Page 39 of A First Sight

“Will you sit with me for a while?” She still wasn’t looking at me.

“Of course. We could watch a movie. Can I get you something to drink while you select something? A glass of wine or some hot chocolate?” I felt like an idiot the moment the words came out of my mouth, but that couldn’t keep me from spewing out another question. “Something that might help you relax?”

“You keep hot cocoa on hand?” Her surprise overcame her embarrassment, and she looked up at me. “I would’ve thought you were more of a Scotch man.”

I chuckled. “Well, yes, I am, but I also like the occasional non-alcoholic comfort drink.”

“If you’re getting something for yourself, I’ll take the same.”

I wanted to press her to tell me whatshewanted and not what would be easiest for me. I noticed how her eyes had lit up when I mentioned hot chocolate, the longing when she teased me. Even though I wasn’t craving it, I made us a cup each.

To my amusement, she had selectedPretty Womanby the time I returned and settled in the center of the couch.

“I would never have picked you as a nineties rom-com fan.?” I commented, letting a teasing note creep into my voice as I handed her the mug. “Something to lull you to sleep?”

“Who doesn’t love a romantic fairytale with a hooker?” She smiled and shifted in such a way that made it clear she wanted me to sit next to her.

I was happy to oblige.

“It doesn’t hurt that it also stars Richard Gere,” she continued with a laugh.

“And the fabulous Julia Roberts,” I said before taking a sip of chocolate.

I hardly even registered the movie. Instead, I watched Maggie engrossed in it. I wanted to know everything about Maggie.

I hadn’t turned on any extra lights, letting her set everything the way she was most comfortable. She left everything off except a single lamp I usually left on overnight. That and the television were the only sources of light in the room. She was in the shadows, but I still wanted to look at her, to study the minute differences I had noticed throughout the day.

Little flecks of different colors in her eyes.

Streaks of lighter gold in her hair.

Her nose was slightly longer.

Jawline, a touch more delicate.

The more I looked, the less I saw Belle. And the less I expected seeing Belle. I couldn’t pinpoint a specific time when things shifted for me, but they had. Earlier, when I told Maggie about the accident, I felt the usual sadness at my loss, but there was something else there, too. A lightness that came from sharing.

And a reminder of a dream I had where Belle seemed to tell me it was okay to like Maggie for Maggie.

It was okay to let go.

Suddenly, every thought in my head flew away as Maggie leaned against me. It took everything in me to stay relaxed and put my arm around her, letting her find a comfortable position before I settled. She pulled down the blanket I usually had on the back of my couch and wrapped it around her so that when my hand came to rest on her side, she almost looked like she was swaddled and tucked in for the night.

“I’m glad I kissed you.”

She spoke so softly I almost didn’t hear her. When I looked down, her eyes were closed. I didn’t know if she was drifting off or was opening up to me, but I didn’t want to do anything to make her stop talking.

“I wanted to kiss you that day in the deli when you paid for my lunch. It was the sweetest thing anyone had done for me in a long time.”

The last words came out in a murmur and ended in a sigh. I felt Maggie’s body relax, and she was falling asleep. I was glad, grateful she felt safe enough with me, but I didn’t think I’d do much more than stare at the ceiling the rest of the night.

My head was too full of Maggie McCrae.

THIRTY-TWO

MAGGIE

I didn’t setthe alarm, but I woke up in the guest room bed around six-thirty and figured I might as well get started on things I needed to do today.

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