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“Mm-hm. As your sister often says, I do know how lucky I am.”

Which made it all the more inexplicable that she’d never been completely honest with them about her career or her personal choices. Forging her own path, to hell with the wounds she left behind, had seemed like the most proactive option. The most positive as well. Leaving made it easier to keep the peace in her hometown where her parents had to live and work.

None of it felt easy now.

She’d invested in therapy and was proud of the progress that allowed her to push forward with confidence in her career. Most days she didn’t even think about the past or the unpleasant incident that sent her fleeing her home and the career her parents had mapped out for her.

She supposed she owed Luca an awkward thank-you. Without his assumption that they were so good together and meant to be, she might not have broken free to find the place where she felt one-hundred percent herself.

The flight attendant came by to check on them. “We’ll be in the air shortly.” She was trim and beautiful, with thick salt-and-pepper hair styled into a sleek bun at the nape of her neck. “Would you like a drink or refreshments?”

“Ask for anything,” Rhett encouraged. “Odds are they’ve got it on board.”

Too nervous to eat, Trina requested sparkling water. Rhett matched her order.

Once they were in the air and the water served, Trina attempted a regular, friendly conversation. “You commute this way a lot?”

He dipped his chin. “Often. With respect to the admin budget,” he said. “Now that Harper’s planning the wedding, I’m spending more time up here. Driving would take the better part of two days.”

“I didn’t think about that.” She rarely thought about travel times, keeping her focus on the Inn and surrounding area. One day, she hoped to travel more and explore the States, but she told herself there was plenty of time for that.

“You’ll see how removed Key West is once we’re there.” He smiled at her. “No one will bat an eye about my commuting periodically. Unless Harper wants to trade properties.” He paused, considering. “She and Knox might enjoy that, actually.”

“Is that something that happens?” As an only child, she couldn’t comprehend that kind of option. She deferred to her parents, following their advice and expectations, for most of her life. They were so used to her cooperation with their plans, they struggled as she tried to carve out her own path.

“Well, it’s an option. Though we’ve never done it, I like to tease her. She loves this part of the country and I’ve always enjoyed going further afield. So it works out.”

“What about when the Ellington holdings expand?”

He shrugged. “We’ll figure it out. I hope we expand, at a smart pace.”

“Your drive and ambition are showing,” she said. Both characteristics looked good on him. There was a glint in his eyes and she was learning it was an indicator of a brainstorm. It was easy to see why his family called him the idea guy.

“Good.” Another smile, this one setting her heart fluttering.

The flight attendant checked in on them, shared the expected arrival time, and left them to their conversation.

“Thank you again.” She loved to fly and normally she’d be completely at ease. Tonight’s flight carried too much emotional baggage. She owed him a better explanation, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to talk about it. “I still can’t believe we’re doing this.”

“Believe it.” He pulled out his phone and whatevermessage he was reading put a smile on his face. “Things are already in motion. Ilsa has us scheduled for a consult first thing tomorrow morning.” He set the phone aside. “Well, second thing.”

She felt that flutter fall from her heart to her belly. “Second thing?” she echoed. What did he have in mind?

“First, we’ll get our marriage license, and then Ilsa will walk us through our options for the wedding itself.”

“A marriage license?” The butterflies were drowned out by her heart hammering against her ribs. “I thought we were, um…” She glanced around. “Pretending,” she whispered. “Faking it.”

She’d thought they were creating an arrangement they could end easily when the time was right. Yes, he’d mentioned divorce, but she’d figured it was merely the simplest term for what would happen. If they married, legally, that changed things.

Or did it? Her parents would be upset no matter what route she took that didn’t include Luca or another man of their choosing.

“Hey, relax.” He sat forward. “I’ve been making calls, putting things in motion. I think it’s best if we make it as real as possible.”

“Right.” Sheknewthat. Freaking out about it was the wrong response, but she couldn’t seem to pull a deep breath into her lungs. He’d also said she would have a choice. “Why is that?” she squeaked.

His gaze was intent as he stared at her. “Close your mouth. Breathe in through your nose.”

She still struggled, feeling more lightheaded and desperate by the moment.