“If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to your mother?” I ask.
“She had an aggressive form of cancer and passed away before I turned five.”
“So, you were raised by a single dad.”
Everly nods and pulls the scarf she wears tight. “That would’ve been the end of my story too, but I made a difficult decision.” She glances down at her chest. “I’m guessing my mother would’ve as well had it been caught in time.”
“Was that scarf hers?”
“Yeah, I’ve had it forever. Now that I’m too old for a security blanket, I wear it because it feels like she’s giving me a hug from heaven.”
Sudden fear for Everly’s health and guilt for bringing her into my mess practically capsizes me. “Listen, this is probably asking a lot of you. It’s not fair. I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? Grey, this is a blessing.”
“But you don’t have to do a thing.”
She sits up, meeting my eyes. “What if I want to?”
“Sonny isn’t your responsibility. I don’t know what I was thinking—” I scrub my hand down my face.
Instead of fear, she wears a fierce look of determination. “I’m your wife, meaning this is also my responsibility.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“Don’t you dare push me away right now, Greyson Adams.”
The fight inside continues. I reach out for her, not wanting to let it beat me. I pull her close. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Things are going to happen to me. That’s life. And I’m going to laugh about them. And pray, and talk because the first rule of Marriage for Real Club is communication.”
“Marriage for Real Club?” I ask, processing that she didn’t instantly enact rule number three, divorce.
“You don’t have to do everything yourself.” Authority fills her voice.
“You don’t either.”
“Then we agree. We’re going to play house.” She launches to her feet like it’s an official proclamation, then pulls me to mine.
A smile slides over Everly’s face and our eyes meet. “I think there’s candy in the piñata, after all,” she says, bringing to mind her comment about hitting a wasps’ nest when we reunited as client and coach.
A moment breezes between us and I could plant my lips on hers, revisiting the kiss on our wedding day and see what happens. My pulse thunders and lightning flashes through my veins.
Her eyes sparkle in the low light.
My lips quirk. “In that case, we probably ought to test things out. We should do what married people do.”
“Such as?” Her smile turns flirtatious like she knows exactly what I’m thinking.
If I were to look in the mirror, I wouldn’t see my brother or anyone I recognize, because I can hardly identify the feelings that consume me. Longing, desire. All for Buttercup, for Everly.
We’re suspended in time, held here between our pasts and whatever will happen in the future, but on this secret island, there is only this moment.
Only the two of us.
I pick up our hands and kiss the slim wedding band on Everly’s finger.
She turns my hand over and wiggles my ring finger. “Looks like you’re missing something.”
