Page 111 of The Accidental Honeymoon

“Absolutely amazing.” I glance at Jay and he grins. “Jay came with me and we spent every minute I wasn’t filming eating amazing food. The gumbo and trout almondine wereto die for.”

Jay adds, “And the pastries. They made these fresh beignets that were so good. I definitely gained five pounds.”

“That’s not so bad. You’re so skinny!” my aunt Chloe chimes in. “Somebody better pass the rice over here. Jay needs another helping.”

“I’m still stuffed from the trip!” Jay catches my eye and gives me a small, reassuring smile. It’s the kind of smile that says, "We’ve got this.”

"Jay," my grandmother calls from the far end of the table. "When am I going to get great-grandchildren?”

The entire table falls silent, all eyes shifting to Jay. It’snot the first time he’s been asked about babies. In fact, I’m sure it’s not the first timetoday. There are no boundaries in my family.

“Yiayia,” I reply sweetly. “Please. Give us a few years before you start demanding children.”

“What if I don’t have a few years?” my grandmother asks archly.

Cora cuts in. “Are you kidding? The women in our family live to be well over a hundred. We have time.”

Jay holds up a hand. “Actually…” He looks at me, raising a brow. I feel my cheeks heat. “We’re planning to start trying sometime in the next six months.”

The table erupts in joyful exclamations and congratulations. My mother clasps her hands to her chest. My father beams. Even my usually cynical older sister looks pleased.

"We haven't even talked about a timeline," I say to him, low enough so it seems private.

He leans back from the table, beckons to me behind Wren’s back, and then whispers in my ear. "I'm not worried about it. I just wanted your family to know that I'm all in. As soon as you're ready, you can go off your birth control and we can start trying. In the meantime? Plenty of practice."

I blush, the heat rushing to my cheeks, and kiss him softly. The gesture feels more natural than I expect, like slipping into a familiar routine. My entire family catcalls us, which makes me blush even deeper.

I search his eyes for some indication of what he's really thinking. But all I see is the same calm confidence he always projects.

As the night wears on, the meal is cleared away. My father gets out the Tavli board and he and my uncle get a game going. While Wren and I wash dishes and joke aboutknow-it-all men, my father starts a low conversation with my husband. I watch from my spot in the kitchen, my curiosity piqued as I wonder what advice or warnings Dad might be imparting. Is he telling Jay about the time he proposed to my mother? Or is he cautioning Jay about the challenges of being married to someone as stubborn as me?

Jay laughs, the sound rich and beautiful as the rosewood Tavli board.

It’s amazing to me how seamlessly he has fit into my world. The way he interacts with my family, the stories he tells, even the affectionate touches. Now I’m actually Mrs. Rustin.

Don’t tell my family that – they still believe in the woman’s keeping her own surname. But I’m beyond excited. A new last name to go with my new life.

forty-one

CALLA

The town squareis electric with excitement as we prepare for the pet adoption fair. The grassy center of the square is crowned by its iconic gazebo, aka our wedding site. It’s already dotted with colorful tents and tables.

My husband and I are both in our element here. We work seamlessly together as we unload boxes from the back of his SUV. I steal a glance at him.

My husband. It still feels unreal. A giddy feeling rushes through me. Married life really does suit us. It always did.

"Don't squish the cupcakes," I remind him. “That’s delicate cargo.” I eye the box in his hands. Each cupcake is decorated with little fondant paw prints for the animal adoption event. A true labor of love from my bakery.

"Would I ever?" Jay feigns hurt. "These are practically your children."

"They are." I cross my arms and give him a playful glare. "You better handle them with the same care."

"Like I handle you?" He waggles his eyebrows.

“Are you kidding? You’re forever trying to get me dirty.”I smirk. “Let’s hope you’re not going to do the same thing to the cupcakes.”

Jay grins. His tall, dark, and gorgeous self towers over me. "When have I ever squished a cupcake?"

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