Page 89

Story: For the Record

And never in my life would I have thought I’d be thanking Frankie for that heart-to-heart.

She heard McCoy’s breath hitch as if she was remembering the previous night as well. It turned out that once Sawyer worked up to wearing a strap-on, it was something they both enjoyed immensely.

They spent the rest of the morning walking the beach and sunbathing before heading back to the hotel for a shower. There, Sawyer checked in on Bree and Cindy at the restaurant while McCoy repacked their backpacks for the upcoming tour. She noticed that, once again, McCoy put all the heavier items and ice packs in her own bag and left Sawyer to carry the change of clothes and map. One of the reasons McCoy had been so adaptable at changing her dream trip from backpacking to traveling Europe on the last of Olivier’s dime was because she hadn’t wanted Sawyer to strain her heart more than it was.

“You’re a good person, darling,” Sawyer said softly, studying McCoy’s bashful response to her compliment. Most days, it was hard to believe McCoy was hers. That she could come from the life she did and find someone like her in the world. McCoy was so good, so gentle and loving, funny and silly. Sawyer didn’t regret a single moment since she’d asked McCoy to move in with her. Five months of waking and falling asleep together, sharing breakfast time and Sunday evening movies, and bubble baths and wine. Bree often joined them during movie nights or when Sawyer was also invited for Sunday games at Greg and Miranda’s house. It was all so wonderful. Hell, Sawyer and Bree had even come to know the twins’ nana, who was absolutelyprecious. It made Sawyer glad that, if nothing else, the decision to rebuild the McLaren helped McCoy’s nana financially.

“What are you thinking about?”

Sawyer smiled, leaning over to tuck her cell phone into the front pocket of her backpack. “Us, your family, and what a blessing this past year has been.”

McCoy lifted her bag off the mattress and carried it to the door. “They’re your family now too, sweetheart. Did you notice before we left, Bree called my dad Pops? Hell, I don’t even think she knows my nana’s name. So when are you going to embrace it?”

Sawyer considered McCoy’s words. She didn’t know the answer to that. Maybe when her house sold, after she and McCoy bought something that was just theirs, their life together would feel more tangible. Right now, Sawyer felt like if she pinched herself, it could all be ripped away and she’d be once again alone, with Bree living her best life in California. Now she had her baby back and the greatest love she could have ever hoped for.

“Maybe when you put a ring on my finger,” Sawyer heard herself say. Her eyes grew large the same time McCoy’s did, and she coughed, hastily adding, “I mean, that might work. Who can tell for certain.”

“I didn’t know you wanted to remarry. Every time I brought it up before, you changed the subject.” Happiness and a jovial, bubbly expression that was so endearing to McCoy’s personality sprung forth as she stared in disbelief.

Sawyer took a steadying breath, wishing she could kick herself. Admittedly, remarrying was a topic she hadn’t often allowed too much thought on. It hadn’t gone so well for her the first time, so why repeat more vows if they would be deserted not long after? But the more she thought about a marriage with McCoy, the more in love with the idea she became.

“I’ve changed my mind,” Sawyer replied, laughing when McCoy did a backwards, happy dance away from her.

“Wait ‘til Bree and the Fab Five hear about this. They’re gonna flip!” McCoy crowed, and Sawyer cringed as she toppled over the leather ottoman still sticking out in the middle of the room. Straddling McCoy on it that morning had seemed like a good idea at the time.

“Tabarnak, McCoy,qu'est-ce qui te prend?You’d think I announced that we won the lottery.”

Grinning from ear to ear, those kissable dimples on full display, McCoy danced her way back over and swept Sawyer up in a tight embrace, effectively lifting her off the bed. “Sweetheart, I won the lottery the night I met you.Je t’aime,Sawyer. Forever and ever and ever.”

“Still with the cheesy pickup lines, I see.” Sawyer rolled her eyes, but another laugh bubbled up from her chest. She kissed McCoy deeply, longing for another fifty years of those same pickup lines.

“Je t’aime aussi, ma chérie.”