Page 14 of Hearts on the Line (The Maverick Key #1)

Scott

The bonfire burns ahead, casting shadows on the faces of those already gathered.

The smoky tang of burning wood mixes with the sweetness of marshmallows roasting over the flames.

I carry a cooler and a few folded chairs toward the group.

Jamie, Liam, and Margaret are already at the fire, their chatter cutting through the crackle of the flames.

There’s Maddie.

She’s at the edge of the group, her pink dress swaying in the breeze. Her hair falls in loose waves, framing her beautiful face. She’s talking to Hannah.

For a second, I forget to keep walking, my feet rooted in the sand.

“Hey, Scott,” Jamie says, his voice snapping me out of my daze. He waves me over. “You going to join us… or just stand there like a statue?”

“I’m coming.” My voice is rough. Jamie looks at me but says nothing. I set the cooler down and get started on unfolding chairs.

Jamie pops the cooler open with a flourish, pulling out a beer. “Now it’s a party,” he declares, tossing one to Liam before cracking open his own.

“Please tell me someone brought crackers,” Jamie says as he flops down beside Margaret. “It’s not a real bonfire without s’mores.”

“I’ve got you covered.” Maddie waves a box of graham crackers.

I settle farther back, letting the group’s energy wash over me.

My eyes drift to Maddie as she prepares s’mores with the marshmallows Jamie roasted.

She’s lively tonight, more outgoing than usual.

I lose myself in her—every movement, the highlights in her hair, her beautiful skin.

I know what that skin feels like. Soft and kissable.

She doesn’t need the fire to glow. When she settles down on a beach blanket, I grab another beer from the cooler and walk over, joining her on the blanket.

Her warmth, the scent of her, engulfs me.

“Thought you might be thirsty.” I crack open the can and hand it to her.

“Thank you.” Her fingers brush against mine as she takes it, and I’m hyperaware of each movement she makes.

I watch her lips as she drinks her beer and I feel a thrill each time we accidentally touch.

On the dive, Maddie was so at ease and happy under the water.

And brilliant. She’s good at it. There was one moment when we approached the hole that I thought she may have lost her confidence, but it didn’t last long.

The woman is full of surprises. Diving at ten years old. I shake my head.

The night settles into an easy rhythm of jokes, stories, and togetherness. Sparks spiral into the night sky as the fire pops and crackles. Jamie launches into another fishing trip story.

“And then,” Jamie says, unable to contain his enthusiasm, “A guy on the dock yells, ‘Shark! Shark!’… I swear, I’ve never swum so hard in my life. I barely got out of there alive.”

“It wasn’t even a shark, J,” Liam chimes in, shaking his head. “It was a floating log.”

“Ha. Those are just details.” Jamie waves him off. “Facts are overrated.”

The group bursts into another round of laughter. As it fades, I catch Maddie looking my way, her eyes filled with curiosity. Her gaze makes me want to touch her.

“What about you?” she asks, her voice drawing the group’s attention.

I blink, surprised. “Sorry, what about me?”

“Most embarrassing story,” Hannah prompts.

I sigh, scratching the back of my neck. “I don’t get embarrassed.”

“Oh, come on,” Maddie teases. “Scott, there has to be something.”

My name on her lips electrifies me. A vision pops into my head—Maddie beneath me in bed, whispering my name. I forget where I am for a moment as the image lingers and my muscles tense. Jamie’s voice snaps me out of it.

“What about the pool?”

I groan. “You’re not bringing that up again.”

“Oh, I am,” he shoots back. “It’s classic.”

I frown. “Fine. I was trying to impress someone. Thought I could dive off one of those Olympic platforms and look cool. Turns out, I wasn’t wearing the right swim trunks… and had to get out of the pool sans attire.”

This time, I’m the one at the center of the laughter, and even I have to chuckle.

Maddie’s laugh stands out to me—loud and full, making the embarrassment worth it.

I glimpse her long legs through the slit in her dress when she crosses them.

The bright pink color of the dress is a pretty contrast against the light tan of her skin. My heartbeat picks up.

“Did you?” She bites her lip, waiting for my answer.

“Did I what?” My throat turns to dust.

“Impress her.”

Her voice is soft, and she’s no longer smiling. Her eyes pierce through me.

I clear my throat. “I never saw her again.” I pause. “Turns out I don’t do casual well.”

I can’t pull my gaze from her lips.

“What do you do well?”

I stop breathing.

“Whoa, it’s getting a little hot over here,” Margaret says, giggling. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard her giggle. The entire crew is looking at us like they know something we don’t.

Maddie and I take another sip of our beers, taking down the temperature.

The night carries on.

Liam’s tale of his first kiss leaves everyone in stitches, and the topic of first kisses sticks.

“All right, Maddie, it’s your turn,” Hannah says. “Tell us about your first kiss.”

Maddie’s cheeks flush, and she looks at her hands. “There’s not much to tell.”

“Come on…” Hannah presses. “Everyone’s sharing.”

Maddie shrugs, uncomfortable. “I’ve never been in a serious relationship. I dated a little, but nothing ever felt… right for more than a few dates and some fun. Sorry to say, no kisses worth mentioning.”

“Why not?” Jamie asks, curious.

Maddie’s gaze shifts to the fire, her expression softening.

“I guess I was always in love with the idea of love and never saw it in just one person. Then I had to focus on other things, like school, caring for Mom, work… Nathan’s death.

” Her voice falters. “The men I dated only wanted casual.” She glances at me. “And I guess that’s all I wanted too.”

She doesn’t say she’s afraid—afraid of letting another person in, then losing them.

Like Nathan. Like her mom. I reach over and squeeze her hand.

I recognize the pain. But I’d endure my own grief a thousand times over rather than trade away a single moment I had with Adeline.

Suspecting someone as selfless as Maddie might fear love—makes me ache.

Hannah brightens, trying to lift the weight of the moment. “Well, it’s their loss. Those guys should have fought for you. You’re a catch, Maddie.”

Maddie brushes it off, but sadness lingers in her eyes. “Thanks.”

When the attention shifts back over to me, I hesitate, then shrug, taking a long sip of my beer.

“Not much to tell. You all know who my first kiss was. I married my high school sweetheart, and it’s now been four years since I buried her.

Adeline was an amazing woman. I was lucky for the years we had. ”

My voice catches. I don’t admit my biggest regret—never giving Adeline what she wanted most in this world—a family. I thought we had time. But I was wrong. And selfish.

Maddie’s gaze lingers on me, silent and thoughtful.

The fire burns low as the group begins to scatter, their voices fading into the night. Maddie and I stay behind, gazing at the ocean as we lay on the blanket. The night is quiet now.

“Thanks for inviting me tonight.”

I turn my head to her, my voice low. “I’m glad you’re here.”

We lie there for a while, the ocean stretching before us. We listen to the waves, the birds, and our hearts. When she sits up and gazes at the water toward the Drop, her expression is unreadable. What is she thinking about?

She stands to go and takes my hand, pulling me up. She gives me a shy smile that makes my chest tighten. Then, standing on her toes, she presses a sweet kiss to my lips. I don’t want to say goodbye. She does it for me.

She walks up the path, her figure disappearing into the night.

I can’t wait for Saturday.