Page 101 of (My Accidental) Killer Summer

“Need any help?” she asks, her voice light and teasing.

“Just making sure I don’t burn the burgers,” I reply, trying to keep my tone casual even though my pulse quickens at her proximity.

She laughs, and it’s like music to my ears. “You know you can’t mess this up. You’re a pro.”

I shake my head, pretending to be modest. “I don’t know about that. Last time I grilled, I think we ended up with charcoal briquettes instead of burgers.”

“True,” she says, stepping closer and leaning against the grill. “But that was a long time ago. You’ve had plenty of practice since then.”

Her gaze holds mine, and in that moment, everything feels right. The kids are laughing in the background, the sun is shining down on us, and for the first time in a long while, I feel a sense of peace wash over me.

I hold out my hand to her. “Dance with me?”

She smiles. “There’s no music.”

I click a button on my phone and Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise floods the area and one of her favorites begins to play, a sultry, jazzy, bluesy tune. She throws her head back with a laugh. “Oh, you’re smooth, Mr. Grant.”

I pull her into my arms and flush against me. “I don’t need music when I’m with you.” I wink.

As we sway slowly, I know without a doubt I can’t let anything happen to her ever. I can’t leave her. I have to protect her. Which means crossing one more line. Breaking one more law. Severing one more tie.

She leans her head on my shoulder, and I let my hands roam her ass, squeezing.

“Please tell me this is real,” she whispers in my ear.

I pull back slightly so she can see my eyes. “Nothing has ever been more real, baby.”

Tears pool in her eyes. I lean in to kiss them away. “Don’t cry, beautiful. Please.”

“I’m happy.” She shrugs.

“Elle,” I start, but she cuts me off.

“I need to tell you something,” she says, her expression shifting to something more serious. My heart races as I wait for her to continue. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us… about everything.”

I hold my breath, anticipation thrumming in my veins. She can’t be here with me like this and not feel it, right? How perfect we are together. Still. How we fit?

“I love you, Noah,” she admits softly, her eyes searching mine for a reaction. “I want this. I want you. I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Fuck, Elle,” I groan. The world around us fades into a blur as those words sink in. My heart swells with hope and disbelief. “You mean it?” I ask, needing to hear it again.

“More than anything,” she replies, her voice steady now. “I want us to be a family again.”

A grin breaks across my face, and I step closer to her, feeling the warmth radiating from her body. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that.”

She laughs softly, relief washing over her features. “Then let’s make it happen.”

I reach out and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering against her skin. “We will,” I promise, my voice low and sincere. “I’m not going anywhere this time.”

Jill and Jaq burst into our space, interrupting our moment with their teasing about how gross their parents are. But it doesn’t matter; the happiness swirling around us feels tangible now.

As I turn back to the grill, I can’t help but steal glances at Elle, who’s smiling at the kids with that light in her eyes that makes everything feel possible again. The sun dips lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over our little family as we prepare for a barbecue filled with laughter and love.

Everything is good. Everything is right. And for the first time in a long time, I feel like we’re finally home.

fifty

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