Page 23 of How to Say I Do
I took his hand. His fingers threaded through mine automatically. “Noël—” His eyes were gigantic, blue like the bottom of the ocean. “Noël, come meet my family. In fact, come with us tomorrow. Liam’s chartered a catamaran and we’re going snorkeling. Liam’s also got this giant swim trampoline booked, and we’re going to launch each other into the ocean from that thing. Jason, too. Jason’s favorite superhero is Spider-Man, so I want to make him feel like he’s flying.”
“Wyatt…” He stared at our hands, at where my thumb was rubbing circles over his knuckles. “You’re here with your family.”
“Well, now I’m here with you, too. I want Liam and Savannah to meet you. They’ll like you, I know they will. Please. Come with us?”
He stared at the waves. His expression was pinched, his face tight. “I’ll think about it.”
“We cast off at eleven a.m. at the marina. It’s going to be a great day, and it will be even better if you’re there.”
That was the end of dinner, and after a few more sips of champagne, I walked Noël up the beach. We were both quiet, and we walked a few feet apart, which was more space between us than there’d been since we’d met in Dallas. We’d been magnetized together, it seemed, and this extra space—normal-people space—felt wrong.
We stopped at his deck and turned toward each other. Palms swayed overhead. Floating candles bobbed in his plunge pool, next to floating rose petals and hyacinth blooms. It was a bewitching display of romance, and completely overwhelming to me. My dates always took place in the back seats of trucks and in motel rooms. Would I even know what to do with candlelight and beauty?
I was tipsy on Nebbiolo and champagne, and I had my hat in both hands, holding it in front of me like a shield.
Noël tried to smile. “I guess this is—”
“Don’t say goodbye.”
He looked past me, watching the waves churn.
“Noël…” A thousand words log-jammed in my mind.Come with us. Come withme. We’ve got something here, don’t we? This doesn’t have to end, not like this..Of course, I said none of that. No, what I did was far, far more revealing.
I kissed him.
On the cheek, a quick brush of my lips against his skin. Just one half-step forward, one of my hands landing on his hip. He turned into me as I moved, and his nose and his cheek slid along mine when I pulled back.
My heart was roaring. My hands were shaking. He stared at me, his eyes as bright as the stars. “I hope I see you tomorrow, Noël.”
CHAPTER6
Wyatt
It was11:05 a.m. at the marina, and Noël was nowhere in sight.
A couple hours earlier, Liam, Savannah, Jason, Savannah’s parents, and Savannah’s best friend, Trish, had arrived at the resort to high fanfare and much excitement. The resort had rolled out the red carpet the same way they’d welcomed Noël and me. I’d been waiting with the welcoming committee, and, of course, I’d been recognized in one second as half of the Bettancourt Honeymoon Party.
“Señor!” Luis, first class champagne attendant du jour, bustled over as soon as he saw me, pouring me a glass of bubbles. “Noamorwith you this morning?”
Oh, these were going to be tricky waters to navigate. “Mmm, no, not this morning. He’s resting.”
“Si,si,señor.” Luis topped off my champagne, but then seemed confused about why I was still hanging around. “Is there something I can help you with,señor?”
“I’m here for my brother.” According to Liam’s text, they were zipping along in the limo, Jason’s face pressed firmly to the window as Savannah and Trish downed morning margaritas courtesy of the fully stocked bar. Liam had sent me a picture of his breakfast Budweiser.
“The groom on his way?Señor, your family is blessed! Two happy marriages, so close together.” Luis topped off my champagne again and gave me a thumbs-up.
Then the limo arrived, and the welcoming party swung into gear. The festivities really got going when Jason came running through the front doors, sugared up on french toast and juice boxes and airplane cookies. He flew right into my arms—Luis deftly snagged my champagne glass before I spilled all over my nephew—and I swooped him up into a spinning hug as Liam and Savannah made their big petal-strewn entrance.
Like Noël, they were staying in a honeymooners’ villa, but on the opposite end of the horseshoe bay. I’dmmhmmedandooo’dandahhedlike I’d never seen such a romantic set-up. Yes, I said, I did think the rose petals on the bed were a gorgeous touch.
Now, a few hours later, we were at the marina, and I was watching the minutes tick by as we loaded our catamaran. I’d checked my phone so many times Liam had asked me what was up. “Nothing,” I said. “Just want to make sure we’re on time.”
“Then let’s get a move on, bro.” He grabbed the last cooler and climbed aboard.
11:06 a.m. No Noël.
Don’t be disappointed. He never promised he’d show up.In fact, he’d all but insisted he wouldn’t, adamant that he didn’t want to intrude, no matter how many times I’d tried to reassure him that he wouldn’t.
