Timid (Lark Cove, #2)

by Devney Perry

One day, I am going to marry Jackson Page. I just had to get him to notice me first.

After years of watching and waiting and hoping, Jackson had finally noticed me. Me, the shy girl who’d loved him from a distance. Tonight, he’d made one of my dreams come true.

“You missed your chance,” I whispered. “I have to let you go.”

Maybe the quickest way to let him go was to watch him walk away. Make him work for it? I could do that.

The right retort would come eventually. I’d be sitting at home, stewing, and think of exactly what to say and how to say it. My comebacks were witty and hilarious. They were crafted with the perfect amount of sarcasm and bite. They just came too late.

I caught my breath and scowled down at Willa. “When were you going to tell me that we’ve kissed before?”

“I’m not bold. Or daring. But you . . . you were my risk. I put myself out there for you and it didn’t work. So yeah, I didn’t tell you about the kiss.”

“I think what’s important is finding a person who makes you better. And someone you can trust with your heart. And, Jackson? I trust you with mine.” Even after our rocky start, I trusted him. “Can I tell you a secret?” He leaned down and whispered, “I have a crush on you.” I smiled. “It’s about time.”

Air kisses. Sweet kisses. Soft kisses. Hard kisses. Wet kisses. Tonight, I’d learned it all. And I couldn’t wait to see what he’d teach me next.

Be bold. That was my new motto.

“Me too, babe.” Babe. He’d called me babe earlier, right before I’d come. Maybe it wasn’t so bad. Maybe it was actually kind of perfect. “That one. Babe. I think I like it now.” “Thank god.” He laughed. “I was running out of options.”

Willa was special. She was the exception to all my rules, because with her, there was no need to guard myself against manipulation or deception.

I was glad I’d been able to give her this dream. Some other man—a man who believed in love—would get her others. But at least I’d gotten this one.

She was my courageous champion. My warrior. My lover. My friend. My everything. Willa was the one.

She wouldn’t find another man to make her dreams come true. I was her dream and she was mine.

“Can I ask you something?” Willa asked as we walked toward her parents’ deck. I glanced down at her. “As long as it isn’t why. You hit your quota for that one already today.”

“It’s easy to love someone when times are good. Real love is about holding on to one another when times aren’t.”

“Willa Doon.” I held the ring between my thumb and index finger, then dropped to a knee. “I love you. You’re the reason I smile every day. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. You’re my everything. And I want to be yours. I want to make every dream you’ve ever had come true. Will you marry me?”