Page 30

Pact Number Two

One year later

I was nearing the end of my romance novel (I had forgiven Parker Bristow at long last) when I looked up to see Kyle approaching in the distance, surfboard under her arm, bathing suit outlining her athletic form and more quite nicely.

Wailea Beach in Maui had proven itself to be one of the most beautiful places I’d ever visited. Beyond the lavish resorts and amazing restaurants, the island served up the most breathtaking sunsets I could ever imagine, and I now had the opportunity to enjoy them with my wife. Happy sigh. I was a doctor’s wife. Even better, I was Kyle’s.

“How was your shred session? Isn’t that what all the cool kids call it?”

“Why don’t you hop on a board and find out?”

“You know, I’ve tried and am awful at it. I much prefer to drink fruity cocktails and watch you out there. Objectifying you in a swimsuit on a board might be the favorite thing that I’ve ever done. Want to move here?”

She laughed wryly because the topic of where we’d reside had been a key discussion lately. Kyle had been offered a position at MUSC Health Hospital back in Charleston, which was too prestigious to pass up. We’d decided to divide our time between the city and Dreamer’s Bay, especially since my new job offered me flexibility. I could work from almost anywhere for the nonprofit organization I’d set up to reach out to people dealing with chronic pain, find little ways to make their lives easier. It was all new, but I was passionately invested. None of it would have been possible without the money from Faber’s estate. My vow to put as much good into the world as Faber had bad was still at the top of my goal sheet. In a surprise to no one, Jonathan was handling the financials and doing so pro bono.

“I don’t know about moving permanently, but you could certainly open up one of your fabulous Airbnbs here.” I had five now and worked hard to be the best host in the land. The little thrill I got from a positive online review kept me going the rest of the week, almost like the high from finding out Chipotle didn’t charge me for my guac upgrade. The little things mattered.

I lit up. “You know, that’s not an awful idea. That would give us a very solid reason to come back. The water is so blue here. It’s like the gorgeous color of your eyes.”

She placed a hand on her hip. “Look at you, the smooth talker today.”

“I just happen to love you more than even parking spots that open up right in front of the store.”

“Wow. And I love you more than a lull in ER admits.”

“I really feel that one.” I enjoyed this game we played and the constants we’d established in our relationship. I especially loved how I never could get enough of Kyle, and that didn’t just extend to sex. I loved her mind, her patience, her humor, and the long talks we had after work each day. I took her hand and pulled her down to me in my chair.

“Careful. You’re about to get wet,” Kyle said, laughing. She wasn’t wrong. She was still dripping. “But I do like the idea of you that way,” she said with a wink.

I leveled her a pretend glare. “You never behave.”

She nuzzled my neck. “Do you want me to?”

“Not in the slightest.” She found my lips and kissed me, doing just as she’d warned, getting my dry suit all wet. I didn’t mind. We were on our official honeymoon and had certainly spent a lot of it in our oversized king at the resort. It was shaping up to be a sexy honeymoon to remember. I’d never been happier or more myself.

I wrapped my arms around her waist. “You want to take a walk at sunset to that section of the beach that’s supposed to have the most beautiful view?”

“If you’re going, yes, I definitely do. Sold.”

“Speaking of sunsets, I also want to show you the preliminary shots the photographer sent over from the wedding. There’s one of us exchanging vows as the sun is setting between us.”

“Really?” Her mouth fell open. “They’re here already?”

“Mm-hmm. Some framers in there.”

“Because you were the most beautiful bride ever.”

“We’re going to continue arguing that point until the end of time because I know of another.” Our wedding day had honestly been the best day of my life. We’d gotten married in Bountiful Park in an outdoor ceremony attended by half the town. Kyle’s parents, who are too smart and quiet and sweet to be believed, flew in for the week. Jonathan walked me down the aisle, and I even snuck in a dance with Jake, who’d beamed with pride, always asserting that we were still family. He was a keeper.

Early that evening, I put on a red sundress with little yellow flowers and waited for Kyle to join me for our sunset walk to dinner. She’d selected a royal blue strappy dress, slightly longer than mine. Her hair was down and full of sexy beach waves. How did I get so lucky? I asked myself this daily. But according to Kyle, she asked herself the same thing about me, which was…baffling, but awesome.

When we got to the stretch of beach known for its gorgeous views, we slipped out of our shoes and went barefoot. Our feet sank into the soft, warm sand. I took a deep breath of the salty air mixed with the sweet scent of the tropical flowers.

“Look at her,” Kyle said reverently, as she studied the sky that very much resembled a painting in which the artist had swirled the oranges, pinks, and purples. “Sometimes I can’t believe any of this is real.” Her voice was soft, almost lost in the gentle rush of waves. “You know, I didn’t realize anything was fully missing from my life. Until I met you.”

“For me, it was different. I think I was always searching for this person who I just knew was out there somewhere, who would step into my life and make everything finally feel complete.”

“And?” she asked with a beautiful smile and hopeful arch of her brow.

I squeezed her hand. “When you walked into my life, or rather down that hotel hallway, it was like someone turned the lights on. I thank God for you every day, and that’s not an exaggeration. You’re my dream come true, my answered prayer.” We shared a quiet smile, so much love passing between us. Just days ago, we’d been married in front of our family and friends, but this felt like the true celebration. Just the two of us in our own little paradise.

I released her hand and stepped into the water, the coolness of the ocean enveloping my ankles. I reached for Kyle, who’d been silhouetted by the waning sun. “Come here.”

She took my hand and joined me in the water, just in time for a wave to crash too close to the shoreline, splashing us aggressively. We laughed and looked down, our legs now soaked. “Well, this is not ideal,” I said, shaking my head while still enjoying every second. “Do you think they’ll still let us into dinner?”

“We have time to dry off first,” Kyle said, wiping her eyes from laughter. Once we’d moved a safe distance away, she wrapped her arms around my waist from behind and rested her chin on my shoulder. I leaned back into her warmth, realizing I could stay right there in that spot forever.

“You’re my greatest adventure,” she murmured as we watched the sun dip lower in the sky, staying right where we were until the last sliver disappeared. They’d been right about that view. I’d never watched a more breathtaking display.

I turned in her arms. “Before we go, let’s make a promise. No matter what obstacles life tosses on our path, we’ll always do our best to get back to this feeling—this moment, this love. To right here.”

“You have my word,” Kyle said, her eyes sparkling with sincerity.

“You have mine, too.”

She leaned down and kissed me, and in that instant, I knew that whatever came next for us, we would take it on together. Our future was full of so many possibilities, boundless and stretched out before us like the endless sea. “Let’s go,” I said, giving her hand a tug. “I hear a fancy dinner awaits, and I want to stare at my wife some more.”

Kyle tilted her head and grinned. “Well, your wish is my command.”

The stars twinkled overhead as we stepped off of that beach and into the next chapter. Together.