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Being almost at ease with Rhett was a wild and wonderful revelation. Although he didn’t know the details, he didn’t push her. And so far, didn’t shun her either. She appreciated his patience more than she could say.

“Trina! You’re not listening,” her mother accused sharply. “What is happening there?”

“Nothing, Mama. I apologize. What were you saying?”

“Please make Luca feel welcome. You must give him a chance, my darling. Your father and I know what’s best for you.”

If only that were true. “Thank you for caring so much.” Trina switched back to English because it made it easier to sound more upbeat than defeated. “I promise Luca will have a lovely time.” Just not with her.

She caught the comically skeptical look on Rhett’s face and had to turn away before she laughed in her mother’s ear.

“If you saw my texts, you know he arrives tomorrow,” Talia continued.

Trina didn’t bother to correct her about the early arrival. Neither did she complain about giving out Trina’s private suite information. There was no point arguing over what was done. “Yes, Mama. The entire staffis ready.”

“Good that you’ve trained them. Even though it won’t be your problem much longer.”

Trina let her mother rattle on about her imminent return to Italy. The family home. The traditions. Time and again she’d explained the contract she had signed, how much she loved the position, and how much she adored South Carolina. None of it changed her parents’ view. Of course they had good intentions, but she wished they would listen.

“Forgive me, Mama,” she cut in when Talia paused for breath. “I need to go. I’m being rude to my friends.”

“Of course, of course. Your friends. Introduce them to Luca when he gets there.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mama. I promise.” With the exchange of “I love yous”, she ended the call. And this time she turned her phone off.

“What about calls from the Inn?”

She reached into her purse and pulled out a different phone. “This is a number my mother doesn’t have.” Trina smiled as Rhett laughed. She’d never been so grateful to have the second device.

“What if I want to send you sexy text messages?”

Panic was a quick cold flash across the nape of her neck before she caught the twinkle in his eye. He was teasing her. She didn’t need to overreact. “Somehow I have a hard time seeing you as the sexy text message type.”

Rhett scooted lower in his seat, stretching out his legs and folding his hands over his trim abs. The pose drew her attention to his strong legs and the golden body hair that disappeared under the hem of his khaki shorts.

“Definitely not on a dedicated professional line.”

She’d been so distracted with his body, it took her a beat to register the words. When she did, she laughed. “I didn’t have any idea you were so funny.” Did that sound as breathless as it felt coming out of her mouth? She really hoped not.

Clearing her throat, she asked, “Tomorrow? Is there more I need to know?”

“Not really.” He sat up straighter. “We can play it by ear. Once we have the license, we can marry at any time.”

She managed not to sputter. This was all moving so quickly. “I shouldn’t take more than three days,” she said. “Not that anyone would question it.” Especially when she returned withher husband. “The board is easy to work with. It’s just my own professional preference.”

Her biggest concern was the likelihood of Luca putting her staff through hell in her absence. They deserved better from her.

“That’s plenty of time to hit the high spots around town,” Rhett said. “Ilsa works miracles on weddings all the time, whether she has days or weeks to plan.” His fingers were tapping again, this time on the seat. “Do you want your own suite or do you want to stay at my place? It’s not much different than yours,” he added. “But I only have the one bedroom. If you’re okay staying with me, I’ll take the couch.”

Guilt niggled at her yet again. “When this is over, I’m really going to owe you big time.” A thought occurred to her. Was he in this for some favor in the future? “Is that what you’re counting on?”

“Maybe a little bit.” He was joking, his eyes gave him away. “You really don’t owe me a thing. I’m happy to help and I figure we might actually have some fun.”

“In a pretend marriage.” Assuming she could pull it off.

“No one will question our romance or commitment with a wedding planned by Ilsa.”

She’d have to take that on faith.