A MONTH LATER, at midmorning, Finn approached the biggest redbrick building at Bayshore University. The air was a little cooler now. Instead of tourists, students dominated the town just a few miles up the coast from Pleasant Shores.
Amid the small crowd walking out of the building, he spotted her.
Meg had the biggest smile on her face. She was dressed in a skirt and jacket, wearing heels, and she looked...amazing.
The man at her side was a good-looking guy, too, and they laughed together.
Primal possessive anger rose up in him, but he forced it away. It wasn’t surprising she’d be with someone. She could have flocks of men around her if she wanted to. Maybe he should put the flowers back in his car.
But he’d brought them, and he cared, and he wasn’t going to give up without a fight. He’d respect her choice, of course, but he knew what it was to complete a big project. At any rate, he’d congratulate her. He strode toward them, and when he got close, called her name.
She looked over and her eyes widened. She paused, then turned back to the man. Finn kept coming closer, so he heard what she said to him: “See you. Thanks for everything, Dr. Hypes.”
“I’ll call you,” he said. “See how the degree’s sitting with you.”
She looked surprised. “Um, I guess.”
It was a little endearing that she didn’t know the guy was hitting on her. He pulled his flowers from behind his back just to make sure the guy understood he wasn’t the only one interested in how the degree was sitting with Meg.
“The thesis really was terrific. One of the best I’ve read.” The man touched her arm, glanced at Finn and walked away.
Meg’s eyes sparkled with newfound confidence. It looked good on her.
“I wanted to congratulate you for finishing your defense,” he said. “I assume you passed?”
“I did,” she said slowly. “How did you know where and when?”
“A little bird told me.” He handed the flowers to her. “Congratulations. That’s quite an accomplishment.”
She took a deep whiff and smiled. “A bird named Kayla?”
He nodded. “She seemed to feel she’d been hard on me. So when I called her, she was kind enough to give me the information. Plus, she was sorry she couldn’t be here herself.” Apparently, Kayla was needed to supervise the preschool in Meg’s absence.
“Thank you for the roses,” she said. “They’re beautiful.” She inhaled them again, and the pleasure on her face tightened every muscle in his body. He wanted to see that look on her face every day.
“I remembered that you liked them.” On their one fancy date together, back in high school, he’d brought her a few roses, and she’d loved it.
Of course, he’d told Randy, who’d taken advantage of the insider knowledge to win her heart.
He brought his other hand from behind his back: a small bottle of champagne in a shiny gift bag. “Do you think we can find a spot to share a glass of this? I have cups.” He held the bag open to reveal a couple of plastic wineglasses. “I scoped out a secluded spot over by the little bridge.”
“It’s worth a try.” She smiled up at him. “I do feel like celebrating.”
Heat flickered inside him as he led her to where a stone bridge arched over a creek. Beside it were a couple of benches, with bushes blocking the main quad from view. Thankfully, aside from a few students visible in the distance, it was deserted.
“What if I get in trouble and they rescind my degree?” She was joking, looking around, and he loved it, loved how relaxed and fun she was.
“You’re not really nervous.” He popped the cork and the champagne flowed.
Laughing, she caught it in her wineglass and then held his up to fill.
He raised a glass to her. “To a successful woman on her way to bigger successes.”
They both sipped, and she raised an eyebrow. “You spared no expense,” she said. “But I can’t believe you came back for this.”
“I care about you, Meg. A lot. In fact...” He hesitated. “I’m house hunting in Pleasant Shores.”
She gazed at him over the rim of her glass, then took another sip. “You’re looking for a second home?”
“Maybe a first home,” he said. “Since the place is starting to become a writer’s paradise.”
She smiled. “I guess it is. I, for one, am planning to finish my book in my free time from running Coastal Kids.”
“I’m glad.” She had talent, and he wanted her to succeed. Wanted to help her, but he didn’t know if he’d get the chance. “Hey, listen. Would you consider coming with me to look at houses?”
She tilted her head to one side, like she wasn’t sure what he was asking.
He wasn’t sure himself.
Her expression cleared and she brushed her hands together briskly. “I guess it would be good for you to have a local perspective. I’m happy to provide it for you.”
That was Meg, never assuming it was her own appeal that would make him want to be with her. “It would,” he said. “But also... I was hoping if you helped look, you’d have a little stake in the place. Hoping you’d spend a little time there.”
Her eyes widened. He could see a pulse quicken in her very lovely neck. “What do you mean?”
Here it was. Time to share the vision that had been haunting him ever since he’d left Pleasant Shores a month ago. “I mean, I’d like to host you for dinner. Find a place with a deck where we could watch the sunset and have a glass of wine. One with some good office space so we could write together. Wood floors, so we could dance in the moonlight, all by ourselves.”
Her breath caught. “I... Wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just come help a guy find a house.”
She considered, and a tiny smile rose on her face. “You do make it sound appealing to spend some time there.”
He pulled her into his arms. As she smiled up at him, as he stroked her hair, he felt the secrets and the pain of the past slip away.
He hoped they’d spend more than a little time there. Hoped they’d spend a lot of time.
Maybe even the rest of their lives.
Read on for a sneak peek at the final book in
Lee Tobin McClain’s The Off Season series,
Forever on the Bay, coming this spring!