Page 58 of Perfectly Wedded

Vale clears his throat, and when they still don’t stop kissing, he leaps into the water, landing a cannonball next to his brother.

“Hey!” Brax immediately pulls away and wipes the water from his face.

Vale surfaces with a wicked smile. “Oops, did I do that?”

Brax pushes water at Vale, but he only dodges it and splashes his brother back.

“Stop acting like a bunch of immature boys,” Jaz says, even though she knows they can’t stop their competitive natures, especially when it’s all in fun.

Vale waves to me. “Jump in.”

I hesitate, looking at my sister who’s hanging on to Brax like he’s her personal life preserver. They look so happy together, and a twinge of jealousy twists inside me. That’s exactly what I want with Vale.

“You need help getting in?” Vale asks, pulling my gaze back to him. “You can jump in or I can throw you in. Your choice.”

“Those are my only two options?”

“Unless you want me to help you down like your sister.”

I think of Brax’s hands gripping her waist, the way their bodies slid together as one.Definitely not that option.

I shake my head and stir one toe in the water before Vale swims over. His brow furrows into a creased line. “How can I help?”

I shake my head. He’s always asking this. He’s so thoughtful, almosttoothoughtful, and sometimes it drives me crazy. Every time he offers help, it makes me feel like I should be ableto handle things on my own. I need to learn to rely on myself, not always lean on someone else.

He places a hand on my foot to get my attention. “You’re only making things worse taking it slow. Jumping in is like leaping off a cliff. Once you start, there’s no turning back. It’s scary at first, but thrilling once you’re in the air.”

Normally I’m an all-in kind of gal, rushing into things without thinking, like getting married without considering the consequences. But today, I’m thinking too much. About last night. How I wanted Vale desperately. How I wanted to dive headfirst into love, recklessly, completely, without reservation.

But today, I’m running scared. It’s easier to dodge hard things than face them head-on. That’s why I couldn’t confront Anthony after our relationship fell apart. Part of me couldn’t face the truth—that I wasn’t enough for him once I had something “wrong” with me. He rejected me, and when someone walks away, I can’t let them back in. Same with my dad. He was always looking for something better after Mom died. First with my stepmom. And then when he grew tired of her, he walked away from us too. Because someone better always comes along.

That’s what I’m afraid will happen with Vale. He’ll find someone better, and when he does, I won’t be able to come back from that. I’ll be hollow, lost, no longer able to risk everything on someone who might leave me in the end.

“The longer you wait, the less believable this looks,” Vale says as Brax and Jaz swim away from us.

Jaz is getting her own private snorkeling lesson, while I’m hesitating on the sidelines. A shriek, then a giggle erupts from Jaz. She glances over and yells, “Come on, you guys! This is so fun!” Then she wraps her arms around Brax’s neck and he spins her in the water. They might as well be starring in a commercial for honeymooning in Cancun.

“Are you afraid?” Vale asks, his voice lower.

I scoff. “Hardly.”

“Then what is it?” he says, still holding on to the sideof the Jet Ski, like he’s not letting it go while I’m on it. “Because you’ve been a little standoffish. Like a wet cat.”

“That’s a very unpleasant comparison,” I huff, even if it’s true. “You mean you don’t remember last night?”

He blinks. “Of course I remember last night.”

I guess if I’m going to pick off the scab, I might as well do it now. “You left me, Vale. I basically invited you into my bed and you chose the couch over me.”

“Wait.” He shakes his head once and closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Let me get this straight. You told me I should never sleep in the bedroom. I heard that message loud and clear. Then you got a little frisky in the pillow fight and gave me your bedroom eyes. And you’re mad at me for keeping my word?”

I scoff. “I didnotgive you bedroom eyes!”

“You totally did! And then you dropped the bomb of ‘keeping up the charade.’ Don’t you think I wanted to sleep there? Even with the pillow wall between us, it’s better than sleeping on a couch. Anything with you is better than alone.”

His words feel like a loud drum beating against my chest.Anything with you is better than alone.

“Then why did you leave?” I narrow my eyes, still not understanding even though he’s already said it.

---