Page 92 of If It's You

Maizie followed her grandma’s voice and found her with a death grip on Christian’s arm.

“Yeah?” She kept her eyes on her Grandmothers’.

“The men are getting the fireworks ready, and I was wondering if you would show Christian the best place to see them.” Her grandmother smiled.

“Like on the roof? You told us no one can go up there anymore.” Grandma hadn’t let anyone up there since Hugh’s younger sister Flora had fallen off. She had broken both legs and also Grandma’s heart.

“I know, but that rule is just for the kids. I trust you two up there.” There was a flicker of something in Grandma’s eyes, but Maizie couldn’t put her finger on it.

“Fine.” She relented but only because she had secretly been dying to go up there for years. Grandma slipped the key into her hand, then whispered something in Christian’s ear that made his cheeks turn red. Maizie would have to ask him about that later.

She led the way up the backstairs. A half-sized door sat locked at the top. Night had fallen, and she had to use the flashlight on her phone to find the hole. Christian yawned behind her.

“You could help, you know.”

“I think you have it handled.”

What a jerk. He was not the gentleman that he had once claimed to be. When they’d connected on the basketball court, Maizie had thought their little feud might be behind them, but after today, it was back in full force. The door creaked open, and moonlight flooded through the small space.

“Wow,” she breathed, stepping onto the roof. The space was no bigger than four feet by four feet, but it had always been Maizie’s favorite place to look at the stars.

“Every night, I’m surprised by how many stars there are here,” Christian said, inching onto the roof behind her.

“There’s the same number in the city,” Maizie said.

“But you can’t see them like this.” His voice grew soft.

Maizie found a spot and sat down on the roof. Down below, she could hear the noise of the family preparing to watch the fireworks, but she couldn’t see them.

Christian took a seat next to her, and Maizie was aware of how romantic this moment could be with the right person.

She kept her face straight, ignoring him like the plague. If she looked at him, she would fall into his tempting smile and tell him something stupid again about how she liked the stubble on his chin. Her face warmed at the memory. He probably thought she was an idiot.

“What are you thinking about?” Christian asked.

Her heart stopped momentarily.

“That I was an idiot earlier,” she said honestly.

“How so?” Maizie met his eyes, and her heart wasted no time before it dove into the ocean of blue. No hesitation. Keep the life preserver on board because she was long gone.

But she couldn’t let him know how she felt.

“For thinking someone like Lyla would actually date you.” She fell back easily into their game of hate.

He slammed his hand to his chest. “Ouch, I’m offended.”

“You get that way a lot.”

“Okay, now you’re asking for it.” His fingers connected with her side, and she squealed, swatting him away. A grin split his face, and he aimed his fingers at her again. She laughed again, but his face grew serious. His hand lingered against her side, and she froze.

A firework erupted into the night, and Christian turned to look, releasing her. Another explosion of light filled the sky.

“This really is the best view in the house,” Christian said in awe.

“Mhmm.” Maizie nodded, overwhelmed by the moment. A breeze sent her hair flying across her face, and she shivered.

“Are you cold?” Christian asked.