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“Megan…” he whispered, coming another step closer.
She glanced up, her heart hammering. “It’s a very bad idea.”
“Nothing worth trying out is going to sound smart.”
Megan snorted. “You’re not going to convince me to go along with this by agreeing with my sentiments.”
Daniel smiled.
“And stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you…”
“Like I wish I could kiss you again?”
She snapped her mouth shut.
He chuckled and closed the distance between them. His hand reached for hers, their fingers brushing against one another. Goosebumps trailed up and down her arms as he laced their hands together.
Staring down at their interlocking fingers, Megan could feel her heart already making the decision. She yearned to have the kind of connection he spoke of.
Against her better judgement, she nodded. “Okay. We can give it a trial run.”
His grin widened.
“On one condition.” She wasn’t sure if he’d go along with her request and if she were honest with herself, she’d admit that it wouldn’t be a deal breaker if he refused. “We need to prioritize helping each other accomplish our dreams. And mine is the bookstore. If you can’t accept that—”
“Deal.”
She choked on the words she was about to say. “What?”
“Deal,” he said it simply, raising both of his shoulders. “I want to see you succeed. I want to see you happy. Anything else?”
“No…” she stuttered. “I just thought…”
“What? That I would tell you that I have to be the most important thing in your life? This is new for both of us. I can’t expect you to make those kinds of changes right away. Eventually? Sure. But right now, what you need from me is different. And I’m happy to give it.”
Every word that came out of his mouth was like a dream. She’d never met anyone like Daniel. Her thoughts shifted to when they’d first met and how he’d been so angry with her arrival. To have him accept her request meant more to her than he probably realized.
She didn’t even try to hide the smile that spread across her face. “Then I guess that settles it.”
Daniel didn’t waste any time. He hooked his finger under her chin. His lips crushed over hers, demanding, searching, and taking every last bit of what she was willing to give. She clung to him, kissing him back with every fiber of her being. Every fear and thought that held her back was released like a bouquet of balloons filled with helium.
Right now, in this moment she wanted everything he promised—a future with someone who could understand her drive and dedication to her dreams.
How had she gotten so lucky?
* * *
“You were gone longer than expected.”
Megan clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a screech. She spun around and found Gabby sitting on the couch in the darkened living room after she’d slipped inside.
Daniel wasn’t going to be far behind. He’d given her a small head start and if she didn’t get rid of her cousin, then Gabby would find out. After that? The rest of the family would know. There would be no keeping it a secret—something else they’d agreed would be in their better interest.
“So? You gonna tell me where you went or what?” Gabby got to her feet and crossed her arms, though the smile on her face indicated she already had her assumptions.
