Turning to face Ivory, she takes my breath away. The first thing I notice is the white dress she’s wearing. It’s the same white dress from the very first night at the resort bar. The one that caught my attention then, like it catches my attention now. It’s a full circle moment.
“Wow, you are the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.” Walking towards her, I take her hands and hold them out to the side to look her over. Starting at the bottom, I notice her feet are in strappy heeled sandals. The white dress is floor length but made of light airy fabric. It blows slightly as the breeze picks up from the opened windows and cross breeze through the hut. Her golden tan glows against the color. Her dark hair is down inloose waves. Thin gold bracelets adorn her wrists but her neck is bare.
“Do you like?”
“That first night when I saw you wearing this dress, I thought you looked like an angel. The sun was a halo behind you as you walked in those doors to the bar. I remember thinking you were stunning, effortlessly beautiful. Tonight, you look like a goddess.”
A blush tints Ivory’s cheeks.
Suddenly, I remember the necklace I bought for her when I was onMission Super Secret Surprise Spa Day. Dropping her hands, I dart into the bedroom.
“Uh, not exactly inspiring,” Ivory calls from where I left her.
Sifting through my suitcase, I find the box the necklace was wrapped in and pull it out.
“Sorry, I had to grab something.” When I walk back into the main room, I hold out the box to Ivory. “This is for you.”
“You got me a present?”
“I’ve been waiting for the right moment to give it to you. This feels like that moment.” When she doesn’t take the box, her eyes bouncing between the box and my eyes, I slowly untie the ribbon while I talk. “I didn’t intend for this to happen at the same time but I can’t help it.”
“For what to happen?” Ivory watches me untie the ribbon slowly. When it drops to the floor, her eyes come back to mine.
“I saw this in the store when I was buying all the spa day supplies. Something about it called to me. The way your soul calls to my soul. Seeing it reminded me of you, and I knew you had to have it. That I wanted to give it to you. I think I knew even then…” Pausing, I open the box to reveal the necklace.
Ivory gasps when she sees the green agate sea glass. “Preston.” Her hands come up to cover her mouth as it drops open. The gold reflects in the sunlight.
Reaching out, I grab one of her hands in mine. “Ives, I love you. I’ve known it for a long time and I can’t go another secondwithout telling you how I feel. You turned my world on its axis. I didn’t expect to come down here and meet anyone. Let alone you. I didn’t expect my biggest adventure wouldn’t be Belize or a destination, but a person. You. You are my greatest adventure.”
Ivory grips my hand. Tears sparkle in her eyes at my words. Her other palm cups my cheek as she pulls me in for a kiss. I hope that means she feels the same way.
Since she doesn’t say anything, I keep going. “I was serious about not letting you go when we leave here. We can make this work. I want to make this work. I want you, Ives. I love you.”
Ivory closes her eyes digesting the words. Her tears break free and run down her cheeks. I swipe them away, never letting go of her hand.
“Are these good tears or bad tears?”
“Good tears. Oh gosh, so good.” Her watery gaze meets mine and she smiles so brightly it’s blinding. Ivory looks into the box then, inspecting the jewelry. “Preston, this is gorgeous. I can’t believe it's real.” She runs her finger along the necklace then picks up the agate bobble on the end. “Will you help me put it on?” Ivory looks up at me happily.
“Of course.” Lifting the necklace out of the box, I turn to set it down. Ivory spins around and pulls her hair over her shoulder. Lowering the necklace over her head, I secure it to her neck, kissing her shoulder after it falls into position.
I’m about to pull away when Ivory speaks. “And Preston,” she says, looking over her shoulder at me. My face is still over her shoulder. “I think I love you too.”
It’s not a full love confession but it’s a step in the right direction.
She kisses me then and I pour every ounce of love into that kiss hoping to erase the two words at the front of that statement until it’s the real thing.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Preston
June 6
Yesterday, we left Corozal traveling south to Altun Ha, an essential trade center, ceremonial site, and the place where the Maya Jade Head was discovered. Overall, it was a great exploration day but by the time we checked in and ate dinner, we crashed hard.
“Get dressed. We’re going out.” Ivory is drinking coffee on the balcony of our penthouse suite in a high-rise in Belize City overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Ivory turns to look at me. The green in her eyes looks lighter from this angle. She’s so beautiful in the morning light. The sun’s glow lights her face. Her hair is in her signature messy bun. She’s curled up in the lounge chair watching the waves crash on the beach below. I’m going to miss staring at her.
