Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“Shouldn’t you be more, ah, reluctant, given your first experience?”
“No, I can’t compare the two situations. With Kelsey, I was in a place in my life where I did things I thought I should. My friends were getting married. Having kids. She seemed to be perfect. I regretted it quickly, and it was only the news of—” He nodded toward the back seat “—that made me stay. But I knew it was a mistake and it wasn’t going to last. But with you, it feels so right.”
I huffed out a long breath. “One heck of a conversation for the drive home.”
He chuckled. “Okay, let’s change the subject. Will you go away with me next weekend?”
“Next weekend? But Mia has her sleepover,” I protested.
“I love the fact that your first thought is about Mia. But Holly is going to be there to help. She thought it would be good for Mia to have her there so she was more comfortable. And if Mia isn’t happy, Holly will take her and Angela home and keep her until we get back—we’re only going to be an hour away. I just want some time alone with you.”
“Where are we going?”
“Edgewater.”
“I love it there!”
“I know. I want to go with you.”
When I hesitated, he shook his head. “I have another trip planned to a place in Ontario for over the Thanksgiving weekend. Our family, plus Evan and his. Mia will love it. So she isn’t being slighted in any way.”
“You are amazing,” I breathed out.
“I can arrange the honeymoon too.”
I began to laugh. “How about we start with the weekend? You may change your mind. I do like to hog the bed.”
“And you snore. Part of your charm.” He linked our hands. “So, yes to the weekend with me?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll book it.”
“Okay.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SIMON
The next week was far more enjoyable. Amy came over three nights, using her office, but being around at bedtime and after. Mia and I loved having her there, and she admitted she liked being with us far more than at her apartment.
“When is your lease up?” I asked.
“July next year.”
“We need to look into sublets.”
“Simon—” she began, but I cut her off.
“Or I can pay your rent. Not an issue.”
She shook her head. “No, you cannot. That is not up for discussion.”
“I can afford it.”
“I assume you could if you made the offer, but once we decide on our future, I will figure out the apartment.”
I stopped arguing, knowing I was going to have to be crafty to come up with a solution. I changed the subject. “You ready for our weekend away?”
“Yes.” She smiled and curled up in the corner of the sofa. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“I reserved one of the cottages and booked dinner Friday night at that restaurant you said was good. We can decide about Saturday once we get there.”
She ran a hand through her hair, the wild curls springing back into place. “That sounds wonderful.”
I studied her. “You look tired, Chippy. I’m being selfish, aren’t I? Keeping you up late, wanting you around all the time.” I ran a finger down her cheek. “I should apologize and not do it again, but I don’t think I can.”
Amy smiled, resting her head on my hand. “I am tired today, but you aren’t doing anything. I want to be here as much as you want me here.”
“Good. But we’ll go to bed early tonight, and I want you to nap on the weekend. I have nothing major planned except time alone with you.”
Her lips quirked. “Nothing major? No sex marathons? How disappointing.”
I leaned close and kissed her. “That isn’t major for us. It’s normal. I am going to keep you naked and in bed as much as I can.”
“Good to know.”
Amy gazed out of the window, enraptured. I stood behind her, looping my arms around her waist and pulling her close.
“It’s breathtaking,” she observed.
The view was spectacular. Vast and wild. Nothing but ocean for miles, the movement of the water constant. The waves crashed against the bluff, the sound hypnotic and soothing.
“I only stayed in the hotel the time I came. I didn’t expect this.”
“This” was the honeymoon cottage, but I had booked it for us. Separate from the main hotel and other cottages on the property, it was totally private. Meals could be catered, brought directly to the cabin, or you could eat in the dining room. Champagne and a delicious-looking platter of snacks had been set out for us. Fresh flowers were in the rooms. A large fireplace, fluffy towels, and a big bed waited. An outdoor hot tub protected by a cedar gazebo sat outside the master bedroom. The view could be seen from all the windows, the place built to take full advantage of the offering.
We’d been greeted by the owners, Dylan and Alexis Maxwell. They were welcoming and courteous and had driven us over to the cottage in the golf cart, her chatting and friendly. She told us the story of the bluff and the cabin and how they met, Dylan adding a comment or two. He was from Toronto and had moved here the same as I did, although their meeting was far more interesting than Amy’s and mine, even though I was certain we were hearing the PG version. Dylan was quieter but still pleasant. It was obvious he adored his wife, by the way he looked at her, his stern countenance softening every time he did. It was much the same as the way Evan looked at Holly or I looked at Amy. I recognized the infatuated expression.