Page 128 of If It's You

Maizie’s heart pulsed in her ears. She wanted him to say it, over and over again, how much he liked her. But if he did, would she even allow herself to believe it?

“Hey, guys, Lindsay has to get home,” Jayce said. Maizie dropped her hands, but it was a few long moments before Christian released her.

They got back in the truck in silence, only the sound of the radio between them. This had been the best date Maizie had ever been on. And the guy beside her . . . was confusing, but oh so perfect.

“Stop here.” Christian broke the silence.

Jayce slammed on the breaks. “Did we forget something?”

“No. Maizie and I will walk the rest of the way.” Christian reached for her and pulled her out, though she wasn’t sure how she felt about walking right now.

“You’ve gotten bossy,” Maizie said as the truck disappeared down the lane.

“I’ve learned from the best.” He winked and squeezed her hand. She bit her lip as the tingles raced up her arm.

“I think you might have been right about one thing this summer,” Maizie said.

“Really? One whole thing huh?”

She smiled up at him. “You are an enigma.”

His eyes lit up, and he scratched the back of his neck. Was he embarrassed? Gosh, he was adorable when he was embarrassed.

Maizie hit a jagged piece of rock on the road and stumbled in her heels. Why had she allowed Lindsay to talk her into wearing heels?

“Just a second.” Maizie stopped, and he stopped beside her. She ripped off her heels and sank even lower beside Christian. She had taken her shoes off to dance with him, but now she felt even smaller next to him.

“Here.” He held out his hand to her, and she released the shoes to him. He laced his other hand through hers and they continued in silence, taking in the moon and stars above them.

“I’m sorry,” Christian said.

Maizie stopped to look at him. “For what?”

“For everything I’ve done wrong since the moment I met you.” His gaze dropped to hers. “I’m sorry I didn’t shake your hand that day I met you. I’m sorry for teasing you. I’m sorry for throwing you off the four-wheeler.”

Maizie stared into his eyes. She hadn’t exactly been kind to him all the time either.

“I’m sorry I’ve been a huge pain in your butt too,” Maizie said.

“Oh, that’s not true, you’ve only been a small pain.”

They started walking again, but this time, Maizie was even more aware of the man beside her. The man who had come to the farm seemingly for the sole purpose of driving her nuts, but the man she was now falling for.

A sharp pain stabbed through her foot.

“Ow.” She jumped on her other foot, grabbing Christian’s arms with both hands.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just stepped on something.” She winced.

Christian bent down and scooped her up, cradling her into his chest.

“I’m fine,” she protested.

“Would you rather put your shoes back on?” His eyes crinkled at the corner.

She most definitely wanted to be in his arms instead of those death traps.