“Comes with maturity—and perspective.” She angled toward him, holding his gaze for an instant before she snagged the end of the throw that was flapping in the breeze. “We should tag team this.” After helping him spread their makeshift seat on top of the sand, she claimed one side. “Bring on the food.”

He unpacked the bag, and as they dined on French bread, pâté, cheeses, chicken salad tucked in miniature croissants, and an assortment of desserts, they chatted about the festival.

“That was incredible.” Christi picked up a bite-sized cheesecake. “The perfect ending to a perfect weekend.” She lifted the sweet treat, as if in toast, and popped it in her mouth, leaving a smidgen of the filling on her lower lip.

Speaking of perfect . . . this was a tailor-made mood-changing opportunity.

Pulse accelerating, Jack reached over and gently swiped off the dab with his finger.

She stopped chewing.

He put his finger in his mouth and dispensed with the creamy confection.

Her breath hitched.

Mood change complete.

“We should talk.”

A pulse began to throb in the hollow of her throat as she searched his face. “Okay.”

“You’ve convinced me.”

“Of what?” Caution warred with hope in her eyes, and she squeezed a handful of the sand beside her.

“That you’ve changed. That trusting you isn’t a risk. That maybe the future I once thought we had didn’t die eleven years ago. That God, in his wisdom, just pressed the hold button until we grew up and he was certain we were both ready for everything a serious relationship involves.”

Her breath caught again, and her irises began to shimmer. “So how do we . . . where do we go from here?”

“Forward—if you’re willing. To a proper courtship. I’d like to take you out in a style I couldn’t afford the summer we met.”

“I don’t need that kind of courting.” A tear welled on her lower lash. “Picnics on the beach are more my style now.”

“We’ll do that too.” The tear spilled out and trailed down her cheek. “Hey.” He gently swiped it away. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“I just . . . I can’t believe my prayers have finally been answered. It seems like more than I deserve.”

Jack scooted closer and touched her cheek with none-too-steady fingers. “That’s not true. Despite all the tough breaks you’ve had, you persevered. You walked through fire—and instead of letting it destroy you, you used it to forge a new life. From this point forward, you deserve the best life has to offer.”

“I don’t know about that—but I do know that all the bad breaks I’ve lamented did have an upside. They not only made me stronger and wiser, they brought me back to you. Which proves that good can come out of bad.”