Page 82 of For the Promise

Chapter 26

“This is scarier than riding the rollercoaster at Mermaid Mystical Gardens backwards without a harness.” ~ Blossom

Blossom

Icuddle into the warmth surrounding me and inhale a deep breath. Ocean and whiskey. I’m addicted to the smell. And I’m becoming addicted to the man who carries the smell.

Too bad this all ends on Monday. My stomach sours but I ignore it. If I only have one more day with Jaxon, I’m not using the time to throw myself a pity party. I’m going to enjoy my last day with him.

Hold on. Why does today have to be our last day together? Why can’t our relationship continue?

Yes, we agreed the marriage was fake when we said our vows on Friday. But I didn’t expect to spend two nights getting sweaty in the sheets with Jaxon either. Maybe things have changed.

They certainly have for me. Before Friday, I was pissed at Jaxon for ghosting me. I’m no longer pissed.

Nope. I’m the idiot who’s falling hard and fast for her fake husband. But who can blame me? He literally punched Alan to defend me. I would have never guessed my nerdy whiskey maker knew how to break someone’s nose. Let alone that he’d actually break one at a wedding for me.

Jaxon kisses my ear. “What are you thinking so hard about?”

My stomach tingles at how gravelly his voice is in the morning. I want more of these mornings. But does he? Will he choose me, pick me? And do I have the courage to ask him?

“Not thinking. Just enjoying the morning.” I guess I’m short on courage this morning.

“Liar. You always twirl a finger in your hair when you’re thinking.”

My hand freezes from where I am, in fact, twirling my hair.

“I don’t always twirl my hair when I’m thinking.”

He snorts. “I’ve watched you for the past months. I know you.”

I rotate my body until I’m facing him. “You watched me? You ghosted me is more accurate.”

He drops his chin but not before I notice the flush on his cheeks. “I thought it was for the best.”

“For the best?” My brow wrinkles. How could ghosting someone ever be for the best?

“You’re not on the island to stay. Mainlanders never stay.”

“Mainlander?” I rear back. “I’m an islander now. I built a life here. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know. But I didn’t a few months ago.”

“Let me get this straight. You ghosted me because you thought I was only on Smuggler’s Hideaway temporarily?”

“Yes.”

“Liar.”

His chin lifts and he glares at me. “I’m not lying.”

“You certainly weren’t telling the truth.”

His eyes narrow on me. “Yes, I was.”

“Okay. Prove it. Stare me in the eyes and tell me you ghosted me because you thought I was on the island temporarily.”

His blue eyes gaze into mine. Shit. Was he telling the truth?

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