Page 54 of Her Greatest Adventure

It happened out of nowhere, but I care about her deeply, in a different way than before. In a way that goes far beyond friendship and responsibility. I want her to be happy always, even if it means I have to turn my skin wrinkled from spending hours in the ocean with her to do it.

Things are changing so quickly between us, yet it feels so natural. Sure, our marriage and Adalyn’s list might have pressed fast forward on it in some way, but it doesn’t feel wrong. What happened between us on that beach felt too good to be anything but right.

The thought of flying home when this is all said and done and not having her beside me on a daily basis drops a rock in my gut. I feel possessive of her. Jealous of everyone who gets to share her time with me. Angry at anyone who’s ever made her sad.

We still have time to plan for what comes next, but I’m beginning to wonder if an annulment is the right move. Is it bad to be curious about if this could actually work between us? Fuck. I’m in way over my head here.I need to slow down.

Subconsciously, I rub my ring finger and tuck those thoughts away to deal with later.

“Don’t tell me you’re not hungry after complaining about it the entire way here,” Adalyn says, pointing her straw accusingly at me across the table.

The cheeseburger in front of me is untouched, with only a few fries missing from my plate. It’s just a normal food choice, but after spending the past few weeks trying different types of food, I was craving something boring and familiar.

“I’m trying to savour it,” I reply, deadpan.

She rolls those beautiful blue eyes and fights back a smile. “Savour a burger? Who are you?”

I stare pointedly at her plate, at the few bites missing. “Looks like you’re doing the same.”

“I’m trying to not shove my face full the way I want to with the table of girls watching us,” she sighs. Glancing at the two teenagers a few tables away, she paints on a smile and waves. “We’ve done so good at not being recognized only for our streak to be ruined at a bistro in France. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Do you want to say hi to them?”

“Is it rude of me to say no?”

I shake my head. “You don’t owe them anything.”

She eats a french fry. “I’ve enjoyed just being a normal person with you. I haven’t been missing checking my social media a million times a day and posting photos that I don’t really care about. I’ve just been Addie the person with you, not Adalyn Hutton the social figure. But I guess it couldn’t last forever.”

My chest tightens at the genuine sadness in her eyes as she shrugs and takes a sip from her straw. Without thinking twice about it, I reach across the table and cover her hand with mine, rubbing her tattoo with my thumb.

“I hope you know that you are more than what you portray to others. If they had any idea how incredible you were . . .” I swallow. “You’re always Addie the person. To me and everyone who deserves a spot in your life.”

Something warm fills her stare as she nods slowly and flips our hands, intertwining our fingers.

“I can see now why everyone wants to be your friend.”

“Why’s that?”

“You always know what to say. And I feel safe with you, like I’m sure you’ll always be here to protect me. Am I wrong?”

I can’t look away from her as I reply, “No. You’re not wrong.”

“I might not be able to protect you to the same degree, but I’d try. Small but mighty are my middle names.” She winks.

I chuckle. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“How about you take a bite of your burger, and I’ll take one of mine.”

“Deal.”

“On three?”

She grips her burger and brings it in front of her mouth. I do the same with mine.

“On three.”

“One,” she says.

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