His stare was so deep, so intense, she thought it might buckle her knees.

“I forgive you.” He brushed her hair away from her face.

“You do?”

“You’re forgiven.”

She let out an exhale so emotionally charged it might’ve crackled the air between them. “Thank you.”

He kissed her again with the urgency of a man who was feeling the same thing she felt. When they parted and made their way back to the regatta, the only complaint Louisa had was that they couldn’t stay on that beach for the rest of the day.

She loved him. He at least liked her. His kisses turned her entire body to molten lava.

And he forgave her.

All was right with the world.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

WHEN CODY AND LOUISA RETURNED TO THE YACHT CLUB, they exited the boat hand in hand. He couldn’t help it—he didn’t want to let her go.

Maybe it was foolish, but he didn’t care. He couldn’t shake the idea that he had to at least give it a try with her. She was so different, so full of life. How could he not?

“So you and McKenzie were never a thing?” she asked as they spotted the winners of the race celebrating under a tent.

“Nope.”

“But she obviously liked you.”

“Well, who doesn’t?” He grinned at her, and she rolled her eyes. “I spent some time with her, but it didn’t take. Turns out, it’s hard to convince yourself to fall for someone when you’ve already given your heart away.”

She stopped then and looked at him. “Cody, is this crazy?”

He shrugged. “I hope so.”

She gave his arm a shove. “I’m serious.”

“I don’t have any answers here, but I’m pretty sure ‘crazy’ would be ignoring the way I feel about you.”

Her cheeks turned pink, and he resisted the urge to kiss her again. It wasn’t easy. Now that he’d tasted her, it was all he could think of.

“Miss Chambers?”

They turned and found Jackson’s parents standing behind them. Louisa straightened and smoothed her hair back. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Wirth.”

“Please, call me Deborah,” she said.

“Deborah.”

The older woman glanced at Cody and managed a polite smile. “We just wanted to thank you. The work you’ve done to make this event happen—it’s astounding.”

Louisa’s face brightened. “It was our pleasure, really.” She reached over and touched Deborah’s arm, squeezed it gently, and it amazed Cody how comfortable she was connecting with people. How did that come so easily to her?