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Max’s cell phone went off. After a quick glance, he chuckled. “Gym’s out, my friend. Check your phone. You and I have lunch dates with the prettiest women in town.” He bent to kiss the top of Annie’s head. “And you get to tag along, sweet baby.”

A moment later Rhett got a text from a number labeled as the Inn. Trina had sent him the lunch details as well.

He shouldn’t be surprised. She was a quick study on the relationship game and doing a great job selling the story. Thinking ahead, he knew exactly where he wanted to take her for their first Key West date.

Chapter Eleven

Trina would never have guessedthat this instant-marriage or rescue-marriage or whatever they should call it would feel like a vacation. But it did. Her first trip to Key West was a whirlwind of wedding details layered with new friendships and discoveries.

She was loving every minute. And taking perverse delight in ignoring Luca’s many calls and text messages.

Dress shopping had been a delight. She was actually excited for Rhett to see the dress tomorrow. Ilsa had driven straight to a boutique not far from the Cove. The staff had welcomed Trina warmly and she’d felt like a star trying on a variety of dresses. Once she’d made her choice, Ilsa had taken care of ordering coordinating details to outfit Rhett.

The dress—a warm white—was form-fitted through the bodice without being clingy and the longer skirt had enough detail and weight that it wouldn’t get blown around in a breeze. The beading along the neckline sparkled with hints of fire like her opal ring. The style showed her curves to perfection, made her feel a smidge taller and utterly beautiful, and the color made her skin glow.

Plus, it would make a clear bridal statement without being too fussy or formal for the reception at the Cove.

She wanted to make a good impression. For Rhett’s sake. The Cove staff really did admire him and appreciate his leadership. She wanted to honor that and support the man who would be her husband.

For a while anyway.

At lunch, he’d seemed pleased that they would be having a reception after the sunset ceremony. And when the pastry chef at the Cove asked them to swing by for an impromptu tasting, he was all smiles. Max had tagged along, more than happy to break any ties.

All day it seemed someone was congratulating them and welcoming her. She loved seeing how much his team and the community valued him.

With the desserts decided, Rhett must’ve been riding a sugar high as he hustled her over to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. “Just in time,” he said, bounding out of the car.

He took her hand without asking and she didn’t mind as they entered about an hour before closing time. They walked through a gift shop that would’ve distracted her for hours and then a gallery with extraordinary pieces celebrating the natural beauty and colorful rainbow of butterflies.

And then they entered the garden itself and she was in awe. “This is incredible,” she whispered. She’d traveled countless places throughout her life and this leaped into her top ten list of best natural experiences. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, only that she had been surprised to encounter so much more than the colorful butterflies flitting about from tree to leaf to flower. A pair of flamingos waded in a creek that wound through the conservatory.

“It’s so relaxing,” she continued. “I’d want to visit every day if I lived here.”

Rhett nodded, a soft smile on his face. “It’s one of my favorite places in town.”

And he’d brought her here.

A delightful fizz coursed through her system as birds chirped happily overhead, fish zipped to and fro in the water—oblivious to any possible threat—and small turtles basked on sun-drenched rocks.

She paused on the path and closed her eyes, soaking it all in so she could bring herself back to the peacefulness of this moment whenever she needed a break.

Heat radiated from Rhett as he leaned closer. “They have a live webcam you can tune into anytime.”

“Really?”

He nodded, a conspiratorial grin on his lips. “It’s bookmarked on my laptop.”

“I understand why.” The outing touched her heart deeply.

He showed her more of the quirky vibe that was a Key West evening. Having dinner at a famous dive bar on the water. Enjoying live music for a little bit before heading down to Mallory Square to see the street performers who entertained visitors at the sunset celebration.

“This has been an incredible day,” she said as they applauded one of the musical acts. He tossed a few bills into the guitar case and deftly steered her around a crowd of boisterous tourists, closer to a unicycle acrobat. “I hope you’ve been having a good time too.”

“Absolutely.” He grinned at her. “Showing you around is like seeing it for the first time all over again.”

She ducked her head, a bit too overwhelmed by what he was implying. They were in public, yes, but no one was paying any attention to them. Was keeping up the doting-fiancé routine merely staying in practice? She wanted to ask, to clarify, just for her own sanity. Every minute with him made her want this to be real.

Real beyond the legalities.