He cuts me off by stepping closer and gently pressing a finger to my lips. “It’s yours. End of discussion.”
I close my mouth, the ring suddenly warm in my palm. The butterflies in my stomach aren’t fluttering anymore—they’re doing full-on cartwheels. I slip the ring back into my bag, and it feels heavier now, in the best possible way.
“Okay, fine. I’m going to grab a cocktail,” I say, needing a moment to collect myself. “Want anything?”
“I’ll come with?—”
He doesn’t get to finish his sentence.
A sudden burst of laughter cuts through the air as Ethan comes barreling from behind him. With a powerful shove, he launches them both forward. Milo barely has time to let out a surprised grunt before they crash into the pool with a massive splash.
I burst out laughing as they both bob back up, sputtering and coughing.
“Payback for earlier!” Ethan grins wickedly, sending a huge wave of water straight at Milo’s face.
“Oh, you’re dead, Cole!” Milo grumbles, but he’s laughing too. He puts Ethan in a headlock and dunks him under the water, bubbles bursting around them.
Shaking my head at their antics, I head to the poolside bar and order a cocktail. Minutes later, the bartender slides me a vibrant, fruity rum punch with a pineapple slice on the rim. I take a slow sip, letting the sweet, tangy flavor cool me down.
As I return to the pool with my drink, my steps falter. A pretty blonde in a small red bikini floats near Milo, laughing at something he said, while Ethan watches nearby with a slight frown. She leans in way too close for my liking, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, clearly flirting.
Jealousy spikes through me.
Before I can second-guess my actions, I reach into my bag, pull out the ring, and slide it back onto my ring finger. Then I walk over to where Milo’s and Ethan’s things are, set my belongings there, slip out of my sundress, and slide into the water.
Milo turns toward me when I reach him. I don’t hesitate as I slide my arms around his waist underwater, pressing myself flush against his back before resting my chin on his shoulder.
He stills for half a second, then lets out a low, amused chuckle. “Well, hello to you, too.”
I let my left hand drift up his chest, palm flat against his skin so the ring catches the sunlight and sparkles brightly. “Miss me?”
“Always,” he murmurs, covering my hand with his. His thumb brushes over the ring and I can feel him smile against my temple. “You put it back on?”
“Hmm,” I hum, loud enough for the blonde to hear. “Couldn’t leave myfiancéwaiting too long.”
The blonde’s eyes widen. She offers a polite smile, then quickly excuses herself. Milo turns in my arms until we’re face-to-face. His hands settle on my hips, and his thumbs stroke slow circles just above the waistband of my bikini bottoms.
He tilts his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Jealous?”
I shrug, fighting the flush creeping up my cheeks. “I don’t get jealous.”
His grin deepens, slow and entirely too pleased with himself. “Jealousy looks good on you, baby. Especially with my ring on your finger.”
“Shut up,” I mutter, looping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer. “I wasn’t jealous.”
He hums, unconvinced. Then he meets me halfway, kissing me slowly and sweetly. He tastes like mint and chlorine. When we pull apart a few seconds later, he rests his forehead against mine.
“For the record,” he murmurs, his voice low. “I only have eyes for one girl. And she’s currently wrapped around me after staking her claim.”
Before I can respond, Ethan’s voice cuts through the air from a few feet away.
“I’m just gonna… float over here so I don’t disturb whatever this is,” he announces dramatically, paddling farther away with exaggerated splashes. “Carry on. Pretend I’m not here.”
Milo chuckles, the sound rumbling in his chest. “You heard the man. Let’s carry on.”
“Shut up,” I laugh, burying my face in the crook of his neck.
Aria suddenly appears out of nowhere, her oversized sunglasses perched on her nose. “Why do I feel like I just swam into something interesting? Did I miss anything?”
