Page 139 of Faking it For Summer

“But I didn’t even know you had those feelings for me.” Her eyes search mine. There’s a lump in my throat as I wait for her to process everything that I’ve told her. I’m glad to finally let it all out. It’s been a burden carrying my love for her without being able to tell her; having that weight on my shoulders, wanting so much more from her, and being scared to lose her if she knewthe truth. In fairy tales, the prince always gets the princess, and they always live happily ever after. But I wasn’t Prince Charming, and she wasn’t Cinderella. There was no guarantee that she’d love me back. There was no guarantee that I wouldn’t ruin everything. There was no guarantee that I wouldn’t live my life wishing I’d never told her. Though I suppose fear had made me miss out on what could have been years of happiness. My fear had paused life.

I never want to pause life again.

“I know. I wasn’t brave enough to tell you. I was scared. But somehow, some way, we figured it out, and we are here together, and we love each other.” My words don’t seem adequate. I want to explain to her that she means the world to me, that life for me doesn’t exist without her, but I don’t know if she would think I was being hyperbolic.

“You know you can always tell me anything, Luke.” There’s an ethereal softness to her words that hits me in the gut in the most beautiful way. This woman is my woman. Has always been my woman. Would always be my woman.

“I guess I’m finally strong enough to admit that it’s always been you.” I grin. “Who needs all the billions I make in New York, anyway?”

“And who knows? Maybe if we find the hidden treasure at Hidden Cove, we’ll be billionaires anyway.”

“I already have a lot of money, Mia. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“But if I find you a treasure, I will also have a lot of money,” she says, laughing. “I don’t want you thinking I’m with you just for your money.”

“I would never think that, Mia. You know that.”

“I know,” she says, reaching up to touch me on the side of the face, reassuring me that I’ve haven’t made her feel like a gold digger. “I think I got caught up in my feelings as well.”

My phone rings again, and I want to ignore it, but the familiar twitch of my brain makes me look down at the screen.

“Oh no. Is it your office again?” There’s a note of despondency in her voice as she looks to the side, and I stroke the side of her arm as I look down at the screen.

“No, it’s my grandma. I’m going to get it.”

I answer the call and put it on speakerphone. “Hey, Grandma. What’s going on?”

“Hi, darling. I’ve got you on three-way. I have Mia’s grandma on the line.” I look over at Mia, and she shrugs. She has no idea why I’m receiving this three-way call, either.

“Hi Luke, it’s me, Lucille. Mia’s grandma.”

“Hi, Lucille. How’s it going?” I smile at her greeting. Like I had no idea who she was.What on earth is going on here?

“We wanted to tell you two kids that there was just a notification that a storm might be coming, and we just wanted to tell you that you’re not to go to Hidden Cove today, okay. The drive might not be safe.”

“Okay … did we say we were going to Hidden Cove?” I frown as I glance at Mia. Had Mia texted her grandma and told her?

“I think I heard you talking about going to get the treasure,” my grandma says, clearing her throat. “From the clues Mia’s been getting.”

“Oh, yeah. I guess we’ll wait to go tomorrow then.” I look over at Mia and mouth, “Did you tell them about the clues?” She makes a face and shakes her head.

“You don’t have to go at all,” Lucille says quickly. “There’s no treasure.”

“Wait, what are you talking about?”

“What on earth?” Mia whispers. “Grandma, what are you saying? How do you even know about the clues?”

There’s silence on the other line, which tells me that something is brewing, because Lucille and Bitsy are not known for their appreciation of quiet time.

“I suppose we should tell them now,” my grandma says, and from her tone, I can tell she doesn’t really want to say anything.

“Tell us what?” I ask suspiciously.

“If you think so, Bitsy.” Lucille must be in her kitchen because I hear the rattling of glasses in the background.

Mia frowns at me. “What are you talking about, Grandma? You’re confusing Luke and me.”

“Oh, just a little thing that Bitsy and I did.” The voice is far too innocent. Far, far too innocent.