She doesn’t answer with words. Instead, her lips curve and her eyes hood a bit as she nods eagerly. Our eyes stay locked on each other as I pull her out onto the dance floor that is set up in front of the bookstore and wrap her up in my arms. The airis cold, but Sadie also supplied a bunch of heaters, and I can’t help but think we aren’t making any money except for what I donated.
Though, there is a line for Old Man Harrison at the kissing booth.
Not that I care. I have everything I want in my arms.
And a promise in my pocket.
Maggie’s cold cheek meets mine, and her lavender smell has my heart swelling in my chest as we sway to the music with all the other couples. I catch a few waves and warm smiles from my patients, and I can’t help but return them. I never let myself believe this town would want me—that I could belong here. I was just a doctor who came to fix a fractured relationship with my sister. That was the plan.
But I was wrong.
I am loved. And while I’m grateful for the way this community has welcomed me, I’m even more grateful for the love waiting next door. My neighbor—once just my favorite author—has become my everything.
Start living again. Put yourself out there.
As if I summoned her with that thought, I find Tessa leaning against the gate of my clinic with her eyes full of tears. She gives me a watery smile, and my heart aches. She didn’t want to come because she isn’t dating anyone and she isn’t a fan of the holiday, but she came because she knew I needed her.
Well, I don’tneedher here. Iwanther here.
I want her to see I’m doing everything I said I would.
Is our relationship fixed? Not fully. But I will continue to suture and tend to the wound I created. I will be present. I will love her because I’m learning how to do that from the girl of my dreams.
I drag my lips along Maggie’s jaw, and she looks up at me, her lips in the little smirk I adore.
“I love you,” I tell her, and her smirk turns to a grin.
“It’s the ambiance, makes you a marshmallow. A pink one, with heart sprinkles.”
I continue to hold her gaze. “No, it’s you,” I say, cupping her cheek. Her eyes get that glassy look, and my heart goes wild in my chest. Like it wants to break free from my ribs.
Because it belongs to her.
“Reach in my pocket, pretty girl.”
Her brow arches. “Doctor? Here? In front of everyone?”
She waggles her brows, and I can’t help but chuckle softly. “Right here.”
Her eyes seem bluer, full of wonder, as her gaze locks on mine. She slips her hand into the pocket of my overalls. When her fingers close around the lock, she stills, her eyes widening as she pulls it free. The gold catches the light as she looks at it, then back at me, like she’s afraid to breathe.
“I never thought I’d say this to anyone but Tessa,” I tell her quietly. “But with you, the words leave my lips like a prayer.”
I take her hand, pressing the lock into her palm. “I want to be the only person you ever hang a lock with. I want to walk into Lock Night with your hand in mine, collect it together, rehang it every year, no matter what tradition says, and spend every day after telling you how much I love you.”
My voice breaks, but I don’t stop. “Because I do, Maggie. I love you. And I never want to stop saying it.”
“Promise?” she asks, a tear sliding down her round cheek.
I wipe it away and agree without hesitation. “Promise.”
“Good, because I love you too,” she says with a sob. “And if I’m hanging a lock for the first time, it’ll be the only time—and only with you.”
I lean in, our foreheads pressing together as I continue to catch her tears. She beams up at me, her eyes sparkling and leaving me breathless. I don’t know who moves first, but that’snormal for us. Everything is just so effortless. Her hand clasps mine, but instead of leading me to where everyone else is hanging their locks along the gates of Promise Pond, she leads me to the spot where the fences in front of our businesses share a pole. She holds out her free hand, and I hand her the key.
As she unlocks the lock, she asks, “When did you have time to get it engraved? You’ve been with me all day.”
I smile sheepishly, and I can feel people looking at us, but they don’t matter. Only this moment does. “I did it.”
