“Rings,” he hisses at me.
Oh, shit. I dig into my pocket and pull out the box for him.
Bellamy and Noel exchange rings, kiss with a lot of tongue for the cameras, then we all erupt into applause. And all the while, my eyes never leave Hayden’s.
Later, after breaking for a light lunch and setting up the lounge for the evening reception, Hayden and I are in our state room, getting changed.
He comes out of the bathroom in a pair of beige linen pants and a white linen button-down shirt, open at the collar. His hair and skin are still a bit damp from the shower and the moisture is making the linen kind of see-through.
My breath catches in my chest as I watch him pad around the room.
He’s been going to his weekly therapy appointments, although he still comes out looking wrecked most of the time. Dr. Tina suggested a really low dose of medication to ease him into it and he just started taking it a couple days ago. It’s too early to tell if it’s working, but he seems optimistic about it.
Which is the important bit—that he’s hopeful about how things are going. He’s working really hard and doing all the things he’s supposed to, and like, yeah, there are no guarantees or anything, but he’s not giving up. That’s all I can ask for.
Hayden catches me staring at him from where I’m lounging on the bed. He pauses as he’s fastening a blingy gold watch on his wrist and meets my gaze through the mirror.
“Hey,” I say, trying to lower my voice into something seductive, but instead I end up sounding like a teenager going through puberty.
He snorts and breaks out into a brilliant smile. A calming peace settles inside me. Hayden’s going to be okay.
He turns and sets a knee on the foot of the bed. Warmth fills me as he crawls up the bed and lies down next to me. I turn toward him and hook my leg over his.
“Hey,” I whisper again.
“Hey.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
We lay there, just soaking in each other’s presence until it’s time to go back out to the lounge.
The sun is at its golden hour, bathing everything in a warm glow. Fairy lights are strung up around the lounge and giant burgundy flowers are scattered on every surface. Next to the bar is a table filled with enough food to feed everyone on board for three days. And next to that is a massive cake. They went with champagne and crème de cassis—good choice. Upbeat music filters in through hidden speakers.
“When are you guys leaving for California?” Rhys asks, perched on the edge of a couch in the lounge, champagne glass in hand. He’s wearing a peach-colored flowy floor-length dress with his long hair curled into beachy waves.
“Next week,” I answer from the opposite couch. Hayden’s beside me, discussing the catered food with Angel, who’s sitting beside Rhys.
“That should be fun! Right?” I appreciate Rhys’s attempt at being encouraging and concerned at the same time.
“Yeah.” I’m excited to see my family again. I’ve missed them more than I’m willing to admit. It’ll be nice to actually say a proper goodbye to them this time rather than just running awaywithout telling them. But things with my mom are still… not great. I did finally talk to her for longer than half a minute. She’s still not thrilled about the whole situation, but we’re making progress.
“And how’s…” He tilts his head subtly in Hayden’s direction. “He feeling about the trip?”
I slide my hand onto Hayden’s thigh and he covers it with his own. “Nervous. But he doesn’t have to be. They’re going to love him.”
Rhys smiles and shoots a quick glance at him. “Oh, definitely. Everyone loves Hayden. I watched your videos, by the way.”
A tickle of nerves makes my stomach twist. “Yeah?” I want to ask what he thinks. But I’m scared. What if they’re bad? What if I’m terrible in them?
Rhys reaches across the low coffee table between us and grabs my hand. He’s surprisingly strong for someone so petite. “Girl, they’re fucking amazing. Like, seriously. It’s so different from the stuff the rest of us do. It’s so, like, fun! Not that the rest of us aren’t fun. But you two make fucking look like you’re frolicking in the meadows or something.”
I’m not sure what to say to that. I mean, sex with Hayden is definitely fun. It’s one of my favorite things to do. But frolicking in the meadows? Okay, I guess. “Thanks. I hope the videos do well. Sebastian thinks they will.”
Rhys nods eagerly. “Oh, they totally will. Be prepared. You’re going to be the next superstar.”
I don’t know about that, but I’ll take his vote of confidence.
