Page 32 of Anchored Love
Everly seemed content with her hand in mine, probably because the focus was off us for the time being. Which was fine with me, but I didn't have to pretend when it came to Ev. It was all happening.
After the blow up of her mom getting all heated about us yesterday, I had to share the sentiment. It was nice not to be under everyone’s scrutiny. Drake and Kelsey were probably still sleeping since it was now officially their honeymoon. Lucky. Being in bed with Ev right now sounded much better than being here.
Casey wasn’t letting go of the fight. To me it showed how much he loved Jess. “What about when we have kids, Jess? Will they take your name or mine? This is important. I don’t know how you feel about any of these things. I don’t know why you can’t marry me.”
“Why are you being like this?” Jess fiddled with her napkin.
Casey turned fully to her. “I don’t know; after the conversation yesterday and the wedding. Kelsey announcing the baby. It got me thinking, you know. Why aren’t we married? We should be able to exchange rings and make it legal. What’s holding you back, babe? Don’t you love me?”
“Casey, now isn’t the time for this.” She huffed, cheeks glowing crimson, eyes darting around the table. “I don’t want to do this right now. Stop pressuring me.”
“You love each other, so what’s the problem,” Jane Lynn interjected. “Jess, you love Casey?”
“Yes, Mother. I do, but that has nothing to do with the ritual of making all these stupid promises and spending all this money for a piece of paper. That paper doesn’t change anything.” She shoved her chair back and stomped off with Casey running after her.
“Really, Jane. You couldn’t let it go. It’s vacation, and this trip is about Kelsey and Drake; not Jess and Casey. You really don’t know when to let things go sometimes,” Herbert said as we watched their departing backs.
Jane Lynn turned to him. “Why are you on my case? It’s true. If she loves Casey, she should suck it up and make it official. What’s holding her back? And he’s right; when they have kids, what will she do? I know she considers herself a feminist power woman hear her roar or whatever, but that doesn’t mean she can just ignore the sanctity of marriage.”
“Environmentalist.” Herbert chuckled and unfolded the napkin in his lap, bringing it to his mouth. “She cares about the environment.”
“Well, it’s true—they live in sin, and she needs to think these crazy notions of hers through. If they have kids, I don’t want people thinking of my grandkids as bastards.”
Everly gasped as Herbert stood. “I think I’ve lost my appetite. If the two of you will excuse me.” He gave Everly and me a nod, leaving the table.
“Way to clear the table, Mom,” Everly noted and sipped her orange juice.
“Oh, don’t you start with me too. I still haven't forgotten that you two thought you could play me.” Jane Lynn’s fork clattered against her plate as her chair scooted back. “You’re both lying. I need some fresh air.” Jane Lynn then took off, leaving just the two of us, which I much preferred.
Everly sat there quiet for a few minutes, chewing her food slowly before swallowing. “Well, that was fun. Aren’t you so glad you came?” Her gaze met mine.
I squeezed her hand. “Actually yeah, I am.” I leaned in and kissed her bare shoulder. Goose bumps pebbled over her skin. I wondered where else I could affect her.
“Mason… You do know my mom is gone; you don’t have to keep up pretending,” she said, but didn’t move from me.
“Did you not listen last night, Ev? Was there some other woman in bed with me? Some other woman who kissed me for nearly an hour, if not longer?” Her cheeks bloomed a pale shade of pink.
“No,” she whispered.
“Just go with it. Cut loose, and let’s have fun. We can enjoy this time we have left without any expectations. You want me to back off, just say the word, but you should know I plan on kissing you a lot. Any damn time I want to.”
“Oh really?” Her lip tipped.
“Watch and see.” I tapped the tip of her nose.
Her head shook as she laughed. “I think you might be crazy.”
“Have fun with me. Forget your mom and whatever she thinks is happening between us. This isn’t about anyone else but us. We’re here on this ship and have two full days left. Why not see what happens?”
“Mason… I … we work together.”
“Don’t make lame excuses. This isn’t Idaho. Unless you lied, and you truly think I’m a terrible kisser.”
She chuckled. “No. it isn’t that. But I don’t know. I don’t want things to be awkward between us after.”
“Let’s worry about the after later. That’s a problem for future us, right?”
She smiled huge, and I knew she was giving in. Even if it was only for a moment she belonged to me for the duration of the trip, and I wasn’t going to blow that opportunity.
