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“I’d like to speak with Trina alone.”

“No,” they said in unison.

“I’m sure you’d like to get home,” Rhett said. “We’re happy to arrange for a car to the airport.”

“Trina,” Luca pleaded. “A word?”

Trina plopped a slice of cake on his plate. “Thank you for joining our party, Mr. Gallo. Please enjoy yourself.”

He moved along, but from the corner of her eye, she saw him dump the cake in a potted plant. The man was a menace. She managed to keep the string of curses inside her head. And out of pure joy for the man she did marry, she kissed Rhett soundly on the lips.

He grinned in complete understanding.

When the impromptu reception line died down about an hour later, Rhett shared a text message with her: Gallo at the airport

“How long ago?” she asked.

“Thirty minutes.”

“Good riddance.” Now that things were calmer, she took his hand and guided him toward the front desk, moving straight back into the office and out of sight. “We need to get you a key so you can unpack and settle in.”

“I’m good.”

“I know you want to check in with your team.”

He waved his phone. “This’ll do.” He braced his arms onthe desk while she pulled a lockbox out of the bottom drawer. “Afraid I’ll start making efficiency suggestions?”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she said, playing along. She opened the lockbox, found the key in a small brown envelope, and handed it over.

“Thank you.”

“If you don’t mind, I would like to check on a few things before the shift changes.”

“I get it.” He closed the office door and pulled her up and into his arms. “I’m greedy,” he said against her lips.

She wasn’t sure how long they kissed, only that she didn’t want to stop. “Rhett.” Her hands came to a rest over his heart.

“I know.” He wound a curl of her hair around his fingertips. “Gallo’s gone, so I don’t feel the need to hover quite so much. Bummer too. I was hoping to get a good punch in.”

She appreciated the sentiment. “Thank you for being willing to shadow me in a good way. And thanks for being willing to punch the smug right off his face.”

“Anytime.” His phone chimed. “Knox and the guys are at the Pelican. I can come pick you up when you’re ready?”

She grinned at him. “Harper already told me what time to meet her outside.”

He seemed relieved that she wouldn’t be traveling alone, even though Luca had left. She pushed up on her toes and gave him one last kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”

But time got away from her. She messaged Harper and told her to go on without her. She needed a few minutes to herself to change clothes and freshen up.

A notecard was tucked into the door. Not Rhett’s handwriting, but the message was from him: When you get to the Pelican, come meet me on the beach first. I have one more surprise.

He must’ve called from the pub and had someone at the desk bring it up. The man just wouldn’t quit with theromantic gestures. Still using her work phone, she sent him a text message and hurried out to meet her husband where their adventure had begun.

Logically, she knew the island wasn’t actually more colorful than when she’d left, but her newfound happiness painted everything in a brighter light. Golden evening sunlight coated the sky, trees, and the beach as she walked along the road toward the Pelican Pub. Nearby, the waves rolled up over the sand in a soothing rhythm and seagulls called to one another.

On cue, pelicans glided by, heading home to roost.

As she neared the beach access across the street from the pub, she recognized a few cars in the lot and knew a wonderful evening with friends awaited them. Yes, Harper was bound to give them a little grief for eloping, but it would be worth it.