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“Not happening, Springsteen. It’s all mine.”
Her back hit the wall. He stopped in front of her, caging her with his hands on either side of her body. “You’re wild.”
She grinned at him. “I’m wild for you.”
“The feeling’s mutual. I’ve never sung karaoke for anybody before.”
Her heart did a little flip. He hadn’t meant it that way, but it felt special. Like he was pushing himself for her. Making her happy. Making her giggle.
Making her want him even more.
“I’ve never been sung to before.”
“Not even by your ex?”
She shook her head. “He hated karaoke.”
“I loved it,” he said deadpan, and she laughed.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “For humoring me.”
“It wasn’t humoring. It was…” He shook his head. “I’d do anything with you.”
Oh. There was her heart again. This time hammering against her ribcage like it wanted to run out and do a victory lap.
“Let’s stop hiding,” she whispered.
He blinked. “What?”
“When we go back. Let’s stop pretending this isn’t happening. We’re adults. We’re single. We can do what we want.”
“Grace…”
She ran her tongue along her bottom lip. “It’s okay. It was just a thought.”
“I want to. I do. But Mom… our family…”
“I know.” She nodded.
“I don’t want you to get hurt,” he told her. “And you will. You said yourself it was harder for women. You’ll be the one staying. I can’t leave you to deal with the aftermath.”
Then stay….
But she couldn’t say it. Not because she didn’t want it, but because she was desperate for him never to leave again. And because she knew he had to.
He lowered his head to hers. “Don’t look so sad.”
“I’m not sad,” she lied. “I’m just thinking.”
“What are you thinking about?”
She took a deep breath. “I’m thinking that I’m falling for you. And it’s too late to worry about getting hurt.”
“Oh, Grace.” He stroked her face. “Baby.”
She wouldn’t cry tonight. Not after the perfect day. Last night had been hard. She was going to make this one easier for them.
She wanted a day and a night she could look back on for the rest of her life and say that she’d experienced at least twenty-four hours of perfection.
