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After they’d all introduced themselves, Trent said, “The resort is hosting a dance tonight with a great live band. Are you all going?”
Elise grabbed Cory’s shirt. “We should go!”
“Whatever you want.” He leaned down and kissed her again.
“Steph? Want to go?” Michael’s eyes were so full of hope that even Reese found herself hoping Stephanie would say yes.
Stephanie shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
The scene was so different from what she and Trent had been like when they were younger. She’d practically jumped up and down when he’d asked her out. Every. Single. Time.
Actually, she thought with a wide grin, she still did.
“It’s on the lower patio around eight,” Trent told the group before turning back to Reese and lowering his voice. “Do you want to listen to the music from our favorite overlook and have our own private dance?”
“I can’t think of anything more perfect.”
Besides us.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
TRENT HELD REESE’S hand as they made their way to what he’d always thought of as their spot, weaving through thick brush and trees and guided by the shimmering light of the moon slicing through the foliage.
“I always love how good it smells here, like pine trees and salty sea air,” Reese said as they neared the overlook where they’d first met and she loved to paint. Trent had set out a blanket, candles, and a basket of wine and cheese and crackers. Reese’s eyes widened with surprise as she stepped onto the blanket, looking radiant in her pretty blue dress, with a cardigan overtop and the moonlight at her back. Music played in the distance, providing a perfect hint of magic and romance.
“When did you do all of this?”
He bent to light the candles as he answered. “While you were working on the mural.” He rose and circled her waist with his arms, drawing her in close. “I wanted you all to myself tonight. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I would always rather be with you than with a crowd of people.”
As they sat on the blanket and Trent poured them each a glass of wine, he said, “Remember how we used to talk about buying this property and building a house?”
“I always thought it would be the most amazing place for kids to play.”
“A few years ago, when I was home for the holidays, I came here and spent hours admiring the view of the bay and the lighthouse. And all the while, I thought of you, Reese.”
“I’m surprised I didn’t bump into you, since I was always doing the same thing and thinking of you. But wait, didn’t a corporation buy this spot two years ago?”
“Yes,” he said with a smile. “Trent Rockwell Enterprises bought it.”
She turned with a huge smile and surprise in her beautiful eyes. “You bought it? But you couldn’t have known we’d get back together. We were both fighting our feelings so hard back then. No one could have known.”
“No, I couldn’t have. But it was so special to us that I couldn’t let it go, either. I guess even though I tried to bury my love for you in order to get through every day and move forward, deep down I always knew that loving you was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Which was why he had one more surprise for Reese, waiting in a black velvet bag he’d slipped into his pocket earlier, in the hopes that tonight would be the perfect night to finally give it to her.
* * *
REESE’S HEART FELT like it was going to burst from her chest, not just because he’d bought one of their favorite spots on earth, but because of what he’d just said, which resonated so strongly with her that she could have said the exact same thing.
“That’s exactly what I feel like. Like I never let you go. You’ve always been right here with me. Because loving you is the best thing that ever happened to me, too.” She pressed her lips to his, and it took all her focus to pull back from their sweet kiss and say, “I have a confession to make. The other day, after I bumped into you at Shelley’s Café the first time, I came here. It was like I was driven here, totally inspired, of course, because you have always been my very best muse, one that I can’t ever escape. And I saw you running down the beach toward the stairs.”
“That was the first time I’d run that route since I returned to the island,” Trent admitted. “I felt driven by you, too.”
Never in her life had she felt like destiny was at work as strongly as she felt it right then. It was even stronger than when they’d first met, strong enough to bring them back together after they’d both rebuilt their lives and lived a lifetime in ten years without each other.
