Page 50 of Written with Love

Max chuckled, brushing a smudge of gray from her cheek. “I don’t think we’ll have to worry about convincing anyone we’re together now.”

She laughed, resting her forehead against his. “No. I think we just painted the perfect picture.”

He chuckled.

“This is looking good,” she commented, stepping back to admire their work.

“So are you.” Max grinned, eyes dropping to the splatters of paint on her arms and cheek.

Her breath caught at the heat of him so close, his hands firm and steady on her waist. She glanced up at him, catching the flicker of something deeper in his gaze.

“I’ve never told anyone this before,” he said, using his fingertips to brush a droplet of paint from her cheek, “and I know you’re the last person I’ll say it to.” He brushed his lips across hers. “No better time than to admit”—he leaned back and met her eyes—“I’ve fallen in love with you.”

Her heart did a flip. Not one of those little bumps you get when you ride a carnival ride but a full on twist-in-her-chest kind. The kind that left her breathless and light-headed.

She’d never felt like this before. Never.

“I love you too.” She practically whispered it.

His smile caused her heart to fall into its normal pattern again and, suddenly, he was picking her up and spinning her around in the small bathroom.

“This has quickly become my favorite room in the house,” he joked as she laughed.

Juliette clung to Max, laughing as he spun her around in the tiny bathroom, their bodies still speckled with blue and gray paint. The confession of love had left her dizzy in the best way possible. She had never imagined feeling so light, so free—so completely and utterly his.

When he finally set her down, he cupped her face, his thumbs brushing along her jaw. “We should probably clean up before we ruin any more of the house with paint.”

She glanced at the handprint he’d accidentally left on the doorframe. “Too late.” She grabbed the camera and turned it off. “We should edit and post this today,” she said, her voice laced with excitement.

“After a shower.” He took the camera from her and set it down.

“Shower,” she agreed, her stomach flipping again at the heated look in his eyes.

They took turns washing off the paint, laughter filling the bathroom as they scrubbed stubborn streaks from their skin.

When their laughter died away, replaced with moans of delight, she fell even further in love with him as he showed her how gentle he could be with her and how much he meant those words he’d confessed.

Her knees shook after, and she sat on the bench in the shower. Max got out and wrapped a towel around his waist before tossing another at her. “Take your time finishing up. I’ll go make us some sandwiches.”

She did a happy dance internally when he left the room, then finished rinsing off. Stepping out of the shower, she combed her hair and braided it before putting on a fresh pair of shorts and a tank top.

She met him out on the deck. He had already laid sandwiches, chips, and two glasses of iced tea on the outdoor table, the ocean breeze cooling the midday warmth.

“This,” she sighed, sinking into her chair, “is perfect.”

Max reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together as he took a bite of his sandwich. “Only because you’re here.”

“I figured we could edit this while we eat. Then we can post it.” She set up her laptop and inserted the camera’s drive.

As they ate, Max peered over her shoulder, watching as she edited a short clip of them painting—complete with the playful brush battle and the moment they admitted their love for each other. The ending was just them, foreheads pressed together, covered in paint but completely wrapped up in one another.

“You sure?” he asked, his fingers tracing lazy circles on her back.

She met his gaze. “As long as you are.” When he nodded, she finished. “Gabriella wanted to control the narrative. Let’s take that away from her.”

With a deep breath, she hit post. Within minutes, notifications flooded in, the video spreading like wildfire. Fans commented in real time, swooning over their chemistry, congratulating them, and—thankfully—drowning out any mention of Gabriella’s ridiculous press conference.

Max grinned as he set his phone down. “You’re brilliant, you know that?”