Page 14 of Rumor Has It

“Are you gonna wait on me?” I ask, jogging up next to her.

“Oh, I have been.” Her eyes cut to me. “Seems like for a lifetime.”

My chest clenches because her words take me by surprise. “I’ll always be right here, Kenzie.”

“Prove it!” She takes off running, meeting the waves as they crash into the shore.

The sunset at her back dulls next to her smile. Strands of her hair blow and twist in the wind, glistening like rays of sun. She kicks water at me, laughing, and everything in me tingles. Her teeth sink into her full bottom lip, and I’m dead.

My heart only beats for her. Mackenzie is life, my life, and the only one I ever want to know. She’s the reason I’ve been planning for the future, making sure we have everything our hearts could desire.

Taking over my father’s entertainment law business isn’t just for him or me, it’s about family and Mackenzie plays a major role in it. Everything we’ve planned, down to her going to mechanics school has been decided.

We’ve talked about every move, visits, and even after graduation. Dad has a small place in Burbank, and commutes. He’s there four days, home three, twice a month. Sometime, he only fly’s out once.

Mackenzie is the only reason I decided on UCLA, I would’ve never left her had she not promised me, she’d be here when I got home. We’ve even synced our calendars so we could visit each other.

From the minute her mom passed away, I’ve stuck by her side. I’ve given her time, patience, and a boat load of understanding, in hopes she’ll open her heart and let me in one day. I want to tell her how much she means to me, that I’ve been in love with her from the moment I laid my eyes on her and those pigtails.

Looking at her, here and now, I know they’ll never be another person I’ll love more than her. No matter how long it takes, I’ll wait for her to know without a doubt, I’ll never leave her. It’s her one fear, that she’ll be left alone.

“That’s my plan, Mackenzie Grace.”

She reaches for me when a wave pushes her around. I take her hand, pulling her to me and holding her up. Our eyes lock, and I see a myriad of emotions swimming in hers. Her lips part, and all I can think of is pressing mine to them.

“Don’t let go,” she murmurs.

I caress her cheek, wiping away a droplet of water mirroring a tear. “Never.”