smile against my lips. But then she slid her hands up my chest and around my neck, pulling me closer.

And I was done for.

I kissed her harder, lifting her into my arms. Then I carried her into the bedroom and lowered her onto the mattress.

For a moment, I just looked at her.

Her hair was a little messy from dancing, and her dress had ridden up her thighs. She was beautiful.

But it wasn’t just that.

Heather made me want things I’d never wanted before.