Page 147 of Too Far

“We’re married in name only, Decker. I’m with them,” I remind him, bringing my coffee to my lips.

He grits his teeth and grips his mug until his knuckles pale. “I’m well aware of that.”

I bet he is. The Den may be soundproofed, but I also may have noticed the door was left cracked open last night, and I didn’t bother to say anything.

“This isn’t how this works. You can’t just tell me where to go or whisk me away like I belong to you.”

“The guys know about my plan.”

I frown. “They do?”

I take a sip of my coffee, savoring the warmth all the way down as I swallow.

“It’s your choice, Josephine. Would you like to spend the day with me?”

His words surprise me—the very un-Decker-like offer and the acknowledgment that I have a choice.

“Where would we go?” I hedge, fully expecting him to withhold information.

Instead, he simply offers, “The beach.”

I perk up just a fraction. “Really?”

A day at the beach—the sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun—sounds absolutely lovely. I’d prefer to go with all my guys, but I highly doubt that’s part of Decker’s plan.

Sitting a little straighter, Decker makes his case.

“I want to take you to the same place we went before. I have a buddy out that way who confirmed the roads are passable. According to him, that stretch of beach was untouched.”

“And if I say no?” I ask, my heart rate picking up its pace, readying for another battle.

He examines me, his jaw ticking all the while, likely formulating his next haughty scolding.

Once again, I’m knocked back by his response. “I’ll spend the day packing and closing up the house. Then we can head back to the isle first thing tomorrow.”

I roll my lips, fighting back a smile, ignoring the little flicker of warmth in my belly. “Okay,” I concede.

He squints, like he’s searching for a lie. Or maybe he’s expecting me to pull the rug out from under him. “Okay?”

His surprise is further proof that he still doesn’t get it. I’m not the combative, obstinate thorn in his side he thinks I am. All I want is a choice.

“Okay,” I repeat, standing up and smiling. “Let’s go to the beach.”

Chapter 65

Josephine

It’sbetterthanIremembered. Soft, lush sand. The brilliant warmth from the sun.

Sure, it’s significantly colder than the last time we were here, but the temperature doesn’t take away from the beauty of the place or the contentment that washes over me like the waves lapping along the shore.

Decker carries all our things, which is ridiculous, because I have arms, too. He also packed like our whole crew is here rather than just the two of us.

The car ride was surprisingly painless. It turns out we have similar taste in music, something I didn’t know until today.

Decker didn’t make any of the expected remarks when I queued up my favorite playlist, which Hunter has jokingly named my Sad Ohio Girl Songs. I can’t help it if I have taste, while her preferences sound like a remix of theBarbiesoundtrack.

I watch wordlessly as Decker works to set up our spot, shifting from hip to hip, sinking a little deeper into the sand with each movement. Awkwardness sinks in as I observe him quietly, but I’m determined to be noncombative today, so I don’t dare offer to help.