“You never said you wanted to get married.”
Chess’s lips pulled down in a frown, and he turned his gaze toward the ocean. “I wasn’t sure you were interested. Since you never mentioned it, I figured we’d go on as we were.”
“Why haven’t we ever talked about this?” Angry with himself, André rubbed his face. “I shouldn’t have let you think I didn’t want you to be my husband. I’m yours. Forever. And I want everyone to know it. I’m sorry I didn’t ask you sooner, but now that we’re going to be together more, it was like blinders were lifted from my eyes.”
“So…are you saying thingsarechanging? You’re really not going to be globe-trotting as much?” The note of hope in his voice was unmistakable. Had he always been so unhappy and never said?
He took Chess’s hand, and they sat at the table. “I don’t want to. The past nine years disappeared in a blink, and yet we’re in the same place. That isn’t fair to either of us.”
“I wasn’t going anywhere. I hope you didn’t think I was unhappy.”
“No. It was my fault.”
Chess’s hand covered his. “I don’t like to think of a beautiful decision between us being the result of a fault. That’s negative, and I’m all about the positive.”
“I’m positive I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Chess leaned into him, pressing a kiss to his lips. “And I’ve never loved anyone but you and never will.”
Dottie came out beaming, two large platters in her hands. “I have eggs and waffles and bacon for you. Freddie is bringing the plain and chocolate croissants and biscuits.” As she spoke, Freddie opened the door.
“Dottie, I’m going to gain ten pounds this week alone.” But that didn’t stop him from reaching for the pastry inside the baskets Freddie set in front of them. “And I don’t care. These are too delicious.”
“You can afford it.” Chess placed a hand on his stomach and rubbed. “You’re too thin. I’m more than happy to fatten you up.”
What André had planned would use more calories than they’d consume, but he merely smiled and took another pastry.
After breakfast, André raided the refrigerator, and along with the bottle of Dom Pérignon, he packed a wedge of brie, several apples, a bag of grapes, and a box of water crackers. While Chess put on his bathing suit and got ready, André made a phone call, then slipped into the library and opened the safe. He removed the small black box he remembered his mother placing there after his father’s funeral. He slipped it into his pocket and left the room.
Chess met him in the kitchen in a bright blue T-shirt and a white bathing suit with little red lobsters all over it. A straw hat rested on his head, and sunglasses hung from the V-neck of his shirt. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” He hefted the tote bag off the table. “Let’s go. Dottie, we won’t be home for lunch. See you later.”
“You both enjoy. I have a nice prime rib and lobster tails for dinner.” Her hands didn’t stop whisking whatever she had going on in the bowl, but her smile reached across the room. “A celebration.”
“Thank you, Dottie. I’m still over the moon myself.” Chess squeezed his hand. “This guy seems to be full of surprises lately.”
“It’s no surprise how much I love you. We’ll see you later.”
They left the house and walked past the pool and tennis court. A winding pathway led to three smaller homes set back on lush green lawns. André’s house, a white, clapboard, two-story home sat between the other two. They walked up the steps, and André unlocked the front door.
Chess said, “I think I love this house even more than the main house. That one can get a little overwhelming.”
“Would you rather stay here? We can if you’d like.”
Light from the wall of windows spilled across the pale, shining wooden floors. Years earlier, after Dawson passed away and before he’d met Chess, he’d gutted the house and completely redid it, making the entire main floor one huge, open room with a wall of glass to take advantage of the ocean view.
“No. I wouldn’t want Dottie and Freddie to have to come down here to cook and clean for us. Even though we would tell them no, we both know they wouldn’t listen.”
André busied himself with opening the bottle of champagne, and at the sound of the cork popping, smiled at Chess. “You, my love, are thoughtful. One of the reasons I’m crazy about you.”
“You know I’m still not used to having people wait on me. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
André handed him a glass. “And me. Don’t forget how well you take care of me.”
Chess snickered. “You don’t need taking care of. You’re the most self-sufficient person I’ve ever met.”
He smiled faintly. That was what happened when you lived behind a facade. You got so used to pretending, you forgot the real person you were. “I need you. Don’t wiggle out of it. You know what they say: for better, for worse…only with you there’s only been better and better every year.”
