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Ilsa glanced out at the horizon. “Your pictures are going to be amazing.”

“Thanks to you,” Trina said. “You nailed all of this from style to color. I owe you big time.” Although it couldn’t possibly be difficult to style Rhett in anything.

“It’s a pleasure.” Ilsa chuckled. “I’ve never seen Rhett grin quite so much,” she said. “I’m thrilled for both of you.”

“You’ve made this so easy. I appreciate that more than words can say.”

“Are you kidding? I live for this. The reception is going to be a blast, I promise. The two of you only need to enjoy yourselves, the moment, and the memories you’re making together. Day one of forever, right?”

Trina gulped the water and changed the subject. “How is Annie?”

Ilsa tapped an app on her phone screen. “There she is. Already napping.” She tilted the phone so Trina could see. The dog was curled up in a deep fluffy bed. “She makes me feel guilty whenever we leave her behind, but we have cameras now that prove she settles almost the minute we’re out of her sight.”

“Such a sweetheart.” Trina listened, though her gaze kept slipping to Rhett. The wind ruffled his hair, making her fingers itch to do the same thing. Maybe she should chalk up the unusual reaction to the equally bizarre situation. Her persistent urge to touch him flummoxed her. For so many years, she’d only allowed herself to have these tingly feelings for handsome celebrities who were well out of reach.

No one who might actually call her out for shying away from a physical connection.

With her parents sending “good boys from Italy” to meet Trina, Harper hadn’t been shy about pinning down Trina’s ideal man. Though she didn’t want to ruin her friend’s fun, the answer had been simple: men she would never meet in person.

Now Trina had to adjust the definition to one specific man: Rhett.

The four of them sipped sparkling water and chatted companionably until the captain and photographer agreed they were in precisely the right position.

With the sun sinking low and painting the sky with swathsof pink, gold, and indigo, Trina’s stomach filled with butterflies. Holding a bouquet of blue hydrangeas and white roses, she exchanged vows with Rhett in a ceremony that went by in a blink. When it was time for her to say “I do”, she almost giggled, recalling their earlier conversation at the Hemingway House.

To her surprise, the moment felt utterly perfect. Nothing awkward or insincere. The joy in her heart was bright and real. There was only happiness in his gaze as he held her hands and smiled back at her.

The ceremony didn’t just feel real, itwasreal. And a good thing too. This was most likely the only wedding she would have. Gratitude filled her up that he hadn’t allowed her to settle for a brief few minutes at the courthouse.

When they kissed for the first time as husband and wife, she was so glad they had practiced last night. She didn’t stiffen up. She didn’t get scared or lean away from him. She let his lips brush hers and she kissed him back as the tenderness flooded through her.

Eventually, she heard Ilsa and Max cheering. The photographer staged them for several formal pictures at the railing, near the wheel, and in front of the incredible sunset. By design, their bodies were close together and by some magic that only Rhett possessed, she wasn’t cringing inside. She was remarkably relaxed and content. Probably the happiest woman in the world. Her heart overflowed with hope and affection. Rhett had done more than step up to do her a favor, he’d truly given her an experience she could treasure.

Possibly an experience she could build on. Eventually.

The crew served prosecco and refreshments as the catamaran glided over the water and back to the marina. The photographer directed them together for a few more casual photos and Trina leaned close. “Thank you for going above and beyond for me.”

He ignored the photographer’s direction and touched his forehead to hers for just a moment. “Always. It’s an honor and a pleasure, Trina.”

She basked in those words, a little overwhelmed by the warm intensity gleaming in his eyes, until Ilsa surprised them with tiny wedding cake petit fours—a perfect bite for each of them.

“Open up,” Rhett held the treat to her lips.

It was the most natural thing in the world to take the cake from his fingertips and feed him a bite in kind. She was married to Rhett Ellington. She kept glancing down at the wedding band, a perfect fit under her opal ring and the matching band on his hand.

She couldn’t stop smiling.

Since her parents set all this nonsense in motion, Trina had dreaded marriage. Of all the feelings she anticipated on her wedding day, effervescent joy hadn’t been one of them. No, she’d been braced for crippling anxiety when the day was finally forced upon her.

But that was back when she’d been resigned to tying the knot with a groom chosen by her parents.

Max drove them back to the Cove and Trina practically floated into the reception party Ilsa had arranged. The ballroom was decorated to perfection with more hydrangeas and roses, soft lighting, a dance floor, open bar, buffets filled with savory and sweet goodies, and too many guests to count.

They kissed again in front of everyone when the DJ announced them, and then mingled, never wandering too far apart. If she didn’t know better, she would’ve thought Rhett was truly in love each time she caught him watching her. She hoped she was radiating the same sort of affection toward him.

She decided she was doing well because everyone who spoke with her commented on Rhett’s obvious happiness and how wonderful it was to see him in love. She wasn’t so sureabout love, but with every beat of her heart she felt a deeper bond.

It would’ve been easy to blame it all on gratitude, but she knew it was more. He’d saved her from an untenable situation—one he didn’t fully comprehend. She really did owe him an explanation before they returned to Brookwell. The last thing she wanted was for Luca to interfere or use the past as some kind of claim on her.