Page 38 of Small Town Sizzle

I swallow hard, trying to steady my racing heart. “You’re not the only one,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

He chuckles softly, the sound vibrating through me. “Good,” he murmurs. “Because I don’t think I can stop now.”

He kisses me again, slower this time, his lips moving against mine like he’s savoring every moment. I let myself forget everything else and just be here, with him, in this perfect, moonlit moment.

My heart is fluttering, and my entire body is screaming at me to stay in this moment forever. I wanted to bring him out here for a reason, and I need to stop this before we get carried away.

I pull back, breathless and giggling. His hands linger at my waist, warm and strong, as if reluctant to let me go. I reach down and lace my fingers through his, squeezing gently.

“There’s more for you to see,” I say, my voice hushed with excitement. “And I want to share it with you, but we have to stop kissing, or we’ll be here all night.”

“I see nothing wrong with that,” Garrett teases, his smirk lazy and irresistible.

I shake my head, laughing softly, and tug him with me. “Come on.”

We follow the narrow path, the ground soft beneath our feet. Tall trees arch over us, their branches swaying gently inthe night breeze. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth, wildflowers, and the lingering salt of the nearby marsh. The sound of frogs and crickets creates a soothing hum around us, their rhythmic songs blending with the occasional rustling of unseen creatures.

The path winds deeper into the woods, the canopy above breaking apart just enough to let the moonlight filter through in silver ribbons. And then, as we step past the last cluster of trees, the space opens up before us—a hidden sanctuary.

A small waterfall spills over a natural rock formation, its steady flow cascading into a crystal-clear pool below. The water glows under the moonlight, shimmering like liquid silver. Moss-covered stones line the edge, and fireflies dance lazily above the surface, their golden lights blinking like fallen stars. The sight is breathtaking, untouched, like something out of a dream.

Garrett exhales beside me, his grip on my hand tightening. “Wow.”

“I know,” I whisper. “Not a lot of people know about this place. It’s a hidden gem… that your mom shared with me.”

He turns his gaze to me, his expression softer now, appreciative. “And you wanted to share it with me?”

I nod, smiling. “Of course.”

But as I take a step forward, something catches my eye—a glint of metal in the moonlight, unnatural against the wild beauty of the clearing. My stomach knots with unease.

“Wait,” I say, pulling my hand from Garrett’s and walking toward the object. As I get closer, my chest tightens.

It’s equipment—surveying tools, stakes, and a tripod with measuring instruments. Nearby, a small pile of digging tools rests against a tree. I crouch down, running my fingers over the smooth metal of a measuring rod, my pulse quickening. This isn’t supposed to be here.

Garrett kneels beside me, picking up one of the stakes and inspecting it. “This isn’t McAllister equipment,” he mutters. “Looks like something a developer would use to survey and measure the land.”

A cold wave of dread washes over me. “But no one knows about this place,” I say, shaking my head. “I would’ve seen on the security footage if someone was out here.”

Garrett stands, his jaw tightening. He glances around the clearing, as if trying to see it through different eyes now. “Someone was here, Maya. And they weren’t just passing through.”

I rise to my feet, wrapping my arms around myself, feeling a chill settle in my bones. “I have to figure out who was out here and why.”

Garrett steps closer, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me against his chest. I exhale shakily, sinking into his warmth. “We’ll figure it out,” he assures me, his voice low and steady. “I won’t let anything ruin my mom’s legacy.”

I close my eyes, listening to the sound of the waterfall, the steadiness of his heartbeat. In this moment, I believe him.

Chapter Thirteen

Garrett

The moon hangs high, casting its silver glow over the wetlands, but the magic of the night has dissolved into tension. Maya is quiet as we make our way back to her car, her expression tight and distant.

Her heels crunch softly on the gravel path, her shoulders set but slightly hunched forward as if shielding herself from her thoughts. I want to say something to ease her mind, but I also don’t know what to say.

She needs space to process it all. I do as well. She’s really shaken up about that equipment, and I don’t like that. I will do everything in my power to find out who was out there and why. I’m not about to let Maya worry any more than she needs to, and I’m also not going to let someone mess with the place my mom seemed to love so much.

When we reach her car, I hesitate. She unlocks the door but doesn’t move to get in right away. Her fingers linger on the door handle, her gaze fixed on the dashboard like it holds all the answers.

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