Page 14 of The Bride's Secret

“Oh, a seeecret. Well, if we’re keeping secrets, I won’t tell you mine then.”

“You have a secret?” His interest peaked in spite of himself.

“I do. Several.” She inspected her nails, a small smile on her lips.

He lifted his computer back open. “I’ll share mine if you share yours…” He lifted an eyebrow, waiting.

“Maybe.” Her slight shoulder lift intrigued him. The vulnerability in her face had always drawn him in, igniting all his protective instincts.

He snapped the laptop shut. “So, dinner?”

She stood. “Let’s go to the Tiki bar and grille. They are supposed to have amazing shrimp.”

He joined her. “Done. Then fireworks, a movie…”

“And pineapple ice cream.”

Sounded like dinner with his little sister. Perfect. He told himself it was perfect. Even though his heart wanted so much more.

Chapter 8

Carisa walked beside Wyatt on their way down to dinner, his tall and wide form nearly eclipsing her own. His strength comforted her. Everything about him was a life force for her right now. He thought her so strong, but if he hadn’t come with her, she wasn’t sure she would have been brave enough. No. She would have. She was in the middle of security at the airport, determined to see it through. Having him around just made her escape more like a secret vacation and less like exhile.

Heath had been texting. She answered every now and then. Her mother got the full story before she worked out. Heath hadn’t accepted her decision yet. He was still in full on talk her out of it mode. They could get married in secret, privately. Any time she was ready, he’d jump all over that. He acted like they were still a thing and that she just needed time. She’d have to give him kudos for incredible patience.

They entered the Tiki Bar and Grille and were seated immediately at a high counter size table. A huge platter of shrimp and two loaves of hot bread were immediately placed before them.

“Now this, I can get behind. Thank you.” Wyatt smiled at their waitress who immediately fell in love. Carisa watched her bat her eyelashes and lean seductively towards him whenever he spoke.

They ordered full plates of fresh seafood and dug into the shrimp and bread.

Starving after her workout, she hardly talked while she buttered her bread and filled her plate. Wyatt too seemed intent to fill his belly. But after a few minutes, he picked up a shrimp with his fingers. “I bet I can toss this in your mouth.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You are not throwing that at my face. It’s totally greasy.” Heath had taught her one very important lesson. She didn’t need to cave for anyone.

“Okay then.” He tossed it high and caught it with his own mouth. “Some of us are just more coordinated than others.”

“Well now, hold on.” Her competitive fire ignited. “You tossing it is one thing, me catching it is quite another.”

He shrugged, his eyes lighting. “Show me.”

She knew she fell for his manipulations but she didn’t care. She shrugged out of her wrap, she shoulders enjoying the cool breeze off the water. “Hit me with your best shot.”

“Did you just que the music because suddenly the nineties is blaring in my ear.”

“Very funny.” She beckoned to his shrimp with her fingers. “Send one my way.”

He tossed it high and slow and she caught it easily, bowing to his soft clapping. “Well done Angel Fire.”

“Angel fire?”

“Sure. It’s perfect.”

She wasn’t sure what to think about his nickname. A part of her smiled inside at the familiarity. Equal parts torn between keeping things incredibly platonic between them or flirting just enough, she probably came across as conflicted. But she was conflicted. Wyatt was the most incredible man she’d ever spent time with. For years she had been searching for someone just like him and had given up hope. Heath had been attentive and good to her, successful and charming so she’d assumed he might be the closest thing, but Wyatt, he was a whole different breed of male.

How could she ever expect to start anything real or valuable with him? Their circumstances made the likelihood all but impossible. And if they gave into what she was recognizing as mutual attraction, they’d leave feeling like they’d let the other one down. Sadly, the best man she was ever likely to meet was off the table. So what harm could there be in some innocent flirting? “Your turn.” She held up a shrimp.

He eyed her with suspicion. “I see a vixen glint in your eye. You aren’t planning to pelt it at my face are you?”

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