Reckless Hearts (Oak Harbor #2)(69)
“Look at all of this.” Mom gazes around. “We’re so proud of you, sweetie. We can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.”
Dad comes over. “Congratulations,” he says gruffly, kissing me on the cheek. “And is that your handiwork I see, William?” He points to the gorgeous, polished oak desk we’ve pushed to one side, and the illegally comfortable vintage leather chair.
“Aren’t they beautiful?” I ask, squeezing Will’s hand. “I’m lucky he could find the time. His pieces are flying out of the store. Declan’s calling 24/7, begging him to work faster. There’s already a waiting list for his next work.”
Will looks uncomfortable. Even after a write-up in Southern Living about his “rustic, Southern gentleman style,” he’s still way too deprecating about his work. “I thought tonight was about singing your praises,” he says, changing the subject, and I grin.
“Tonight, and every other night.”
My parents laugh. “You’re learning fast,” my mom tells him wryly. “We’ll see you for dinner on Friday?”
“Can’t wait,” Will replies.
“And I’ll see you on the creek,” my dad adds to me. I nod, and give him a small smile. I know our relationship isn’t going to be fixed overnight, but it won’t mend on its own, either. If I can see a way to bring some forgiveness into my life, then I’m hoping, in time, I might be able to move on with my father, too.
“We’ll let you get back to the party,” Mom says, kissing my cheek. “You enjoy tonight. You’ve earned it.”
I spend the rest of the night enjoying the music and friendship and everyone’s best wishes. Half the town shows up, and it turns into a real party, taking up half the block, echoing laughter out across the dark harbor and into the moonlit night. It’s midnight by the time Finn cracks open another crate of champagne, and the call goes up for a toast.
I climb up on the front steps and gesture giddily for quiet, but the music keeps playing until Sawyer puts two fingers in his mouth and whistles. Everyone falls silent.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to stop the party for long,” I say loudly. “I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone. All the people who helped put this together . . . all my friends . . . and you, for showing up to eat all this amazing food!”
There’s laughter.
“But seriously, this means the world to me, to be able to share this new chapter with you all.” I can feel myself tearing up with emotion, looking out at the community I love so much. “I tell everyone I meet that this town is the best place in the world, and it’s all because of the way we show up for each other and lend a hand. So, this is a thank you, for supporting me in this next big adventure.”
My eyes find Will in the crowd, and my heart swells, seeing him look so proud, and knowing he’ll be by my side. “Thank you for believing in me and being patient while I figured it all out. I love you, I can’t wait for everything to come.”
There’s applause and cheering, but I only have eyes for Will. I go to him through the crowd, and kiss him right there in front of everyone, losing myself in the touch of the man I love as the applause fades away around us, and the stars blaze brightly in the sky.
THE END
Not ready to leave town just yet? Keep reading for the first chapter of HEARTBREAKER – an Oak Harbor love story, where happily-ever-after is guaranteed.
HEARTBREAKER
The new stand-alone HEA from New York Times bestselling author, Melody Grace.
They say that time heals a broken heart, but you try moving on when your ex is the most famous man on the planet.
Every time I walk down the street, there's a billboard plastered with his gorgeous face: Finn McKay. Now he’s a drop-dead sexy rock star, but when I first knew him, he was just the boy from the wrong side of the tracks - and the first guy I ever loved. He broke my heart into a hundred pieces when he skipped town without saying goodbye – but now he’s back.
And he wants me.
I’m determined not to make the same mistakes twice, but the chemistry with Finn was always way too hot to ignore. He was the guy who had me sneaking out my bedroom window for just one more kiss, and breaking curfew parked by the riverbanks, steaming up his windows in the backseat of his car. The past five years have been good to him, real good, and between his dirty mind and that ‘I know how to make you scream’ smile, he’s breaking through my defenses all over again.
Maybe one last wild fling for old time’s sake is what I need to finally move on. But what happens when Finn wants more than my body?
This time he wants everything.
HEARTBREAKER is available now! Read on for the exclusive first chapter…
The new stand-alone romance from Melody Grace. Heartbreaker is available now!
HEARTBREAKER
One.
They say time heals a broken heart, but you just try and get over the love of your life when he’s the most famous man on the planet.
At least, that’s what it feels like when I turn on the car radio. Nothing is playing except his latest hit song.
“Bringing you back for your afternoon on 107 Hits, it’s the track everyone’s talking about, Finn McKay—”