Ivory cuts me off with a squeal and wraps her arms around my neck before I can finish. She’s so fucking cute, smiling like I hung the moon. I’m grinning from ear to ear at her excitement.
“Yes, let’s go. Whatever it is. I want to see everything,” she says, pulling back and meeting my eyes. “Oh my gosh, this is soexciting. Let me pull up the list.” She’s exiting out of her script that was still open on her computer before I can say anything else.
“I’ll get the map.” I took a map from the house on Long Caye of Mayan Ruins and grab my notes to compare with hers.
“Okay, so where should we start?” Her eyes are glued to the screen, navigating through the links in her notes of all the blogger sites. “Things are a lot closer to here than I expected.” Like her, I had no concept of how large Belize was when we first started looking, but to my surprise, we can easily drive to each destination in a day.
For the next several hours, we scour the internet for places to stay on our trip and a tentative itinerary. While Ivory focuses on San Pedro Columbia, I work on San Ignacio. We find a few different options. The resort in San Ignacio is re-opening soon and they have treehouse bungalows that we can rent for the week. Once Ivory nails down a small rental in the village near San Pedro Columbia, I let the owner of this house know that we’re leaving.
“Sounds like we have a game plan, Hollywood.”
Ivory beams up at me. Her smile free and full of spontaneity.
“We can always change it up when we get there and see. Or as the flight becomes clearer.”
“Is that—” I gasp, drawing my hand to my chest. “Is that Ivory Crenshaw saying that she doesn’t have to stick with a set plan. Dare I say some, hmm, what’s the word,spontaneity?” Bugging my eyes at her for extra effect, Ivory widens hers back at my teasing tone.
Gasping herself, she says, “You might be right. What have you done to me?”
“Not nearly enough,” I reply, nuzzling into her neck. “I’m proud of you.”
This is huge for her. To actively plan a road trip on her own but to also be willing to adjust the plan as things come up. Theconfidence in her tone and the excitement over this adventure says it all.
She’s already accomplished what she set out to do in Belize. I’m just glad to be her champion along the way.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Ivory
May 19
We arrived in San Pedro Columbia last night after stopping at an old Sugar Mill along the way. Preston is a closet nerd about history. He read every informational sign and pointed out things he found interesting. When we toured the artifacts on the grounds, he explained what he just learned. Other times, he was like a little boy running around pretending he was operating the machinery. It was so fun that I got lost in the magic too.
I was sad to leave the little house in Dangriga but it will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s where Preston and I took our relationship to the next level. Where he surprised me with a spa day, a trip to the bioluminescent lagoon, and many other adventures. It’s where we first had sex—a lot of sex. And, where I finally found my groove with my newest project. I’m so in love with the script I am writing. It’s more meaningful to me than anything I’ve ever done. I can’t wait to share it with the world. But first, with Preston. Because he has become my biggest cheerleader and my constant support. He somehow knows exactly what I need and when I need it. He championsme with his words, his silent acceptance, and his physical affection.
I need to talk to the girls. This is big. My feelings are big, way big and I don’t know what to do with them. As if she can read my mind, my phone pings with a text from Tay.
TAYLOR
Hey, we need to talk.
IVORY
Yay, my favorite way to start a text.
TAYLOR
Don’t be dramatic.
IVORY
You’re the one that started a text with the universal ‘we’re breaking up’ code.
TAYLOR
Well, I’m not dumping you. Are you dumping me?
IVORY
