Chapter
Six
LAUREL
The private island where we’re staying has a stunning stretch of beach just beyond the glass sliding door. An orange and pink sunrise gives way to a bright morning that diffuses through the sheers and lights the open-plan living room.
I open the glass door and inhale the fresh sea air. Scott’s sleeping in, which both surprises and pleases me. Before this, when we were in bed together, he never slept through the night, even though he says he always sleeps better when I’m nextto him. There’s something immensely satisfying about being a source of calm comfort when it’s finally time to sleep.
I drink a glass of almond milk and read for almost an hour before I hear him moving around.
“Hey, beautiful.”
I turn and smile at him as he emerges from the bedroom. He walks over and I give him a kiss when he leans in for one. In his left hand, he’s got his tablet. The night before the wi-fi signal was too spotty for him to stay online for more than a few minutes at a time.
“My mom and Ash went with Kathleen and the Irish relatives to Ireland. Impromptu trip. So now all the Patricks are on vacation,” he says.
“Do you feel like you’re missing out?”
“Nah, but they could’ve waited to go until we got back so we could go with them.”
I chuckle and ask skeptically, “You’re ready to do back-to-back out-of-town trips?”
“Probably not.”
He confided that he’s never been on this kind of vacation. As a kid, the Patricks apparently took a few short road trips and went to Ireland a couple times. All the vacations were full of activities, including family parties. He’s never been alone and off-grid with anyone, and I can tell it feels strange to him.
“Hey, what do you think about going to Venice for a few days?” he asks.
We’ve been in such a good place since the wedding that I don’t mind the question. He’s started asking my opinion on things, which was something he rarely did at first. Trick is used to calling the shots and likes it that way. That’s why it’s extra sweet when he tries to include me in any decision-making.
He waits for me to answer.
There’s no way I can deny him a change of scenery if he’s getting too restless for the beach, even though he’s admitted he’s sleeping better than he ever has, which I know is good for him.
“Venice seems like a beautiful, sexy place, so I’m sure it would be a great honeymoon destination, too.”
He smiles. “Would you mind the change?”
I slide my arms around his neck. “Nope. We can go or not go anywhere you want. As long as we’ll be together and I can sleep late when I want to, it’s all good.”
Trick exhales. “You’re such the right wife for me.”
That makes me chuckle. “Why? Because I let you do whatever you want?”
“That, too,” he says with a guilty smile. “But more because you’ve been so flexible and sweet no matter how often I switch things up.”
“I’m having a great time.” I give him a soft kiss and then rise. “If we’re gonna leave here, I’m gonna get in plenty of time on the beach today, okay?”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll come with you.”
“Sure. Or hang out here to do battle with the wifi and make travel arrangements. Whatever makes you happy.”
“No, no.” He sets the tablet down and slides it away from him. “How about I make us some breakfast tacos, and we’ll eat them by the water?”
“Sounds great.”
I head into the bedroom and change into bikini bottoms, putting my rings on a gold chain around my neck. They hang between my breasts as I reach for the bikini top. Then I think better of it and drop the top on the dresser.
