Peyton placed her other hand on top of our clasped ones. “Thank you for telling me. I can understand why you did it. There were times when I wanted to earn more money, even though I had millions in my bank account. It’s crazy because I don’t feel that need anymore.”
The overwhelming desire for the money disappeared that first night I was with her. “Neither do I,” I murmured. “You broke me of that habit.”
She smiled. “Good. We’ll find new things to get addicted to.”
I stared down at her lips. “I think I’m already in trouble of that.”
CHAPTER13
PEYTON
FIVE DAYS LATER
The house we rented in Wilmington wasn’t on the beach but in the channel. We had our own private dock and rented an eighteen-foot boat. We’ve been here for five days, and never once have we left the house except to go out on the boat or just relax on the dock. Regarding food, I ordered our groceries online under a pseudonym and had them delivered to the front door as we needed them. Everything was perfect.
Ethan and I cooked our meals together and spent sunrises and sunsets on the dock. He even caught our dinner this afternoon, but I took no part in cleaning the fish. Luckily, he knew how to do that. It was something he and his father had done a lot when he was growing up.
“Babe, you coming?” Ethan called out.
It was time to watch the sunset.
Quickly, I pulled my hair up and hurried out of the bathroom. Ethan was by the front door waiting on me, dressed in a gray hoodie, jeans and a baseball cap. We still had neighbors close by, which meant we had to disguise ourselves somehow to keep people from recognizing us. That was why I rented a house no one would ever expect me to rent. I didn’t need the million-dollar fancy beach house. I wanted something small and cozy.
Ethan opened the door, but then my phone rang. I pulled it out of my back pocket and saw it was my mom. I held it up so Ethan could see.
“I’ll be right out. You go on ahead. I know you like your sunset fishing time.”
He leaned over and kissed me. “I’ll see ya out there.”
As soon as he walked out the door, I answered the call. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, sweetheart. You doing okay?”
I watched Ethan through the window, walking down the pier to the boat dock where he had all his fishing gear. “I’m doing great. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this relaxed.”
“Are things good between you and Ethan?”
A smile spread across my face. “Better than good.” I’d fallen in love with him. “We’re going to stay here for another month. I kind of like living the hermit life.”
My mother burst out laughing. “Enjoy it. Because once February comes, you’ll be going here, there and everywhere.”
The sky started to turn pink with the disappearing sun. I’d miss this haven when it was time to leave.
“Speaking of that, I need your honest opinion.”
“What is it?” she asked, her voice sounding concerned.
“When the time comes, if Ethan and I were to go public, do you think our relationship will survive?”
The line went silent for a few seconds, and then she sighed. “Do you believe in him, Peyton?”
I looked out the window at him and my heart soared. I couldn’t imagine spending a day without him. We hadn’t been together long, but I knew without a doubt that he was what I needed.
“I do,” I murmured, feeling the truth in my soul.
“Then there’s your answer. It’s going to be hard dealing with the press and the time apart, but you’re strong-willed, Peyton. You’ve always worked hard for what you wanted. If you want Ethan and this relationship to work, I have no doubt you’ll succeed. The question is . . . does he want it as bad as you?”
“I don’t think he’d be here with me if he didn’t.”