Page 22 of Momcom Vacation

Before I can force them back, tears well in my eyes.

“You’re spiraling.” Liv pulls a tissue from the box on the end table. “Dylan, get the crystals. It’s a code red.”

“On it.” Our redheaded friend leaps off the couch and disappears.

“I told you to pick a vibrator last night.” Shay shakes her head, frowning.

I dab at my eyes with the tissue Liv offers. “You did. You’re frighteningly relaxed right now. Have you even checked to be sure Kai took his vitamins this morning?”

Shay tips her glass and drains the rest of her swamp sludge, smiling serenely.

“Sweetie,” Liv says. “Don’t do this. Don’t catastrophize. You’ve been busy. Your life has changed so much in the last couple of years. You’ve come so far.”

Dylan bounces back into the room with a velvet satchel. “This works best if you’re naked.”

I cringe.

“But a bathing suit will do. How about you change and pack a beach bag? Then we can go down to the water and talk. You can throw rocks like last time while I burn some cleansing sage. Howdoes that sound? We all know you find acts of aggression to be soothing.”

Frowning, I scrutinize her. Her red hair is piled up wildly on her head as always, but the twinkle in her golden eyes is more pronounced than usual. Dylan is always up to something. But we’re already here, and it’s not like I’m making any progress on my own. What harm could it do?

“Okay,” I grumble. “Give me five minutes.”

“Pack a hat,” Dylan calls after me.

“Where are we going?”As we crest the dune that separates the house from the deep-water dock, my heart leaps into my throat.

“Enzo?”

He’s standing on the weathered boards, wearing swim trunks and a T-shirt, looking like a tall, dark, and delicious snack. His skin is already tan, bastard, and he’s wearing a wide smile.

“What did you do?” I growl at Dylan.

This is supposed to be a girls’ weekend. We’re supposed to be decentering from men and recharging.

Dylan skips happily toward the dock, waving at Enzo. “Delivered as promised.”

“You set this up?”

She shakes her head, red curls flying in all directions. “Oh no. The universe did this. I just took you on a walk.”

I squeeze my eyes closed, and when I open them again and take in my boyfriend, my stomach flips. It happens every time I see him.

“Come here, gorgeous.” He opens his arms wide, inviting me in.

Without hesitation, I pounce on him and pull him down for an indecent kiss. “I missed you.”

“Not as much as I’ve missed you.” He runs a hand down my ponytail and gives it a little tug. “I know this is a surprise and you hate surprises. But I was wondering if you’d like to go sailing with me.”

On instinct, my body arches toward him, craving the closeness that has been missing for so long.

“If you’re here,” I ask. “Where are the kids?”

“At the caretaker’s house,” he explains. “Beckett kidnapped the whole family and flew us down here. We’ve been hiding.”

A wave of annoyance washes over me. Not for Enzo, but for the mastermind behind this plan. “Liv is going to murder him.”

“Oh, I know. The twins have placed bets. They’re playing with the kids, and Cortney’s with them, so I thought we could spend some time alone.”

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