Page 3 of The Paradise Plan

“Yes, thegal-la,” Cass said, really playing out the last syllable.They laughed together again, and then Cass started toward the hall that led to the master bedroom.“See you in the morning, Bea.”

“Night, Cass.”

Cass went into the master suite.West sat in the recliner in the reading nook, the lamp behind him providing the light he needed for the puzzles and games he did in a booklet.

“How was it?”he asked, looking over his shoulder at her.

Cass bent her head to take out her earrings.She exhaled as she tossed them onto her dresser.“Really fun,” she said.

“And Stacy?”

Cass stepped out of her shoes.“Not a fit.”She pushed her hands through her hair and tried to shrug off the weight of the world.She unbelted her dress and walked over to West.“Unzip me, hon.”

She bent down and he reached up, and the zipper slid down.West let his hands linger on her waist, and Cass sank onto his lap and wrapped her arms around her husband’s shoulders.

“Talk to me, sweetheart.”

Cass stared toward the closed bedroom door, not really focused on anything.“I want to start planning a vacation,” she said.

“All right,” West drawled, and Cass loved that he didn’t question her.“Mountains?Beach?Do I need to check my passport expiration date?”

Cass looked down at him, her love for him swelling.“Do you want to leave the country?”He wouldn’t have to check his passport.His job required him to keep it current, as he traveled for work.She thought of what June would be like once he’d retired, as his paperwork was all turned in now.

“No,” West said with a gorgeous smile, his deep voice sending a thrum through her body.“But I think you do.”

“I just want…” Cass couldn’t finish, because she couldn’t say she wanted to go back in time eight months and reset everything.She leaned down and touched her mouth to West’s.“You.”

He kissed her, and Cass let her discontent melt away as she kissed her husband.As long as he didn’t leave, Cass would be fine.