Page 87 of The Locksmith's Promise

God, not now. Not now when I finally have a second chance with Maggie.

My thumb hovered over the keyboard, but I couldn’t figure out what to say. Swallowing hard, I closed the app and tucked my phone back into my pocket just as Maggie came out of the bathroom.

With a bright smile on her face, she asked, “Ready to go?” Her forehead crinkled. “Are you okay?”

I gave my head a shake. “Fine. I’m good.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Are you sure?”

This time, I met her gaze and smiled into her eyes. “I’m better than okay. Are you ready to go home?”

“I could stay another night. Or two,” she teased.

I drew her into my arms and tucked her under my chin. “Next time.”

The truth was I’d stay there forever if it meant never having to tell Maggie that Jenny messaged me.

I closed my eyes.

I wouldn’t keep it from her.

But I dreaded her reaction.

She chuckled. “You’re squeezing me to death.”

I immediately loosened my hold on her. “Sorry.”

She tipped her chin back and looked at me. “I didn’t say I minded, but are you okay?”

I swallowed. I could lose myself in her eyes for eternity. Gladly. “Here, away from Moose Lake, it’s just us and our fresh start.”

She blinked. “We’re going to build on the past, Bax. Not all of it is bad. It’s you and me against the world, baby. No matter who else is around, it’s always me and you.”

I searched her serious eyes as hope tentatively reared her head.

“Anyways,” she murmured. “We wouldn’t be here now if things didn’t happen the way they did.”

I cupped her face in my hands. “Promise me you’ll keep that thought close.”

Her eyes skittered back and forth between mine. “Bax?”

“Promise me,” I urged.

She nodded. “Promise.”

I exhaled and drew her close. “I love you, Maggie.”

She paused, then gave me the words that infused me with hope that we would have our dream.

“I love you too.”

21

Pierced

Baxter

It wasn’t until the next night, after Corwin went to bed and the final credits rolled on our movie, that I told Maggie about Jenny’s text.

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