Page 138 of See You Next Month

She stole a glance at Kelsey and thought of the picture she’d taken on their first trip all those months ago. Kelsey had no idea how beautiful she was and Isabella pointed that out when she later showed her the picture. Isabella’s heart was full. This is what it was supposed to feel like all along. Being in love with Kelsey gave her a sense of totality. Their love was absolute. She knew in her heart that they were supposed to live this life together. The feeling of searching and wondering was over.

Kelsey kissed the back of Isabella’s hand. “I feel like we’re walking down this beach with a kind of shield of love surrounding us and it feels so damn good.”

“Like you’re protected?”

“Yes, our love will protect us from anything anyone wants to throw at us,” Kelsey said.

“Spencer thought he was my protector and I finally made him understand I didn’t need anyone to protect me. But now, I think I know what you mean. Loving you gives me a kind of strength I didn’t have before because I know you’re with me.”

“I suppose this is like the honeymoon phase,” Kelsey said. “But I can’t imagine not feeling your love in my heart and what it does to me. It’s hard to explain.”

“You don’t have to explain,” Isabella said. “I get it. I feel it, too.”

Kelsey stopped and turned to Isabella. “We may have to change some things to keep coming back here every month.”

Isabella smiled. “It will be much easier because I don’t have to say ‘see you next month’ anymore.”

Kelsey sighed and led them back towards the others. “God, I know. I felt like I was leaving a part of myself in Charlotte each month. At first I didn’t understand it, but it didn’t take long to figure it out.”

“Hey!” Carmen yelled to them and waved.

“What’s wrong?” Isabella asked as they walked up to her.

“The website is full of positive comments,” Carmen said. “People want to book trips to Coral Bay and come to Honeymoon Beach.”

“How about that,” Riley said with a grin. “That’s what we’ve wanted them to do all along.”

“It sounds like sharing your story was a great idea,” Sylvie said.

“I remember when you came to Peaches the first time,” Liz said. “I could see the spark between you two that day.”

“Oh, I remember,” Isabella said. “You made me think about the possibilities.”

Liz chuckled. “And look what happened.”

“Isabella pulled me onto the dance floor and I didn’t know it then, but it was the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received,” Kelsey said, taking Isabella in her arms and twirling her in a circle.

“I hope you’ll be back for Christmas,” Alex said. “We’d love for you to spend it with us again.”

Memories of last Christmas on Honeymoon Beach and dancing with Kelsey at Peaches flooded Isabella’s brain and her heart. This wasn’t only what love was supposed to feel like—this is what being married was supposed to feel like. A smile grew on her face as she said, “I think we should do the wedding trip this Christmas.”

Kelsey raised her eyebrows. “I guess we could. We don’t have it planned for a specific month yet.”

“Are you going to have an actual couple get married or just show your followers the options?” Riley asked.

“I know a couple who could get married here this Christmas,” Isabella said.

Kelsey turned to her and widened her eyes when Isabella sank to one knee.

Isabella grinned and took Kelsey’s hand in both of hers. “This is where we first met and I found my best friend,” Isabella began. “We connected so quickly and so deeply. It was like you knew me from the beginning. When I realized what I felt was more than friendship, it didn’t freak me out that you were a woman. My heart said thank God you’re gay because then what would I have done.”

There were chuckles as well as gasps heard around them.

“All this time I had this idea of what love and marriage were supposed to feel like, but I was wrong. My heart knew and when I finally listened, look what it gave me. I’ve found my person.” Isabella took a deep breath. “I don’t want to just be your girl, Kels. I want to be your wife. Will you marry me?”

Kelsey dropped to the sand and took Isabella’s face into her hands.

“You know I’m the spontaneous one,” Isabella said with tears in her eyes.

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