A rush of warmth gathers in my chest like a warm heart hug; something that happens quite often, thanks to Braxton. In fact, those heart hugs seem to have effectively patched up the hole. Layer upon layer, putting me at ease. Allowing me to be vulnerable despite the risk. Allowing me to love him, though I haven’t exactly uttered the words. But Idolove him, I realize.
Kirsten’s words of advice play through my mind—‘Once you have that first realization…tell him right then and there, no matter where you are.’
‘I will,’I had promised.
My gaze shifts to Braxton as my emotions swell. He holds my gaze, and suddenly a hint of concern sparks in his eye.
“You okay?” he asks. “Do you need anything?”
I shake my head, not sure why he’s asking until it hits me; he’s reading the emotion on my face. I grin at him. “These aregoodfeels,” I say.
He tips his head back and gives me a thumbs up. “Gotcha. Good. You’ve got this, babe!”
I think of the title of the song I’m about to play—Ready For It?It reminds me of the day I first met Braxton, and of everything we’ve been through since. Anticipation stirs deep within me.Yes,I realize, answering the question in my mind. I most definitely am.
“Actually,” I say, the urgency beginning to gnaw at me. “Come here.” I motion for Braxton to meet me at the front of the room.
He hops off his trampoline and hurries up to me.
“Yeah?”
We’re face to face now, and the love I feel for him multiplies as I form the words in my head.
“Braxton?”
He nods. “Yes?”
I wrap my arms around him and move my lips to his ear. “I love you.”
He pulls back to look in my eyes. “You said it,” he breathes, sounding shocked.
I laugh a little.
“She said what?” Collin asks.
“Maggie said she loves me, Pops.”
“We actually heard it through the headset mic,” Liam admits.
“I didn’t,” Collin grumbles.
“Ofcourseshe does,” Mandy says. “Who couldn’t love you?”
“I sometimes don’t,” Luke says.
“Dude,” Beau hollers. “Did you say it back?”
Braxton turns to face me. “It’s been a while, but I’ve been dying to say it again for a long time.”
“Then say it!” Paige hollers while bouncing excitedly on her tramp.
“Yeah,” Mandy says. “What are you waiting for?”
Braxton chuckles and takes my hands. “I love you, Maggie Modella, and it only grows stronger every day.”
And just like that, I’m getting another heart hug, so full and thorough I feel like I could cry with the joy it brings.
Braxton rushes in to kiss me, then mumbles against my lips, “I knew you were falling for me.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “Really, though, I think you just made me the happiest man alive.”
