Page 42 of Grand Escape

“No need for a white dress or church. She’s got kids, and we’ve both got exes. Nah, I think we’ll do it here. Like an all-night rave but in dress clothes.”

“Chew ... why not get divorced first.” Andrew strutted back in wearing swim trunks and no shirt. Snagging a margarita, he asked, “Anyone want to hot tub?”

I shook my head. “No suit.”

“Cool. There’s some dude barbecuing outside. Grab food when you like. Hang, chill, do what you want,” he said, giving us a wink before he headed outside.

To Chewy, I said, “Any chance you would annul the marriage with ...”

“Ron,” Chewy said, filling in.

“Right, Ron.”

“Nah, she deserves something. The house we picked out.”

“If you want to part with it.”

“I just want her to vamoose, you know?” Chewy looked at me for approval.

“Hey, I don’t know from experience, but I am in charge of getting people what they want out of a settlement.”

“Well, all I want is out.”

“Then give her the house and get out. Wouldn’t be my recommendation, but hey, I can’t deny a man love.”

“Thanks, man.” Getting the advice he’d wanted, Chewy took another sip of his margarita, then wandered outside.

A song by Jimmy James played through the speakers, and I caught Rylan shaking her hips.

“Food?” I asked her, taking a margarita for myself now that we were alone.

“I was wondering if you were going to try my hard work.”

“Delicious,” I said over the salted rim.

She poured herself a glass of white wine and moved toward me.

I circled Rylan with my free arm. “This is a bit odd. Here we are, left to our own devices.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Never.” My lips brushed the top of her head.

“They wanted you to see the amazing house they rented. People are very proud of their vacation rentals.”

“Well, I saw, but honestly, I’m partial to my villa at the Grand. Let’s eat and go see it.”

Rylan squinted at me. “I don’t mean to burst your bubble, but I’ve seen those villas before.”

“Not mine,” I said while tucking her into my side and walking out the back patio doors to an expansive deck.

With a pristine beach and the ocean spread in front of us, we stared at the horizon, drank cocktails, and eventually ate. Grant entertained us with a story of a business trip to Dubai. Andrew hardly left the hot tub, and Danny was out for the count. Poor Chewy drank in the corner and texted Sarah.

A short while later, Rylan and I said our good-byes.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Dubai,” Rylan said as she climbed into the Jeep.

“It does have some magical appeal, but for me, I don’t know.” I gave her a sly look. “I seem to have fallen for the Caymans.”

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