Page 24 of Kiss the Bride

“I thought we’d agreed it was a technology detox?”

“How about I give you a choice?” I tease, feeling a flicker of our old banter.

“I’m listening.” With a defiant hand on her hip, Olivia winks at the shop assistant. “Let’s hope he has something to say.”

“Technology or clothes?”

“You know I can’t live without my phone.”

“Oh, well,” I sigh dramatically, making the shop assistant giggle. “If you want to give up clothes, who am I to argue?”

“Don’t worry, Hunt.” Liv blows me a kiss. “You can use one of my bras as a blindfold so you won’t have to see a thing.”

By the time we leave the store, the cashier is singing my praises, Liv is laughing, and it’s time to board our plane. If only I could convince my body that this isn’t a honeymoon and that nothing can happen with Liv. We had our chance, and I blew it.

Rachel: This is Olivia’s mum. I got your number from your mum. Please let me know she’s with you and that you’ll look after her. I know how she feels and want nothing more than to be there for my baby. But if you are looking after her, at least let me know she’s not alone. Rachel

Fuck.

It’s two am and I don’t know what Olivia wants me to say or do. Her mother’s message has only just come through and if anyone knows how Liv feels, it’s her mother. Sitting upright on a couch in the coffee shop of the Cairns casino with a sleeping Liv curled against me, I won’t be getting any sleep tonight, but Mrs. Woodgrove will get less.

To text or call? She’s given me the cold shoulder ever since I broke up with her daughter. Understandable, but will that make it easier or more difficult knowing Liv is with me?

It takes almost an hour for me to compose the short message. Damn it, she can read into it whatever she wants.

Hunter:Liv is asleep. It’s been a rough day. I’ll try and get her to call you tomorrow.

So far, Liv has woken twice, looking up at me as if confused, before curling back against me and going back to sleep. Once, she woke, crying, but settled when I assured her that I’m not going anywhere.

With every tear she sheds, I want to jump on the first flight back home just to teach Mitch a lesson, but I need to put my feelings aside and focus on her.

Support her.

Cherish and love her enough until we can figure out what comes next—and if next includes anus.

Second Chance at Life

Olivia

I wake up inthe bustling casino coffee shop, blinking against the harsh lights and still groggy after yesterday’s debacle of a wedding that never was. I stretch my neck and inhale Hunter’s familiar cologne, before sitting upright.

“Are we really doing this?” I look around, trying to get my bearings. “We’re going on my honeymoon?”

“Yep.” Hunter chuckles and bumps my shoulder as if we are five. “Although I think we’d better find another name for it other than your honeymoon.”

“Mmm, I don’t know.” I pretend to think before offering, “What about calling it my Relationship Detox?”

“Sounds better than you going on your honeymoon with the best man. To be honest, it makes me feel like I’m the one who ruined your wedding.”

“I don’t want to be anyone’s victim, so detox it is.” I stifle a yawn and look around for a waitress to order coffee.

Without me complaining about aching muscles, Hunter turns me until he can rub my shoulders while I stretch my neck and get feeling back into my arms. “I didn’t want to wake you after the flight, and there were no hotel rooms available.”

“It’s not the craziest place I’ve slept in with you.” My head is throbbing with the need for water and coffee, but don’t want to leave the safety of his arms. “How long until our flight?”

He brushes strands of hair from my eyes and waves to a waitress who nods. “You know how there was never a problem that your daddy’s platinum couldn’t solve?”

I cringe at memories. “You used to call me Daddy’s Little Platinum Princess.”

---