Page 62 of Island Whispers

“Maybe.”

Their wedding had been a much smaller affair, if only because it came together quickly. Turned out, the big event she’d dreamed of—complete with a floral extravaganza—paled in comparison to the reality of exchanging vows with her soulmate.

Nina wasn’t ashamed of being pregnant before she married Boone, but she was glad they had pulled off the wedding before she started showing. For so many reasons. And her husband—she loved that word—was right: The day had been a perfect start for their marriage.

She was even happier that her friend Haley had flown in to help Molly and Nina with the wedding flowers. All of their talents and artistry had been on display that day, and many of the pictures had gone straight into their individual portfolios.

Her mother and Lila had informed her that the island grapevine claimed Nina and Boone were a love-at-first sight romance story. She figured that was one thing the grapevine got right, even if the first sighting had been weeks before he came to Brookwell.

Boone had been the fantasy lurking deep in her heart, the yearning she’d been too afraid to share with anyone else. Now, sharing her life with him got better day by day.

“You need to own it,” he said, breaking into her thoughts.

“I probably shouldn’t get quite so much satisfaction from stirring up envy.”

“In your industry you should classify it as marketing.”

“Leave it to you to put a positive spin on the dark side of my performance motivation.”

He chuckled. “Come on. You know you're the nice one in this partnership.”

Partnership. She squeezed Boone’s hand. How incredible to have a partner in life. Growing up, her parents had framed their marriage as a partnership and she knew Jess and Nash did as well. Both couples were an inspiration. And in these early days of marriage, she often revisited what she’d learned from the example of her parents.

“Oh look at that!” She pointed to the dance floor as the music changed and her dad took her mom out for that unique Southern shuffle locally known as the shag.

“Your parents are really good,” Boone observed.

“They really are.” Nina sighed. “Look at Mom’s face. Whenever they dance, you can see how they fell in love.”

“How much they still are,” Boone murmured.

“Exactly.” She felt the baby move and smiled. “Mom and Dad would dance during beach bonfires and cookouts. Long before the Brookwell music festival began.”

“They really are a great couple and the best of in-laws.”

She grinned. He always knew just how to melt her heart. “They love you.”

“It’s awesome.” He squeezed her shoulder. “My parents would love you too.”

She enjoyed the dancing couples, the variations and individual flare they put into their steps. “We need to find a way to make sure our kids know your parents.”

He shot her a look. “Kids? You’re already planning on more?”

“Ha.” Although it was easy to imagine. “We should be so blessed. Maybe I just slipped up and told you we're having twins.”

She giggled when the color drained from his face. “Come on.” She bumped his knee. “You were there when they did the ultrasound. Just one baby this round for us.”

“Do twins run in your family?”

She tsked at him. “That’s a question you should’ve asked before the vows. I feel no obligation to reveal any genealogy secrets at this point.”

He chuckled and draped an arm around her shoulders. They continued to sit together, content with each other while the guests partied throughout the ballroom and out in the courtyard.

Jess and Nash were dancing, their steps so smooth it looked as if they were floating. When Jess twirled into Nash, Nina thought her heart might burst from happiness. “They are too damn cute.”

“We’re cuter,” Boone insisted. “So tell me more about twins and more kids.”

She shook her head. “My point was how can we help this baby and any others we have know your parents?”

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