Page 52 of Deception & Daylight (Oak Ridge #3)

Miles

? Die with a Smile - Lady Gaga I’m not ready for her to see me yet.

The audience quiets and the same woman I met yesterday steps to the front of the room near a massive photograph of my girl and a huge display of her books.

“We’re thrilled to have you all here today for the release of M.W.

Hartley’s second novel, Finding Daylight.

It’s a profound tale of finding love through loss and healing.

The main characters, Max and Madeline are a stunning depiction of the depths of human connection.

We are immensely privileged and proud to have her here.

If you’ll please give a warm round of applause for M.W. Hartley.”

Some invisible force draws m e to her the moment she enters the room, but I manage to keep a tight grip on the tether.

She looks effortlessly stunning in one of her usual skirts with the plain white tee knotted at the waist, her long chestnut brown hair cascading down her back in waves.

She scans the audience and I shrink back slightly so she doesn’t see me.

When the applause dies down, she takes her seat in a wingback chair and reads an excerpt from the prologue. I’m mesmerized by her voice and each subtle inflection. She’s captivating, and she’s mine — whether she’s ready to admit it or not.

After the reading, the audience is invited to ask questions.

Several people ask about the connection between the first and second book in the series, while others focus more on Maggie’s personal life and her hidden identity.

She looks a little uncomfortable when someone mentions her father, but she handles it with grace, explaining a little about how she paved her own path, and I’m so fucking proud of her.

“Can you tell us about your inspiration for this project? Do you have your own Max waiting for you at home?” The question comes from an older woman near the front of the room. She’s wearing a Smut Siren t-shirt and, when I scan the crowd, I notice she’s not the only one.

Maggie hesitates, fidgeting with the knot on her shirt, her eyes vacant as she searches for the answer. Come on baby, you can do this.

After an agonizing minute, she clears her throat and starts to speak. “I was in a very dark place when I started writing this book. In fact, I had been through one of the most horrific experiences anyone can ever endure.” She pauses, sucking in a long breath before letting it out again.

“In the aftermath, I fled to a little town in Kentucky, searching for… comfort or solace, or maybe just an escape. I can’t be sure.

All I knew then was that I needed to get away.

What I found there was so much more than that.

As for Max — ” Her mouth tips into a small, almost imperceptible smile, but her eyes are unfocused and far away.

Suddenly, I can’t stand the distance between us anymore and I make myself known, pushing through the standing room only crowd until I’m only inches away from the woman I love more than anything in the world.

“Sorry to interrupt.”

Mags

That voice. My gaze snaps to the man standing before me.

His blonde hair is disheveled like he’s been running his hands through it, ocean blue eyes fixed on me like I’m the only person in the room…

in the world. My eyes travel from his face to his t-shirt, where “Maggie Watson’s Boyfriend” is written in a bold font with hearts dotting the i’s.

“I…um…” It’s clear he didn’t think this through, and I stifle a giggle as the entire audience waits on bated breath for some sort of explanation.

“I had this whole thing planned, but then I saw you and I completely lost the plot.” He smirks and the familiar way his eyes sparkle when he looks at me only confirms what I already know — I’m in love with Miles Barlow.

He turns to the crowd then. “If you could just humor me for a minute, I’d appreciate it.

I have some unfinished business to attend to. ”

Before I can react, he sinks to his knees at my feet, and the crowd releases a collective gasp.

“I love you, Maggie. I have loved you for an eternity, and I will love you for the rest of our lives if you’ll have me.

” Those words. My words. Miles fucking Barlow is on his knees at my feet, quoting my book.

I open my mouth to respond, but he stops me with a finger on my lips.

“You have challenged me, infuriated me, and changed me for the better. Letting you go was the biggest mistake of my life. I didn’t think I could be the man you need, but I ’d like to be the man you choose. ”

His rough palm cradles my cheek like I’m something precious, and every fear and doubt I had instantly melts away. “I love you, too.”

He smiles softly, brushing the hair away from my temple. “Say it again, Mags.”

“I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you, Miles.”

“One more time for me, baby. I’ve been waiting to hear those words from your perfect fucking mouth for years.

” His gruff voice pierces me almost as much as the disbelief in his eyes.

He came here thinking I might turn him away, but he did it anyway, and somehow that’s not even the most romantic thing he’s ever done for me.

This man is everything I didn’t know I needed.

Leaning forward, I cradle his face in both of my palms, punctuating each word with a kiss. “I. Love. You.”

“Fucking finally,” he breathes out the words like a promise before crushing his mouth to mine in a kiss that nearly brings me to my knees alongside him.

“I love you infinitely, Maggie Watson. Now, promise you’ll remind me every day for the rest of our lives.”

Another collective gasp fills the room and my eyes widen in shock. “What?”

“Marry me Mags. Marry me and let me love you the way you deserve. Marry me and make me the happiest man alive. Shit, you could marry me and tell me you hate me every goddamn day and I’d still tell you how much I love you just for being there.”

He pulls out a jaw dropping pear shaped engagement ring with a massive center stone and small, delicate diamonds encircling the gold band.

“Say you’ll be Maggie Barlow. We’ll build a home together, go on adventures, be the cool aunt and uncl e with amazing stories to tell.

Whatever you want, say the word. Just be mine. ”

“Are you begging, Miles? I thought you didn’t do that.”

“I’d crawl on my knees through broken glass if that’s what it takes. I love you in every language, on every planet, and in every alternate timeline. You were made for me.”

“Say yes,” someone screams, and the entire crowd murmurs their agreement.

“Say yes, baby,” Miles says, much quieter and for only me to hear.

“Yes.”

I throw myself into his arms, bringing us both crashing down in what should be an embarrassing display, but I can’t bring myself to give a fuck.

Camera flashes go off and that’s when I realize this entire encounter has been recorded from every possible angle.

I giggle as I gaze down into Miles’ eyes, his body pinned beneath mine on the carpet, before standing on wobbly legs.

I scan the crowd of onlookers with an awkward smile. The woman who asked the question Miles’ so enthusiastically interrupted looks highly amused by our little show. Miles looks down at me and back towards the woman. “Does that answer your question?”