Page 87 of The Bodyguard Affair
“Hop on,” Nolan says immediately, bending down. In one swift, practiced motion, he swoops me onto his back. I barely have time to react before he starts down the sandy path.
I rest my chin on his shoulder as we make our way toward the villa. “Was I really that bad at bocce ball?” I ask.
Nolan chuckles, adjusting his grip as he navigates the uneven ground. “Yes.”
“Ugh. It’s petty, but I really wanted to beat Hunter and Laine,” I admit.
“You’re allowed some pettiness. You’ve been handling this whole thing like a champ.”
“Honestly, it’s easier than I thought it would be,” I admit. “For a long time, it bothered me. I don’t like the way it happened, but I know they really tried to spare my feelings. It wasn’t perfect, but they tried.” I pause, my gaze drifting to the sky. “I always say love stories don’t have to end perfectly to be beautiful or worth telling. I’ve always liked books without those perfect epilogues. But something I’ve realized lately is that love doesn’thave to start perfectly, either. It doesn’t always come wrapped in a pretty package with a perfect bow.”
“That’s true.”
“Sometimes it’s messy, uneven, jagged. Something we can’t quite tamp down. It’s scary when it sneaks up on you when you least expect it, because it’s not something we can fully understand or control. It’s scary.” I pause. “Shit. Sorry. I’m rambling. I do that when I drink. I probably make zero sense right now.”
He chuckles softly beneath me. “No, you’re making perfect sense. It’s scary, sure. But still worth it, I think.”
“It is. It’s raw and real. And beautiful in its own messed-up way.”
Chapter 37
Nolan
After the beach, we finally get a chance to unwind and unpack for a couple hours before the non-wedding. We’ve been in our room for a total of twenty minutes and I’m officially nervous. I haven’t been this anxious around a woman in ages. I’m second-guessing, checking in the mirror.
As soon as we crossed the threshold into our room, the air shifted. Maybe it’s the afternoon humidity, but there’s always been an energy between us, and now it’s quadrupled. It’s like something has been unleashed. The anticipation of knowing things aren’t off-limits anymore.
As Andi unpacks and organizes her things ritualistically, I can barely take my eyes off her. When she disappears into the bathroom, I head onto the balcony for some air.
It’s private, on the corner of the building, with two cushioned chaises. To my left, the coastline stretches out like a giant,rocky puzzle waiting to be explored. Above me, the sky is a brilliant blue dotted with fluffy clouds.
When I turn on the resort Wi-Fi, my phone pings with a message from Emma.
Em:Huge news. Mom’s house sold!!
Em:Well, kind of.
I knew it was officially going on the market today. But I never would have guessed things would move that quickly.
Nolan:What?
Em:It was on the market for half a day and it got three offers OVER ASKING PRICE. Hallie has given them 24 hours to put in their best offer. It’s a bidding war!! So exciting!
Nolan:Whoa. That’s amazing. Keep me posted.
I’m still reeling from the news when Andi comes onto the balcony.
“What’s up?” she asks from behind me. I spin around to find her glowing, her skin tinted peach from the sun. She’s put on a bikini. A small one, with very little fabric, to be precise—not that I’m complaining.
“There’s a bidding war on my mom’s house,” I tell her, barely able to look away from her. The way the strings of the bikini bottoms hug the small of her waist.
Her eyes widen. “Holy crap. Already?”
I nod, explaining how we got three offers on the first day.
She doesn’t jump for joy, or react. Her soft gaze just roams my face, like she’s trying to read me. “How do you feel about it?”
“I feel…bittersweet, I guess. Em and I have lost hours of sleep worrying about how we’d pay for Mom’s care at such an expensive facility. But it’s sad in a lot of ways, making this transition. It feels like admitting defeat, realizing that Emma and I don’t have the ability to take care of Mom. Knowing her health is declining too rapidly for us to manage.”
