Page 29 of Kiss the Bride

“Liv, it’s okay,” I whisper again, focusing on her instead of the person tapping on her system and sorting out our swipe cards. “I’ll talk to everyone back home, and I’ll make sure the people here understand. I promise.”

“Miss Woodgrove had hoped that this holiday will be a chance to undergo a relationship detox.” I know when to pull out the private school vowels. “I’m here at her parents’ request to make sure she isn’t bothered and is afforded every service your resort offers.”

“Of course, Mr. Williams.”

“I paid for the original holiday. Any further expenses can be referred to me. Neither Miss Woodgrove nor Mr. Hazel need be bothered by such trivia.”

“Yes, Mr. Williams.”

“Miss Woodgrove has asked not to be disturbed. Divert all messages to this number,” I hand over my card. “Consider herrequests a priority. Can you do that, or should I find another island?”

“Certainly, Mr. Williams. I apologize again. It won’t happen again. We’ve moved you to a two-bedroom villa.”

“Babe, Liv,” I pull Olivia to her feet. She looks as exhausted as I feel. If I don’t get us both to a bed within the next few minutes, they’ll need to stretcher us. “Come on, let’s get you to your room so you can sleep.”

“What about you? Aren’t you staying?” She looked up in a panic. “Please don’t leave me.”

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere. At least, not unless you kick me off the island.”

“Hunter?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“Will it always hurt this bad?”

“No, but it will probably get worse before it gets better.”

I rarely hate being right, but when Olivia’s initial reaction to the romantic villa reduces her to a sobbing mess, I would have cut off my right arm to be wrong.

“Hey, sweetheart, let’s get you into bed. You need sleep, and rest.” Even though she doesn’t make a joke about me wanting to get her into bed, she allows me to pull down the blanket, take off her shoes and tuck her into the larger room’s bed. When she tugs at my hand, I can’t bring myself to leave her, sitting on the side and stroking her blonde hair until her heaving sobs turn into heavy breaths, and gradually calm until she falls into a deep sleep.

I love this woman. Watching her sleep, her fingers clasped tightly around my thumb, I don’t have the energy or will to deny it or pretend otherwise.

It takes over an hour before she rolls over, releasing her grip and allowing me to do … what? I’m in one of the most romantic and beautiful places in Australia, and the only thing I want to do is watch Olivia sleep and be here if she needs me.

Creepy much?

I force myself to leave her room, and make myself at home on the private balcony. Hopefully, Olivia will sleep for most of the day. We can get room service twenty-four hours a day, so no matter what time she wakes, we can order food before taking a walk along the beautiful beaches.

We can walk and talk, or we can walk while she processes. But first, Liv needs sleep and I promised to let people know. Personally, I’d rather fire a floor of staff than make these calls. So, I take the coward’s way out and text. Then again, who calls these days? If it’s not written, it didn’t happen. I start with Liv’s best friend.

Hunter: Liv is on a relationship detox at the same place she was going to have a honeymoon. I’m with her and will look out for her. She isn’t up for talking, but will post online at least once a day.

Jess immediately responds.

Jess: What should I tell everyone? Lina is a mess. Pete is beyond angry and perhaps Mitchel has a black eye that he didn’t wake up with yesterday.

Hunter: Police?

Jess: Called but no one is pressing charges

Hunter: Tell Pete that if the other one doesn’t get blackened I’ll do it myself when I get back

Jess: How is she?

Hunter: How’d you reckon

Jess: Don’t do anything stupid

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