Page 14 of Island Guardian (Brookwell Island #7)

Chapter Nine

Holding Rhett’s hand was a big step. Amazingly, it brought Trina great comfort. She never would’ve expected the patience and compassion he’d shown her. And if she occasionally imagined a flare of heat in his gaze, no one could blame her for a fleeting fantasy.

Because it was all fantasy.

She was about to walk in and plan a real wedding for a pretend romance. And she was remarkably okay with it. Anything to escape the relentless push toward Luca. She tugged her thoughts away from that dangerous precipice.

An eager bride shouldn’t meet the best consultant in the business with a shadow of grief lurking in her eyes.

“We’re doing great, right?” she queried as they strolled down the hallway. Her goal was finding the sweet spot between clingy and aloof.

“We’re the picture of happiness.”

His assurance meant more than he would probably ever realize. If he’d needed to smooth anything over, he had done it so flawlessly she hadn’t noticed.

“You’re the best ally,” she murmured. “I appreciate it.”

“After this meeting, word will spread pretty quickly about our wedding,” Rhett warned. He’d paused just outside Ilsa’s office.

Startled, she shot him a questioning look.

“Oh no,” he understood her concern immediately. “Ilsa isn’t a gossip. I prepped an all-staff email to send as soon as the details are decided. I just want you to be ready.”

“I will be.” She would not let his extraordinary effort be in vain. Nervous as she was, she was committed to this path as the best way out of an unbearable union.

Near the door, Trina heard a woman speaking. “I need you to take a breath and sit down.”

Trina glanced again at Rhett, caught him smiling.

“That’s it,” the woman continued. “I’m counting on you to be a good girl.”

Rhett leaned close and Trina felt a little shiver. Not fear, anticipation. She was becoming way too infatuated with her fake groom.

“Are you afraid of dogs?” he whispered.

She shook her head. Someday she hoped to have a dog of her own. “The wedding planner has a dog?”

“The best dog,” he said with such an endearing smile, her heart fluttered.

Excited about meeting Ilsa’s dog, Trina edged closer to the doorway. Rhett rapped his knuckles on the open door and a pitiful whiny wail was the response.

Trina couldn’t see the dog yet, just the wedding planner’s eye roll. “Yes, Annie. Your buddy is here,” Ilsa said. “Please, come in.”

Rhett released Trina, going straight for the dog who was wiggling like mad behind the desk. He dropped to a knee and an immediate mutual love fest commenced as the two friends greeted each other .

The woman stood, reaching across the desk to shake Trina’s hand. “Welcome. Trina, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Ilsa. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The wedding planner was about the same height as Trina and just as curvy. With blue eyes and straight brown hair swept back into a sleek tail, she put Trina in mind of the typical American girl next door—just a bit more mature.

“And you.” Trina grinned. “Your dog is adorable.”

“If she’s a problem, I can corral her. She adores Rhett.”

“Seems mutual,” Trina observed, completely enchanted by the burly white dog with tan spots. Her ears were laid back as she leaned into Rhett’s attention. Trina struggled to contain her laughter as Rhett carried on. She’d never seen him quite so silly.

“You two go ahead and plan,” Rhett said from the floor. “Whatever Trina wants is fine with me. I’ll keep Annie busy.”

“Annie is it? She’s such a beauty.”

Ilsa beamed. “Thank you. She’s my partner in everything. She doesn’t come in every day, but she’s been missing Rhett. He was confident you wouldn’t mind.”

Rhett rolled to his feet and stuck his hand in a jar up on a shelf. He pulled out a treat and gave it to Annie. Clearly the two had a system. “Once we decide on rings, I’ll let the two of you hash out the rest of the details. Maybe Annie and I can go for a walk?”

The hope was obvious in his voice and on his face. He looked like a little kid.

“You really should get your own.”

The deep voice right behind her gave Trina a start. She hadn’t realized anyone else had joined them. She caught the concern on Rhett’s face and schooled her own features into something cheerful.

“Hello,” she said .

Rhett popped to his feet. “Trina, this is Max, Ilsa’s husband.” He came to stand beside her, without crowding her personal space.

“Not the same Max who owns the gym you enjoy?” she asked with her best welcoming smile. He stood almost as tall as Rhett, his brown hair brushed back, revealing a dashing gray at the temples. His green eyes were sharp and she could feel him cataloguing every detail.

“The very same,” Max confirmed, extending his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Trina. And congratulations to you both.”

