“That sounds amazing. I love you so much.” She stood on her tiptoes and pulled herself up to him, moving her lips against his slowly, gently, deeply.
Chase felt himself growing stronger with each touch. It was like she was infusing him with boldness, which she had done from the first time he set eyes on her in this bar. He forced himself to pull back. “So… since trying new things is kind of our thing…”
She peered up at him and when he hesitated, she asked, “What are you thinking Chase Smith?”
“It’s pretty crazy…”
“I could get on board with crazy…”
Chase stopped dancing so that he could gauge her honest reaction. “Do you want to hit all fifty states on our Break the Cycle tour?”
Maggie glanced down at her finger and appeared to be studying the shiny green jewel. Her mouth slowly unveiled a sparkling smile. “Aw, you used my fundraiser name idea. Going to all fifty states might take a long time…”
“Is it too much? I was just thinking that there’s so many places I’ve never been and I’d love to experience it with you.”
Maggie nodded, “I’m game, as long as you do something for me.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“Keep writing songs. You’re amazing at it. I even have an idea for what your next album could be called.”
Chase smirked as he held out his arm and gave her a spin, “I’m listening…”
Maggie looked up at him as he pulled her close, “What about calling it, ‘Just a Thing We Do?’”
He tilted his head to the side and thought for a moment before saying, “I like it… how’d you come up with that?”
“Trying new things with you was fun and exciting, but I think I enjoyed the simple things we did together even more—like going to breakfast and drinking sweet tea on the porch. When you have things you do with someone, you have rhythms in your life. I’ve come to appreciate that. I don’t want a boring, predictable life, but I want to feel grounded. When we’re together, I’m at ease. I feel peace. I feel like I can just enjoy each moment.”
“Just a Thing We Do,” Chase repeated softly. “It’s perfect for a country album.”
Maggie smiled and then nuzzled against him. Chase kissed the top of her head. He was afraid that if he lifted his feet off the ground, he might float away. Looking up at the ceiling, he imagined the clear, Alabama country sky.Lord, I can’t believe I almost let her get away. Thank you for working out all the details. You came through again.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
“Areyousureyou’reready for this?” Maggie eyed Chase skeptically as they stood outside her mom’s house for their first Thanksgiving as a couple. “We haven’t had a holiday together since their divorce almost ten years ago. Stuff could hit the fan.”
Chase shivered as he held her shoulders. “You’ve seen my family, right? We’re a mess. I can handle it.”
“I trust you, but also, I know you’ll say anything to get inside where it’s warm.” Maggie grinned. Chase had never been to Minnesota before, and the frigid temps were a shock.
“Uh-huh. And, I love you, but mostly, I’m freezing.”
Maggie blew out a breath.It will probably be an absolute dumpster fire, but here goes nothing.Shooting Chase a brave smile, she knocked on the door. Other than FaceTime, Maggie hadn’t seen her mom since she left for LA in January. Her dad and sister had flown out to watch one of their shows in Florida over the summer, but apparently her mom had major FOMO—or as she called it “commitments to the community.” Maggie knew that actually meant she was afraid to be absent for too lest another queen bee slide in and steal her social status.
The door swung open, and Deborah Eckland greeted them in what Maggie could only describe as a shiny silver flapper dress—tassels and all.
“Maggie!” She beamed with over the top enthusiasm. “Oh how I’ve missed you. Come in, come in.”
After stepping inside, Deborah turned her attention to Chase. “And here’s Maggie’s new, handsome fiancé. We are just delighted to have you join our family, Chase.” She moved in to give him a hug.
Although her mom had been “devastated” to hear that they had gotten engaged without her knowing and chastised Maggie about marrying a musician, here she was now turning on the charm. Of course her mom would want Chase to like her. She apparently needed to be liked more than she needed to be right.
“We were all just sitting down at the dinner table,” her mom stated.
Maggie and Chase set their coats down on the back of the living room couch and followed Deborah into the dining room.
