“If you’re having second thoughts, it’s okay to back out,” he says quietly. “I know we signed the paperwork, but we don’t have to do this.”
I raise a brow. “Are you having second thoughts?” I ask.
“Second...third...fourth.” His voice is low as he speaks candidly. “I haven’t thought this was a great idea from the start, but I don’t know how else to get Michelle and Savannah to back down and also appease Calvin to show him and the world I’m not some horny playboy who fucked around on his little girl.”
I chuckle at his assessment but it’s not really all that funny. “It just feels weird that no one’s here from my family,” I admit. “Won’t that look kind of strange?”
He shakes his head. “We take this family trip every year and we’re doing it as a surprise. Can’t we just spin it that we wanted to keep it secret so it was private for the two of us?”
“We can spin it however we want. I guess that’s the direction I was planning to go anyway,” I say, but his words are just another reminder that this is all for show.
A beat of quiet passes between us as he takes a sip of his beer, and then he says, “Thank you for all you’re doing for me. I just want you to know that you always have an out.”
“I know I do,” I say softly, and I think back to the contract the lawyer drew up. It protects his assets, obviously, but it also protects me. Luke specifically wanted it that way, and it was just one more thing about him that dropped him decidedly into the prince category.
The waiter comes by with some bread, and I keep my hands busy by tearing a piece into shreds. “Have you been to Hawaii before?” I ask, changing the subject.
He nods. “Savannah and I came here on our honeymoon. But not Maui. We went to Oahu.”
“What was that like?”
“Beautiful beaches, but a totally different pace than here. Maui seems more...I don’t know. Relaxing. We stayed in Honolulu and it just has more of a bustling city vibe even right there on the beach. The shopping, the hustle and bustle...that’s Savannah’s style.”
“What’s your vacation style?” I ask.
“I like a mix of adventure and relaxation.”
“What sort of adventure?”
He shrugs. “ATVs, snorkeling, scuba diving, ziplines, horseback riding. Any kind of tour where I can learn about the place I’m visiting. What’s your vacation style?”
“More the relaxing on the beach side, but I’m always up for an adventure. Not, like, adrenaline junkie stuff like ATVs and ziplines, and certainly not horseback riding, but tours or dinner cruises. I read about a submarine outing here in Maui and there’s this black beach I’d love to go check out,” I say.
“Why not horseback riding?” he asks.
I narrow my eyes and hold up my hands. “You’ve already started converting me into a football fan, but I have to put my foot down at horseback riding. I hate horses.”
He laughs. “Why?”
My cheeks heat. “I fell off one when I was younger. I guess I never got over the fear that he was going to trample me.”
His brows dip, and it’s a rare serious moment from the usually lighthearted girl I am. He reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “We don’t have to go horseback riding. There are plenty of other excursions we can plan before my family gets here.”
My heart twists as he inches his hand away from mine, but I pretend like I don’t feel it. “I’m sure excursions will provide some amazing backdrops for thirst traps, too,” I say, trying to err on the side of professional since if I don’t, I might just reveal how I’m starting to feel about this guy.
He chuckles. “We’re on vacation, babe. Let’s just have some fun.” He sips his beer, and I chug my wine, and goodness gracious I’m in a heap of trouble.
CHAPTER 12
His side of the bed is empty when I wake, and the bedroom of our suite is still dark thanks to the heavy curtains blocking out the sunlight. I brush my teeth and use the restroom and then I head off to find my fiancé.
The main living area of our suite is swathed in sunlight, and I spot Luke out on the balcony sitting in a chair with a cup of coffee as he stares out over the ocean. I snap a picture from inside. It might not be a thirst trap, but it’s an awfully gorgeous view as far as I’m concerned.
I grab my own cup of coffee from the little pot he made and join him out on the balcony. “Good morning,” I say as I push the slider door closed. I sit in the open chair beside him.
“Morning,” he says. His eyes are shaded by sunglasses.
“Sleep good?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Sure. You?”
“Yep.” I take a sip of coffee and wonder why things feel a little awkward between us this morning, but then I remember that we hardly know each other and maybe this is just him on vacation in the morning. “You ready for your family to get here?”
He chuckles. “No. Not at all. I’m grateful for the next two days we have of actual vacation before the family political matches begin.”
I’m quiet in response to that.
“It’ll be nice to see Kaylee,” he concedes. “A week is just a long time.”
“At least you have me,” I say with a big, cheesy grin, and he laughs.
“You’re right there. You’ve sort of slipped right into the slot of my best friend over the last few weeks.”
“Same goes for you, Hot Luke.” My eyes widen as I call him the nickname I usually reserve for my inner thoughts.
He glances at me but doesn’t say anything before returning his gaze to the water. I wish I knew what he was thinking, but I never know what he’s thinking.
I clear my throat awkwardly. His quiet demeanor and pensiveness are throwing me off this morning. “You wanna grab breakfast or something?” I finally ask.
Rather than answer my question, he poses one of his own. “Why are you marrying me?”
I turn to look at him, but he keeps his gaze focused out on the water.
I’m quiet a beat before I answer. “You’re giving me a place to live. You’re my boss. You’re a good guy, Luke, even though you pretend like you’re not. You’re my brother’s best friend. You’re becoming my best friend. My job is to help turn your image around, and I’m nothing if not dedicated to my work.”
And I’m falling in love with you and I think you’re falling for me, too, but you’re too scared to admit it so you’re pushing me away, but maybe over the next year I can make you see how right we are for each other.
I leave that last part out, obviously.
He presses his lips together and nods. “Thanks.”
I’m not sure exactly what he’s thanking me for—whether it’s my explanation or the fact that I’m going to go through with this marriage—but I say, “You’re welcome.”
“Do you want to just eat up here?” he asks. “Can’t beat the views.”
I don’t even need to glance out over the water where he’s looking. I keep my gaze trained on him instead. “You’re certainly right about that,” I murmur.