Page 28 of Austen, Edited

His eyes searched hers a few seconds, and he opened his mouth, the corner of it raising in a smirk. “Just how beautiful and amazing you are.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she looked down, not wanting him to see the effect of his words on her.

He took his finger and hooked it under her chin, raising her face to him again. “You have to know that you’re worth looking at, right? And the person you are is the same person you are no matter what happens. I love your steadfastness in the things you believe, and I’m sorry it took me so long to recognize those things. I think I just took you for granted before now.”

He leaned in, and Abby closed her eyes, knowing if she watched him get any closer, she’d probably back away and freak out.

Just as she could feel his breath on her lips, someone called out his name.

“Greyson, we need you over here. You too, Abby. We’ve got an announcement to make.” It was Parker. At least, that’s who she thought it was through the brain fog she was experiencing.

She opened her eyes, her breath hitching as Greyson was only an inch or two away from her. It seemed his breathing had quickened, and he smiled before stepping back. Dropping his arms, he reached down for her hand.

“We should go see what they need.” His words were flat, laced with disappointment. Well, that’s what Abby was going to tell herself.

Trailing behind him a step, Abby reached up to her cheeks with her free hand, resting it on one of them for several seconds in the hopes that it would cool her down before facing anyone. Even the cool breeze did nothing to change the fact that Greyson had almost kissed her. When had his feelings changed for her? Or was he just caught up in the ambiance of the night?

She smiled as she thought of what a future with him would be like. There would be the regular obstacles of family, but as long as Greyson loved her, she could survive even Maria Campbell.

Abby had to shake her head, internally telling herself that just because he’d almost kissed her didn’t mean he was in love with her. There had been plenty of girls he’d kissed in high school that he hadn’t cared for after. She knew he wouldn’t dump her like that, but she needed to just enjoy the small moment and hope that the future continued to look bright.

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