Page 135 of The Vacation Mix-Up
I poke him in the ribs. “Riley!”
“What? You don’t!”
Snuggling into him, an unusual calmness settles over me as I gaze out over the misty lagoon toward Mount Þorbjörn, the volcanic landscape eerily beautiful. “Do we have to leave? Can we not just stay here like this?”
“And let your Mom sail away without us?”
My stomach tightens.
Mom!
Bile rises to my throat, and I swallow heavily. I know I need to lay her to rest; it’s what she wanted. But I don’t know how I’m going to get through it, to finally sever that tie and let go of the only part of her I have left.
But… I must.
It’s time.
Resting my head on his shoulder, I close my eyes. “I’m booking her interment for tomorrow.”
His arms tighten around me, and it’s the only response I need.
chapter twenty
RILEY
“What the fuck have you done to my hair?” I call out from the bathroom. “I could be Bart Simpson’s long-lost brother.”
“Bart never had a brother.” Riles peeks her head around the door and stifles a laugh with her hand. “Oooh… I warned you.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t believe you.”
“That’s your fault, not mine.” She slips in front of me, runs her delicate fingers over my face, and giggles. “But your skin is incredibly smooth and divine.”
I growl, clench her ass, and lift her onto the sink. “Want to know what else is incredibly smooth and divine?”
What the fuck, Wilson? Why would you say that?
I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I’m like a horny teenager, saying stupid sexual shit every time Riles speaks. It’s embarrassing, and I need to stop.
She flicks the waistband of my sweats.
Hello! Maybe not.
“You need to shower and take care of that.”
I cup my junk and adjust myself. “I do.”
Fuck me, I can’t help myself.
“Notthat!” She slaps my chest and slides off the vanity to her feet. “Your hair.”
What I really need to do is take care of both.
“I’m just going to head out for a minute.” She scruffs the matted, wiry mess on my head then kisses my cheek. “I’ll be back by the time you’re done.”
Smiling like a kid in a candy store, I lean back and watch her leave, uncharacteristically agreeing with Ben. I am a lucky son of a bitch, and I can’t remember the last time I was this happy. After my life went to shit, I was convinced I might never be this happy again and that second chances at love didn’t exist. Not that I love Riles, but I mean, I could… one day. And just knowing that’s possible is fucking awesome.
I grip my hair, and it crunches between my fingertips, so I carefully let it go then sniff my arm, the stench of sulfur wrinkling my nose. Visiting the Blue Lagoon with Riles was one of the best experiences of my life, and had it not been for her, I would never have even tried it. She makes me want to try new things, to explore possibilities, and to let go of what’s held me back and made me bitter and angry. It’s refreshing and liberating, and for the first time in a long time, I feel whole again. Optimistic and absolved.
