Page 15

“I’ve been known to have them.” When it came to business anyway. As he worked, she studied the sun-bleached highlights in his short blonde hair. “Thanks for the help,” she said as he finished up.

“My pleasure.”

He returned the first aid kit and lingered there. “Think you’ll be able to travel?” he asked, dipping his chin toward her feet.

He had told her to pack. “Where am I going?”

“Key West. For some cross training with Ilsa, my amazing wedding coordinator.” He smiled. “And to get married, if that still solves this for you. Either way, you get a reprieve to decide how to handle Luca. I told him we were on our way out.”

“You also said this was our place.” She trembled again, as she’d done the first time. Not out of fear, but something closer to anticipation. What was wrong with her that she was considering such a crazy option?

He nodded.

“The staff will tell him the truth.” She moved around the opposite end of the island and back to the couch. “That I live here alone.”

“Are you sure? From what I’ve seen your staff adore and respect you. And I’ve been in town more frequently.”

With his sister, but yes, he made a good point. “Maybe. But he can be pushy.” Worse than pushy, although again, only her therapist knew how she felt about that night.

“Well, if we go, you’ll be pushing back. On your terms,” Rhett said, sinking into the chair closest to her. “He knows he’s here ahead of schedule.”

And why was that? Not that she cared enough to ask directly.

“Trina?” He held out his hand once more. “Let Gallo cool his heels while you do what you want.”

She stared at his offered hand. Strangely tempted. What onEarth was she thinking? “I’m definitely in on the whole wedding planner shadowing. But the other?—”

“Getting married.”

Count on Rhett to be direct. “Yes.” She swallowed. “If we’re married, people will expect us to be close, um, affectionate. In public.” That wasn’t her, not anymore.

He shifted, taking that outstretched hand with him. “You held my arm when Luca showed up.” Had she really? “Whatever we do in public is your choice,” he continued. “Every marriage is different. You’ve seen enough couples to know that.”

True. “Our marriage would be more than different.” For starters, it would be fake. She had zero confidence about ever being a true wife to anyone. Suddenly she realized this sketchy plan was little more than a sandcastle washing away with the tide. “You work in Key West. I have to be here. We aren’t going to convince anyone that we’re really married.” An unconvinced Luca with her parents’ blessing would keep pressing until she admitted the truth.

And that would backfire spectacularly. She could imagine the tsunami of phone calls and messages filled with her mother’s distress and her father’s disappointment.

“I have an idea if you’re game,” Rhett said.

Hewasthe idea guy. “Do tell?”

“You come away with me to Key West for three days, tops. Officially, you’ll meet with the best wedding planner in the business. While we’re there she can handle our wedding. I’ll send her an email while you pack.”

“Tonight?”

“Do you really want to deal with Gallo in the breakfast room tomorrow?”

Her stomach twisted. “Of course not.”

“When we return, we’ll share the news with friends andfamily. I’m sure even Gallo will raise his glass to toast our whirlwind romance.”

Romance? As if she would ever be able to pull that off. “I don’t have a dress or?—”

“Ilsa knows what to do and how to make it happen. She knows where to shop.”

“A long-distance marriage? Will anyone in your family believe that’s what you want?”

He shrugged. “I can stay here and work remotely. I can commute to the Cove as needed until you’re ready for a divorce.” He reached out once more. “Marry me, Trina. It’s a good solution, but ultimately it’s your decision.”