Page 53

“Maybe I do.” She slipped her arm through his as if touching him was an everyday occurrence.

It was a struggle to keep his shock in check. “As long as that ‘I do’ is more than a maybe in a few hours.”

“I promise it will be.” Her mouth tilted up at one corner. “If you think I go on and on about Gentry Carver, you really need to talk to Uncle Bruce.”

He liked hearing her refer to Bruce as if he was her uncle as well. Within a few hours he would be by marriage. Rhett imagined Bruce would laugh it up and be completely delighted with the prospect.

It was the first time Rhett really considered what the family would think when they heard the news. If he was smart, he would give them a warning. Then again, a warning might undermine any claims of eloping for the sake of instantly, unexpectedly falling in love.

“Did you see they have wedding packages here too?” she asked as they strolled around the Hemingway grounds.

“Ilsa will be heartbroken if you change our plans now.”

“I wasn’t thinking about us,” she said. “We have wedding packages at the Inn,” Trina said. “Nothing as elaborate as you can do here. You have so many more options.”

“Harper runs up against the same thing when she tries to compete with me.”

Trina sent him a scolding look. “I don’t need to compete with you. The Inn and the Cove are two very different properties. It’s easier for me to incorporate the communitybusinesses in our package plans and our day-to-day efforts. I want to get better at that integration.”

“There are times when I’ve wondered how you manage a community-held property. I think having so many cooks in the kitchen would drive me nuts.”

She wrinkled her nose. “It’s not like that. The board meetings are easier than anything I deal with on the family side.”

“I thought your dad was pretty chill in the boardroom,” Rhett said. “Granted I was only there a time or two.”

She stared at him, her brow furrowed. “That’s right. During a summer visit. My mother must have dragged you and your sister through every tourist trap in Italy.”

“Except for boardroom day,” he said. “I got to go with Dad because I was almost a grown up,” he said. “You and Harper were too young.”

She laughed. “And glad of it. We were happy enough to enjoy the pool while you wore a suit in the boardroom.”

He chuckled. “I didn’t get sunburned. Marco ran a tight meeting that day.”

“I’m sure he did. He doesn’t tolerate distractions or tangents.”

She paused and he followed her gaze across the street. A young family was negotiating an ice cream cone with a toddler. The soft smile on her face was nothing short of maternal envy.

Why didn’t that bug him? He was single—for a few more hours. He’d thought for sure it was better to leave the next generation of Ellingtons to Harper. Now that she had Knox, his plan was stronger than ever.

But something about that expression on Trina’s face made him want to get closer. Could he convince her to give their marriage a real shot? After all, they’d have at least a year together. Why not do it right?

That kiss had been a tiny spark ready to flare into an inferno.

But he sensed he was the only one ready for that affection acceleration. He didn’t mind being patient. Trina was worth the wait. He nearly laughed, thinking about how weird it was that they’d have a more affectionate public relationship and he’d be locked in the friend zone in private.

Though the marriage would be real on paper from the start, unless she was willing to change the agreement, their union would come to an end sooner rather than later. Could he convince her? Was it even fair to try?

All he could do was show her the potential. He’d make himself available to whatever intimacy she wanted to explore. And as a friend, she’d soon realize he was her biggest supporter and champion.

On that note… “Thinking of your dad in a boardroom, it’s hard for me to imagine him pushing you into a marriage you don’t want.”

She turned to him, that warm smile lingering on her lips. Oh, man. He was in big trouble. When she aimed that look at him, he would gladly give her the world. Or be tempted to sacrifice himself in the effort.

“Please.” She huffed. “You haven’t been there in years, right?”

“Right,” he confirmed.

She swatted away his opinion with a flick of her hand. “Lately he talks of nothing but legacy and generational growth.” She rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t want to leave the bulk of his life’s work to my cousins.”