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Mom touches his arm. “Leave them be, Jeff.”
Dad flicks to her. “Deanna, they—”
“We both know it’s because she’s your little girl.” She sniffs and pats his arm. “Come on. They’re eighteen and in love. You already separated them before, and it hurt them. Just let them be.”
He glances at me again, and his shoulders relax with a sharp breath. “Don’t elope or something crazy like that.”
I manage a soft smile. “We won’t, Dad.”
“Let’s look at Mother’s paintings,” Aunt Helena says. “In the loft. We get to go there now. No more restrictions.”
Dad shifts in place a bit, sighs, and pats my shoulder as he walks away.
Mom offers me a supportive smile and a gentle touch on my cheek before following them out of the living room.
I stroll across the yard towards the trees, finding Reid sitting in my favorite hiding spot behind the thick tree.
“Hey,” I mutter.
“Cassie.” He pushes to full height. “I had no idea Grandfather mentioned you in his will. None. This whole summer with you wasn’t some plot, Cass. Every moment was real. I fell in love with you completely. I hate that you think I was using you. I wasn’t. I’m not. You have my heart, Cassie. I’m a shell without you.”
I gasp in wonder. “It’s never just three simple words with you, huh.”
He shakes his head, a partial smile forming. “Like messages that only we can see,” he reminds softly. “Our love isn’t simple. It’s everything.” I shiver as he moves closer and cradles my face with both hands.
“That disclosure took me off guard. It made me question things. But…I know you love me. I’m sorry for accusing you.”
Reid kisses my forehead, stirring a sweet rush as he slowly moves down my face to my lips. “I’m in this forever, Cassie. I meant that.”
“I know. Me too.”
He sets my skin on fire with a hungry kiss that makes everything fade away, and all that’s left is us in this beautiful and passionate cocoon flooded with love.
