Sylvie nodded slowly. “And you’re happier now? Even though life’s less certain, and the plan’s out the window?”
“A hundred times happier,” Moira said, laughing. “A thousand!”
The joy on her face was contagious. Sylvie couldn’t stop herself from grinning.
“Well, if you ever find yourself in South Carolina, I know an inn that could really use some new photos. I bet you could book a wedding while you’re at it.”
With a grin, Moira handed her a business card, and they exchanged details. After Moira left, Sylvie leaned on the railing and looked up the photographer’s social media. The sky had darkened, and the sunset had faded into deep purples. It was still beautiful.
Scrolling through Moira’s feed, full of stunning places and gorgeous portraits, Sylvie couldn’t help but think about what she’d said.Her year had been a nightmare, but good for her.
Would the next year be as much of a nightmare as Sylvie feared?
Would it be good for her in the end?
Chapter 18
There was no denying it—Sylvie had an amazing day yesterday with Luke on the boat, even if it got a little awkward when everyone except them took a swim before lunch. It was very sweet of him to stay on the boat with her instead of diving in, but she felt a bit guilty about it.
As she headed down toward the terrace, she couldn’t help but wonder what he thought of the whole thing. Was he annoyed that he didn’t get in the water? Did he see through her flimsy excuse of not realizing the tour included a swim? Sylvie tried to shake the thoughts loose by focusing on her plan for the day. When they’d said goodnight after dinner the evening before, she had found herself wishing she’d said something about seeing him again, but now, she was glad he had resisted and not come on too strong.
“Hey, good morning,” Luke said, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
Sylvie jumped but laughed as he went from looking perky to awkward. “Hi,” she said, holding up a hand to stem what she was sure was about to be an apology. “I’m just still a bit asleep. Are you heading to breakfast?”
He smiled. “Sure am. Apparently, they do something famous here—waffles with rum butter or rum cream.”
“Rum on waffles? For breakfast?” she asked with a laugh as they fell in step and headed toward the terrace.
Luke winked at her. “We’re on vacation. Isn’t that the time for misbehaving a little bit? Besides, I don’t think it’sa lotof rum.”
She let herself be led to a table for two and took the seat he offered without thinking. It wasn’t until the waiter arrived to take their orders that she realized she wasn’t supposed to be sitting with Luke—her table for one was already set but sat empty near the railing.
“Oh, I’m not actually sitting here,” Sylvie said.
The waiter blinked at her quizzically. “Aren’t you? I knew putting off my eye doctor was a bad idea, but I didn’t think I needed glasses that badly.”
The small smile and mischievous glint in his eyes relieved her momentary confusion, and she laughed—albeit a little nervously.
“Please, don’t feel obligated just because we bumped into each other in the hall,” Luke said. “Don’t let me derail your breakfast plans.”
“Oh no, you’re not derailing,” she said to Luke before turning back to the waiter. “Please put my breakfast against room one-twenty. Sorry, I’m not at my usual table.”
“Perfectly fine, ma’am,” the young man said. “So, will you have your usual, but here instead?”
Did he just wink at her?
Sylvie felt a blush creeping up her neck and quickly nodded. “Uh, except can I add a hash brown on the side? If it’s not any trouble…”
“Not at all, ma’am,” he replied, then turned to Luke. “And for the gentleman?”
“How much rum is in the rum butter waffles?”
“Are you planning on any morning activities where you may be jostled or in charge of a vehicle?” the waiter asked with a smile.
Luke appeared a little surprised. “Uh…no?”
“Then you should be fine, but the rum here is quite strong. Very good, but quite strong,” he explained. “We don’t recommend the rum cream waffles for breakfast, but rather for an evening dessert. May I suggest the vanilla cream waffles instead?”
