Page 91 of Kiss the Bride

“I asked you a question and thought you were taking your time to respond. When I looked over, you were asleep.”

“Where did you sleep?”

“I figured I’d only wake you if I carried you inside, so I took the bed.” No guilt. Mitchel’s famous sense of entitlement demands he take the best accommodation on offer. The idea of staying with me on the daybed, like Hunter had, or setting up camp in one of the uncomfortable single chairs wouldn’t have occurred to him.

“So, we’ve got a few hours, what have you got planned?” I smile. “Other than a second coffee.”

“I’m glad you asked.” Mitch winks mysteriously before going inside and returning with a glossy white bag with red rope handles. “Something for you to get changed into before we head down to the beach.”

“Didn’t we spend most of yesterday on the beach?”

“Olivia, you wanted to come here. That’s all there is to do on this island. Beach, beach, and more boring beach. If you wanted action, we should have gone to Europe or South Africa.”

“Fine, I’ll get changed. Let me drink my coffee first.”

My phone died at some point yesterday afternoon. Not that I want to read any more texts from Hunter, and I assume my friends only want to know if I’ve made up my mind yet.No, Tash. Hunter is not yours yet. I need a sign. Some meteor hurtling to earth, forcing me to decide in a split second about who will be my last kiss.

Mitch keeps looking nervously at his phone.

“Problems at the office?”

“No.”

“Plans for here?”

“Leave it alone and stop trying to control me.” There’s the snapping Mitch I don’t miss.

“Trying to be helpful.”

“Then go in and get changed. We’ve got to be on the beach in half an hour.”

“Why?”

“Damn it, Olivia. You want romance, then let me organize the bloody romance for you. Stop trying to ruin everything with your micromanaging questions.”

Wow. I don’t deserve his outburst, then again, I hadn’t deserved the last three years of outbursts. Life with Mitchel has always been hard work and compromise over another compromise.

“Sorry, Mitch, I’ll get ready as quickly as possible.”

“Do what you can with your hair and makeup. There might be photos.”

“Um, all my stuff is either at the girls’ villa or with Hunter.”

He inspects my bed hair with the judgment of a Vogue editor before huffing, “I guess you’ll do.”

“Thanks.”

Really? He doesn’t want to be seen with me until I’ve gotten made up? His request seems even more outlandish when I open the bag. A white bathing suit that probably costs a month’s mortgage plus a sheer white jacket overcoat. The fabric glides through my fingers and is incredibly soft, sensual, and perfect. I would never have expected this from Mitchel. Hunter, yes. He’d always loved to drape fabric over and off my body. But Mitch wanted me to have a designer look on a shoestring budget—unless I paid.

I shake my head and try to finger through my hair, deciding it would be better to quickly shower and wash my hair. Allowing it to dry naturally in the humidity might be the best look for whatever photos Mitch has in mind. Perhaps a photoshoot for us to remember this last day? That would make sense.

I can do it, one more activity with Mitchel, the last of my promised 24 hours. Then I’ll be able to walk away with no regrets, pending a meteor striking in the next hour. Mitchel has given me his best, and while it has been a perfect twenty-four hours, Mitchel is no longer my perfect man.

Rinsing out the conditioner, I feel a sense of relief and resolve. Whether Hunter and I have a future together or not, my future cannot be with Mitch. This last week has proven I want laughter and fun, not hard work and angst.

Jess and Tash will be concerned, and maybe a little annoyed. But if they truly care about me, then they will support whatever I decide. Even better, I don’t care that Lina is drowning her sorrows with some random guy which Mitch took great pride in telling me at some point during the night. He thought I’d find comfort in knowing that Lina has moved on—and is no longer a threat.

I never considered Lina a threat—until she was.

---