“Or a cat.”
Lucas chuckled. “Even in our pretend world, it isn’t easy for us to be married, is it?”
“Not at all.” Kendra grinned at him, but in truth, it wasn’t as hard for her to pretend to be married to him anymore. Talking and spending time with him made being married feel less and less like a charade. She could almost imagine that they really had met in college, married in a simple sunset ceremony, and planned a life together.
Which was ridiculous, because she was supposed to be married to another man right now.
Yet she felt something for Lucas. When he was near her, it was as if they were connected by invisible threads. She was aware of each of his movements and of his presence, even if she wasn’t looking at him. She found him funny and interesting. He made her heart race and her knees weak in a way that Aaron never had.
Soon, it would be time to go back to LA and her real life. She would have to face the consequences of the failed wedding. But for now, all she wanted was to imagine for a little longer that she and Lucas were really husband and wife.
“Maybe we can compromise,” she suggested. “How about we get a hamster? Or a fish?”
“Or…” Lucas’s eyes flashed with humor. “A snake.”
“No way.” Kendra shook her head firmly. “No snakes.”
“Why not? They’re cute.”
“What?” She scooted away from him. “I can’t believe I ever married you.”
“Time to go back to Divorce Beach, then.”
They shared a smile. “Isn’t it convenient that there’s a beach for everything?”
“Absolutely.” Lucas leaned back in the sand, forming a pillow with his hands. He was still shirtless from their surfing, and his muscles rippled beneath his tanned skin.
“Okay, I have to ask.” Kendra propped herself up on her elbows. “How often do you go to the gym?”
Lucas chuckled. “I do work out regularly. I run and lift weights. It helps keep my mind sharp, so I work better and feel better.”
“Of course you do.” Kendra laughed as she flopped on her back in the sand. It was warm beneath her bare skin. “I do yoga regularly, but I almost never run or lift weights.” She turned her head to look at Lucas. “Are you one of those guys who runs on the beach?”
“Sometimes, but more often, I run on the treadmill in my home gym.” Lucas turned his head to look at her. “It saves time.”
“So that you can work more,” Kendra filled in.
“Exactly.”
“Do you ever think it would be worth working a little less so that you could enjoy life a little more?”
“Hey, I like my work.” Lucas leaned his head back, so Kendra did the same. She gazed up at the blue sky, which was studded with a few stray clouds. She wanted to ask more about what he did, but Lucas always seemed hesitant to talk about work, so she didn’t.
“Should we go back to the room so you can check your phone, then?” Kendra asked.
“Nah,” Lucas answered easily. “I’m enjoying myself. And I still need to recover from surfing. Why would anyone do a sport that involves hurling yourself across the ocean on a wooden board?”
“Let me guess.” Kendra smiled up at the sky. “You’re also not a fan of skiing.”
“I’ve never been, actually.”
“Really?” Kendra rolled onto her side to look at him. A few grains of sand clung to her back, so she brushed them away with one hand. “That’s hard to believe.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Guys who have vacation houses and private jets tend to go skiing at least sometimes.”
“Not me. I’m a mystery.” He winked. “Do you ski?”
