“I gave them the booster seat from my car,” Cole said. “So don’t worry about that.”
She nodded and watched as they got Ruby settled and then drove away. It felt weird seeing her sister ride off with someone else. It was different when it was with Cole, but anyone else felt strange.
“You okay?” Cole asked. “I didn’t want to spring it on you, but I figured if Ruby was okay with it, then you would be too. But if you’re uncomfortable, we can go get her.”
“No, it’s fine. I know she’s in great hands with your sisters. It just feels weird to let her go,” Ava said. Then she turned around and wrapped her arms around Cole. “But what’s this I hear about a massage and hot springs?”
Cole laughed. “Let’s get packed, and I’ll show you.”
Cole and Avawalked into the resort hand-in-hand. Cole had only been there a handful of times growing up, but it was more of a tourist place than anything. He knew Ava had been there to take photos for weddings, but he wasn’t sure she had ever gone to the hot springs or for a massage to treat herself. He suspectednot, since she had a bright smile on her face and an excitement he hadn’t seen before.
They checked into their room and dropped their bags off before heading down to the spa for their massages. Cole kissed Ava’s forehead before they parted ways to get dressed in their robes in the designated locker rooms. Once he was ready, he was brought to the room where his massage would take place, finding Ava already there. The attendant left the room to give them a moment to get on their tables.
By the time the massage was done, Ava looked the most relaxed he had ever seen her. The smile on her face was complete bliss, and he mentally patted himself on the back. Once they were dressed, they went into the restaurant for dinner before going back to their room.
“Ready for the hot springs?” Cole asked.
“Yes. Hey.” She took his hand in hers and pulled him closer. “Thank you for this. I didn’t realize how much I needed it. That massage was amazing.”
“I can give you another type of massage later.” He bounced his eyebrows up and down.
She laughed. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
Once they were wearing their swimsuits, they went down to the bar to grab drinks before getting into the hot springs. They settled into the hottest pool before leaning back and looking around. It was busy with tourists, and they recognized very few people there.
Ava held up her fishbowl margarita and whispered, “If I drink this, will you refuse to have sex with me?”
Cole snorted and almost spit his drink out before coughing and thumping his chest with his fist. “If you want me to do it with you, I will. But give me your consent now, and I’ll ask you again later too.”
“I consent to it all.”
He laughed. “I’ll ask again later. But don’t get wasted. I don’t want to have sex with you when you’re wasted.”
Ava took a sip of her drink. “I’m pretty sure they forgot most of the alcohol in here. I can barely taste it.”
“Good. I don’t like drunken sex anyway.”
“Me neither.”
He chuckled. “Mm-hmm. Sure. Says the woman who got the largest drink on the menu.”
She slapped his chest with the back of her hand and giggled.
Cole tugged her closer to his side and kissed the side of her head. “I love you, Ava Rose.”
She looked up at him with more love than he ever thought possible. “I love you, Cole Miller.”
