Page 45 of The Secrets We Treasure
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, I would.” He lunged for her. Giggling, she tried to dart out of his reach, but he grabbed her waist. A second later, he maneuvered himself behind her with his arms wrapped tightly around hers.
“Now what’re you gonna do?” he uttered, his breath tickling her ear and sending dizzying tingles down her spine. She didn’t want to do anything except stay here in his arms.
“You ready to go in the water?”
She shrieked as he swooped her up, dress and all, and carried her toward the water. He made a show of swinging backward and then forward to throw her in but kept his hold on her as she swung out over the water. Her arms were fastened around his neck. She held on for dear life.
“If I go, you go,” she said savagely.
He let out a full-throated laugh that caused her to grin. “Alright,” he sighed. “I’ll give you a free pass this time. But only because you’re wearing a dress.”
“That’s mighty kind of you,” she harrumphed.
“I’m a kind sort of guy.” He set her on her feet. She smoothed a hand over her dress and adjusted the fabric. Then, she pushed a hand through her hair, which was blown to bits from the wind.
His eyes moved over her in a slow, leisurely way that warmed her blood.
“What?” she laughed.
“You’re beautiful,” he said simply.
She felt herself blush and was glad it was dark so he wouldn’t see her bright red cheeks. “Thanks,” she uttered softly, her eyelashes brushing against her cheeks as she lowered her eyes. Greer was wickedly charming and fun. He could always make her laugh. Treasure had been accused, more times in her life than she cared to count, of being too serious. She loved that Greer brought out the kid in her.
They settled down, letting the sounds of the water lull them into a comfortable silence. Finally, Treasure spoke. “I’d forgotten how incredible it is here,” she murmured quietly, memories overtaking her. They’d run the length of this beach too many times to count, had built bonfires and sandcastles. They’d built large dreams on the giant, sturdy wings of the future, believing that anything was possible.
He turned to face her and caught hold of her hands, looking deep into her eyes. She couldn’t get over how incredibly lucky she was to be here with Greer.
“So many times, I’ve dreamt of being back here with you.”
“Really?” she breathed. Oh, how she loved hearing that.
“Treasure,” he murmured, his eyes filling with need as he scoped her face. In a swift movement, he released her hands and pulled her into his arms. Instinctively, her hands went to the nape of his neck, where she threaded her fingers into his hair and pressed her body against his. She felt the thudding of his heart. Energy whooshed through her veins when his mouth took hers, weakening her knees. Brilliant colors flashed through her mind, making her feel deliciously alive. His lips were warm and urgent, sending her spirit soaring high into the night sky. A rush of emotions went through her—sadness for the time they’d been apart, infused with the joy of being reunited. She’d come home to the one person and place that her soul had hungered for the most.
When they pulled back, he kept his arms firmly fixed around her waist. His expression was so earnest, so full of love that she couldn’t stop tears from rising in her eyes. He searched her face, his voice tender with concern. “What’s wrong?”
Hesitant laughter trembled from her lips. “Nothing’s wrong.” She wiped her tears. “For the first time in a long time, everything’s right. That was incredible. You’re incredible,” she breathed. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
Her next words rose inside her like a tidal wave, demanding to be released. “I love you, Greer Nash,” she said fiercely. “I’ve never stopped loving you. Not for one minute.” There were still hurdles between them. Treasure had no idea what would happen about Greer’s mother or Josette Chasing. She’d have to muster up the courage to tell Greer the truth. Soon, she promised herself. Just not tonight.
He looked puzzled. “I don’t understand. If you loved me so much, then why did you break up with me and leave all those years ago?”
Her heart lurched. Oops. She swallowed, trying to figure out how to answer. “I was young, stupid.” She winced inwardly, wondering if she should just tell him the truth this very minute. She’d hidden the truth for so long that she wasn’t sure if she could make herself voice the words. Greer would be angry at his mom. He’d resent Treasure for not trusting him with the truth. Hindsight was twenty-twenty. Yes, she probably should have come forward when it all happened and told him everything, but Josette and Francie had played on her fears, making her believe that she was holding Greer back from his bright future at MIT.
Josette’s hateful words were seared in Treasure’s mind. If Greer gives up his dreams and stays here with you, he’ll end up resenting you. Who’s to say that he won’t eventually leave you like your dad left your mom? Francie and Josette argued that Greer was destined for great things much bigger than Treasure or Honeysuckle Island. In that regard, they were correct. Greer had gone on to do great things. Becoming an engineer for NASA was no small feat. And yet, in a strange turn of events, Greer had walked away from his career. Thanks to Treasure, he was now a YouTube star. And here they were, back where they’d begun.
“We were both young. I guess we both had some growing up to do.”
“I’m sorry.” Her voice trembled. “Can you ever forgive me?”
Shadows deepened his eyes. “At first, when everything went down, I was so furious that I didn’t know if I could forgive you.”
She tensed.
“But as time passed, I came to realize that I love you too much to hold a grudge.” A wry grin touched his lips. “What can I say? For me, it was always you.”
