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Even if it starts with a microphone and the words "fuck it.”

24

SOMEDAY

BROOKS

Maisy stoodankle-deep in the ocean, her tiny bikini a bold shade of teal that made my entire body hum with appreciation. She turned, her smile pure mischief.

"You staring again, Bellamy?" She arched a brow.

"Guilty.” I nodded, hands on my hips. "In my defense, it’s impossible not to."

She strutted out of the water, hips swaying, a siren who had no clue the power she held over me. Water dripped down her curves, and my boardshorts were suddenly too tight.

"I might need to go back in the water," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.

She laughed and tossed me a shell. "Distract yourself by helping me find the perfect one. I want a whole collection before leave someday.”

"We’re never leaving," I said, reaching for her hand. "You said so yourself."

Her fingers curled around mine. "I mean it. I haven’t felt this free in… ever."

We strolled along the edge of the surf, leaving our footprints behind. My thumb brushed her knuckles. I could still hearthe cheers from the symposium in my head—the moment she dropped the mic and ran straight into my arms.

That had been electric.

But this? Pure peace.

She paused, toeing at a half-buried shell. "You know that apothecary shop you took me to? Where we made our scent?"

"Best date I’ve ever been on."

She gave me a soft look. “Me too. It was like science, but less… intense. Less pressure. I kind of loved it."

"You were so lit up in there."

"I keep thinking," she said, hesitating, chewing her lip. "Maybe someday… not now, but someday, I could open my own. Something like that. With a sensory room, obviously.”

“Obviously,” I remarked, thrilled to hear her dreaming again.

“Maybe back in Holly Creek? A cute storefront. Then a bigger online shop with custom blends. Natural products. Mood-altering scents based on real science."

I stopped and turned to her. "Maisy…"

She glanced up. “I know. It’s too much, too stressful?—”

“No. That’s genius. You could change lives in subtle ways. And I’ll build you the damn storefront, stock the shelves, run the register—I’m all in."

Her expression softened further, and her voice dropped. "But I’m not ready yet. I’m having too much fun doing nothing with you."

My heart swelled so hard it nearly cracked.

"That’s good," I murmured. "I was hoping you’d say that."

She tilted her head, confused. I dropped to one knee.

Her eyes widened.