Charlotte
The moment weexit the private plane Winston arranged to take us to Mexico, I breathe a sigh of relief.
The air is warm and smells of the sea. The wind whips my hair into complete disarray and I wish I would’ve put it in a ponytail.
But I can’t complain. We’re away from New York and Bishop’s Landing. Away from our families and the threat of Seamus. The wedding and all the planning that came with it is finally over, and I’m glad.
So glad.
I know all of this is temporary, but I need the escape. I need to rest and relax and forget about my troubles at least for a little while. I know they’ll all be waiting for me when we return home, but for now?
I want to banish them from my thoughts and enjoy my honeymoon. Even if my husband is acting standoffish this morning. Since we woke up, he hasn’t said much. I blame it on him being tired. Yesterday was exhausting, both mentally and physically. Or maybe he’s still wound up over Seamus showing up at the reception. I know if the tables were turned, I would be.
Somehow, I need to convince my husband that he can trust me. That’s where a nice, relaxing, hopefully sex-filled honeymoon comes into play.
There’s a car waiting for us that Perry’s brother arranged and we’re escorted to it immediately, the cool air-conditioning wrapping all around us as we settle onto the soft leather seats. We wait in the idling car as our luggage is loaded into the trunk and I cast a quick glance at my husband.
He’s not paying attention to me in the least. Too busy tapping away on his phone, his brows lowered in seeming concentration. Or anger.
I can’t really tell.
Deciding I can play this game, I pull my phone out of my bag to check if I have any messages. There’s only one.
From my new sister-in-law.
Tinsley:Hope you have fun in Mexico! Winston asked me to pick out clothes for your trip. I hope you like them.
After the message is a string of winking-faced emojis, which tells me that the majority of the clothes she chose for me are probably sexy.
Before last night, I would’ve been nervous at the prospect. But now…
Now I know Perry is aroused by me. I may as well flaunt it if I’ve got it, right?
Yes. Right.
I send Tinsley a quick text.
Me:Thank you so much for doing that! I can’t wait to see what you chose.
I then send her a string of heart emojis.
It means so much to me, how kind she is. How open and accepting. I need that right now.
Desperately.
“Who are you texting?”
I glance up to find Perry watching me, his gaze wary despite the nonchalant tone. He’s trying to play it cool, but I can tell he’s suspicious.
“Your sister,” I tell him, stashing my phone into my bag. “Tinsley.”
He doesn’t reply, but the relief on his face is evident and he averts his head, gazing out the window.
We don’t say anything else during the car ride, and when we finally pull into the resort’s driveway, I’m dying for actual conversation. Though I refuse to be the one who starts it.
Instead, I focus on the beautiful resort. The lush green lawn and the palm trees swaying with the breeze. The shimmering ocean just beyond the sprawling buildings. By the time we’re climbing out of the car and entering the open-air lobby to check in, I’m gawking like a girl who’s never traveled before, captivated by the nature that surrounds us. I’m such a city girl and I’m not used to this.
I wander the lobby while Perry takes care of matters at the front desk, spying a nearby restaurant featuring an outdoor patio with ocean views to die for. There’s a giant pool in the near distance, the lounge chairs surrounding it filled with vacationers sunning themselves. I wonder if Tinsley packed me any swimsuits.