“Why don’t I join you?” I suggest.
She blinks. “You want to run errands with me?”
“I’m here to assist and make sure the wedding goes off without a hitch. Seems like a good way to do that.”
“You don’t have to?—”
I shake my head. “I want to. Where are we setting up breakfast?”
Her smile is so pure and sweet. It does something funny to my chest, and I wonder if it will always be like this as I follow her into one of the banquet rooms.
Tables and chairs are stacked against one wall, and Fern sets down her things and gets to work. I do all of the heavy lifting for her, setting up tables and chairs while Fern rearranges things. A box of decorations is set by the back door, and together we spread out tablecloths and centerpieces.
The hotel staff takes over, bringing in flowers and setting out plates, glasses, and cutlery. I watch my girl as she talks to the manager, then the doors open as her family shuffles in.
Half of them look asleep or hungover. They take their seats, and it doesn’t escape my notice that a chair isn’t set out for Fern. I clench my jaw as she flutters about, checking on everyone and everything.
“What did the vendors say?” Valerie snaps.
My hands clench into fists at her tone.
“I’m going to see them after breakfast,” Fern tells her.
“I told you to go last night!”
“They were closed.”
“You need to go now! This should have already been taken care of,” Valerie snarls. “Go. Now!”
Fern looks like she’s swallowing down a nasty retort. I watch as she pastes on a smile and walks toward the kitchen. I glare at Valerie, but she doesn’t pay me any attention as she heads back to her fiancé.
“Ready to go?” Fern asks, coming up to me a moment later with two breakfast sandwiches wrapped in napkins.
“You’re not staying to eat?”
“No, there’s too much to do.”
I nod, burying my instinct to snap at everyone in the room to notice and appreciate Fern as I follow her out of the hotel to the parking lot.
“Let’s take my car. It’s bigger in case we need the room,” I say, grabbing her elbow and steering her toward my rental car.
I open the door for her and smile as I go around to the driver’s side. I slip behind the wheel and start the car.
“Where to first?” I ask.
“The airport. Everything else is closed for a little bit.”
I nod, and we take off. It’s silent as we both enjoy the quiet morning.
“Beautiful view. Do you ever get sick of it?”
I look from her to the ocean. “Nah, I was a Navy SEAL. I love the water.”
She turns to me with a grin. “A SEAL? Really? What’s that like?”
“I loved it. I joined the Navy when I was seventeen and became a SEAL when I was nineteen. I got out a month ago.”
“Do you miss it? Is it weird to be retired so young? I mean, wow, what are you? Like thirty?”
