“No way you’re taking the couch, Silvie.”
I pin him with a narrowed stare. “We’ll see, hot fiancé.”
Heated tension crackles between us. Every day, it multiplies. Like he’s gravity, I feel myself being pulled into his orbit.
“So, today we’re graduating to hot husband?” He playfully rolls his eyes.
“That’s the plan. Are you still on board?” I ask, nervous that he might be having second thoughts.
Yesterday, after our first kiss, we picked up our marriage license. We were able to waive the out-of-state three-day waiting period thanks to Wilby’s maneuvering. I still have no idea how he managed that, but he made it happen.
“Oh, I’m on board. Just making sure you’re not going to be a runaway bride again,” Cal teases.
Even though he’s joking, I sense a thread of unease in his words. Cal’s the kind of guy women run to, not away from. He’s magnetic and incredibly good looking. And soon, he’ll be mine.
Fake mine, but still mine.
“No, not this time,” I assure him. “Thanks again for doing this.” My eyes wander up his arms, and I mentally trace the muscles he has on top of muscles. A chiseled body from a life of working and surfing. Not one that sees the gym, but one that lives an active life.
“Come here,” he says as he sets his mug down and pulls me to his side. He presses his head into my head. He’s warm, steady, and solid. I sigh and lean into him, breathing him in.
Our second kiss was even better than the first. How will the third, fourth, and fifth one feel?
“Are you nervous?” I ask.
He chuckles. “No. Are you?”
I shrug. “Not really.”
He holds me there in his kitchen, and somehow, being in his arms gives me peace, comfort, and a feeling I haven’t had with anyone...ever.
A knock on the door breaks us apart, and he goes over and opens it. Birdie says, “Yoohoo, good morning, love birds.”
She’s a mess but I’m glad to see her.
“Good morning,” I say as I give her a hug, ignoring the love birds comment.
“Big day,” she says, not dramatic, not teasing. Just factual.
I nod. “Yeah, I’m glad you’re here for this one.”
She studies my face, her eyes softening. “How do you feel, sugar?”
I consider her question honestly. Before, I would offer the typical answer, “I’m fine.” That was my answer to everything because I felt like I couldn’t be anything other than fine. But being here in Coconut Beach with people who don’t have an agenda for me, I can be real. I can be me. And right now, I feel good.
“Calm,” I say, surprised that it’s true. “Strangely, calm.”
Cal winks at me and warmth pools in my gut.
Birdie’s smile deepens. “That’s usually when you know you’re doing the right thing.”
Before I can ask where he is, Wilby shows up, carrying two garment bags. He’s already dressed and put together, as if this is another morning for him. Wilby loves events and getting dressed up. He lives for weddings and planning events.
“Good morning. I brought the dress and suit,” he says as he holds them up proudly. “They made it in the nick of time.”
“I haven’t even seen the dress yet,” I muse. “But I know which one you picked.”
“Optics are everything, Silverlyn. We need the photos to be perfect. We have to sell this as a real wedding,” he says as he lays it over the couch.
