Page 343 of The Romance Adventure

All three women lean in as if eager to listen to the makings of a great love story.

“Oh, um, Cartegena,” I blurt.

“Casablanca,” Jolie says at the same time.

The room is quiet except for Luke’s babbling.

“My sister and my favorite movie is Casablanca,” Isla says.

I slide my gaze to Jolie’s. “We didn’t meet in Morocco,” I whisper, but now I have questions.

Her throat bobs with a delicate swallow. “I just meant that’s where I was before Malaga.”

“I thought you said Cartegena. That’s in Colombia,” Magnus says.

“It’s also the name of a tapas bar in Malaga, Spain. Which is where we met.” With everyone talking over each other, the threads of the conversation tangle.

“That’s where we officially met.” Jolie’s gaze fixes on the sun, cresting toward the horizon.

“What were you doing in Spain?” Ryan asks.

“We were both looking for the Cartagena Catch,” Jolie says.

Like a wave in the crowd at a sporting event, almost everyone shrugs.

“I’ve heard of that. It’s supposedly a lost treasure, including several historical artifacts,” Lally says.

Royal snaps his fingers. “Funny, our parents met on a boat called Her Royal Cartagena.”

Jolie taps the air. “Hence your name.”

“Hence my name,” he repeats. “But you haven’t answered the questions. When, where, how?”

Leaning close to Jolie, I say, “You can ignore this.” I gesture to the room at large.

She shrugs as if unfazed by my brothers’ repeated doubts and inquiries. Perhaps she’s trained to remain calm and focused under scrutiny.

“So, you’re really married?” Ryan asks, repeating Magnus’s comment earlier.

“How do we know she’s not after the crown?” Royal says, not willing to give up.

Wearing a Mona Lisa smile, Jolie answers, “You don’t.”

I know every mood and every expression worn by these three men. Royal’s drops into humility for three seconds. For once, my brother is put on his heels.

“You’ll just have to trust CJ.” Jolie links her arm through mine and our palms slide together.

However, even as we hold hands, I’m not entirely sure I can trust her. She’s either really good at her job, or I’m blinded by love.

Like fog at daybreak, silence creeps through the kitchen.

“Or we could stop this nonsense.” Royal isn’t ready to give up.

“I thought you were on board to find the crown,” Isla says.

He says, “We have the Driftwood.”

“One word. Glandman,” Magnus counters.