There was a hint of a question in there, but Rhett glossed right over it. “Thanks! We’re super happy.”

“I can see that,” Max said. “Why don’t we take Annie with us,” Max suggested. “Rhett and I can catch up and give you space to debate lilies and roses.”

Ilsa laughed. “That works. Rhett would like to decide on the rings first.”

“Want me to step out?” Max asked Trina.

“Not at all.” She was curious about the velvet boxes lined up on the desk.

She had a fondness for jewelry. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you’ve pulled all of this together so quickly,” she said, smiling at Rhett.

Not only was she impressed, she was genuinely happy with the minor miracles he kept delivering.

“Let’s look over here in the sunlight.” Ilsa carried the boxes over to a round bistro-style table situated in front of a wide window. “Have a seat.”

She swept aside the sheers, letting the bright Florida sunshine pour through the glass. Sitting across from Trina, she opened the boxes one by one.

Trina gasped as the gems inside sparkled and gleamed in the light.

“Oh, my,” she breathed, more than a little awestruck.

Her hand pressed to her racing heart. More words were impossible as she admired the selection of classic diamond solitaires, two emeralds, a gorgeous ruby, and a round opal nestled in a setting of diamonds.

“So many choices,” she managed after a long moment. How had he pulled this together with zero notice? His connections around town were remarkable.

“If none of these suit you,” Rhett began.

“Oh no!” She bounced a little in her seat. “I already have a favorite.” Smiling at Ilsa she added, “How on earth did you know what to show me?”

“Can I guess which one?” Rhett asked before Ilsa could respond. He was practically humming with all the excited anticipation of a kid at Christmas.

He pressed a little closer, his arm draping loosely around her shoulders. She wasn’t sure how she managed not to stiffen up within his embrace. He was so good about putting her at ease and projecting the happy-couple image they needed people to see.

To her shock, he plucked the opal out of the box, and offered it to her.

Every step they took in this charade felt more and more real. Made her want it to be real.

“It’s this one. Right?”

She stared at him, marveling at his ability to play the role of doting fiancé.

How had he figured her out? “Yes.” Her voice cracked on the lone syllable.

She cleared her throat, summoning a smile.

“I’ve always been partial to opals.” But she didn’t wear them often.

The pendant and earrings she had were handed down from Nonna and she was exceedingly cautious with them.

“Your grandmother’s influence?”

“Yes,” she repeated. She was warm and tingly all over. Good thing she was sitting down because she wouldn’t have so far to fall if she fainted.

Rhett was grinning at Ilsa. “I knew it. ”

“You did,” she praised.

How? It wouldn’t be right to ask him here. Was it a simple case of keeping your enemies close? Still, it was hard to imagine Rhett Ellington studying her so closely in any context.

Holding the ring, he reached for her hand. She didn’t flinch or pull away. Didn’t even feel the urge.

“Trina Bollani, will you be my wife?”

The ring hovered right there at the tip of her finger as he waited for her response. At last, she managed a quick nod, a murmured “yes”. Overcome, her eyes misted as the gold band slipped down the length of her finger. A perfect fit. One more detail he had mysteriously gotten correct.

She felt a tear spill over her lashes and blotted it away before a flood followed.

Tonight, alone in bed, she could privately grieve that this would likely be the only proposal in her life.

And just as he promised, he made it memorable.

Before she realized what she’d done, she stood and threw her arms around him as gratitude and something indefinable welled up inside her.

Remembering where they were, she pulled back and wiggled her finger, letting the opal and the halo of diamonds wink and shine. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

Catching his gaze, she knew he understood the full depth of those brief words.

Because he was right. About all of it. They would need to carry on this charade long enough to convince her parents to stop interfering with her life. Whether that was a few months or a full year, she needed Rhett’s support and protection.

Then it would be a quiet divorce.

After that, she was on her own. Looking ahead, she worried she might never forget him or be willing to move on with someone else. But that was a problem for future-Trina.

At the other side of the table, Ilsa sniffled. “You two. My goodness.” She fanned her face. “I admit, I was startled to see Rhett’s email, but now I understand.” Tapping her fingertips together, she said, “Shall we plan the perfect instant wedding for you?”

Rhett brushed a kiss to Trina’s cheek. “Please do.” His gaze locked with hers. “Whatever suits you will be exactly what I want.” Shifting his attention to Ilsa, he said, “I’ll let Max save me from the particulars.”

“What a groom-move,” Ilsa joked. “Go on.”