I felt her melt as she fell in love with the three-story house and its white columns. “Oh.”
“As soon as I saw it, I thought of the gorgeous photos we could take of you on that deck. It’s going to be stunning.”
She squinted, leaning forward. “It’s in Connecticut?”
I gave a crisp nod. “We’re working with what we have.”
She collapsed back on my shoulder. “Only you, Nash! A private island in New England. Not the Bahamas or Greece or—”
“Hey, don’t knock Connecticut. We might want our kid to go to school there.”
She motioned for me to keep scrolling. “It really is lovely. The grounds are breathtaking. Look at that entrance from the dock!” Her eyes widened at the lush variety of evergreens and flowering shrubs that followed the concrete steps up toward the stately home.
“And it has five bathrooms, plus a half-acre of garden for guests to mingle. It’s closer for your European friends and colleagues.”
She turned to me, eyes shining and kissed me. “I’m sold.”
I clicked on another webpage. “I found a local florist who can do these pretty bouquets.”
Her eyes lit up as I’d hoped they would.
“Beautiful,” she breathed. “You’ve been busy.”
“Yeah. I just…I want to make this wedding perfect, Ay. Let’s face it: we’ve had some serious hurdles. So, if you want a wedding before you’re showing, that’s happening.”
She pulled her gaze from the screen and cradled my cheek and chin in her hand. Her eyes were soft. “Thank you. I think we should have both a chocolate and a white cake, and I can’t wait to marry you. So when’s the date?”
I shifted, trying hard not to let my anxiety get the better of me. “Two weeks.”
Her smile remained serene. “Good thing I know what kind of dress I want and have enough money to get it finished by then.”
I cleared my throat. “Is that…is it okay? I mean, I know most women like to plan out every detail…”
“It’ll be small and intimate because of the time frame. I get to marry you, so that’ll make any hiccup or headache worthwhile. It’s you I want, Nash. Not some showpiece for pictures. You.”
I set aside my computer with a mumbled, “I’ll finish that later,” against her neck as I began to work off her towel.
7
Aya
I woke slowly, blissfully sore in all the right places. And to think I’d gone years without Nash loving me up. I stretched, resettling my body against Nash’s chest. He hadn’t moved—probably wouldn’t for at least another hour or two. The man slept hard. He worked and played to his limit, too, so I shouldn’t be surprised by his need to recharge.
I was an early riser and preferred to start my day with the sun. I luxuriated in one more moment of Nash’s scent, the soft puff of his breath on my bare shoulder, before I edged out of bed.
Grabbing panties, a sports bra, yoga pants, and a T-shirt from the closet, I slid them on and padded out of the room. After a stop in the bathroom down the hall, I wandered into the kitchen, unsurprised to find Steve there, already setting out ingredients on the counter.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Morning.” The man took taciturn to a whole new level.
I poured a cup of coffee from the insulated French press and added a healthy dollop of cream and sugar. Coffee wasn’t my beverage of choice, but thanks to Steve’s particular taste in coffee beans, it was growing on me. I planned to have a sip or two and take the rest up to Nash.
“Mmm. A new variety?”
“Giulietta, Ethiopia. I’m not surprised you like it. Should have notes of black tea and lime leaf.”
I smiled. “It’s delicious.”
“Great. Now hand that cup back to me. I made you herbal tea. It’s supposed to help with pregnancy.”
I startled, blinking up at him before a huge smile broke across my face. “Nash told you.”
Steve’s eyes gleamed. “He did.”
“How are you feeling about us having a baby?”
“I want to be involved,” he blurted. “As involved as you’ll let me be.”
“Perfect, because I want that, too.” I smiled as I gauged his mood, noting his fidgety movements. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Crepes with strawberries and toasted hazelnuts.”
I kissed his weathered cheek. He sputtered, backing up.
“Yum. And Nash and I are getting married in two weeks. I’d like you to walk me down the aisle.”
“Me? I—”
“You’re the closest person to him. Having you do this for me—for us—would mean a lot.”
“I need to cut these berries.”
I smiled behind the teacup Steve handed me and turned to leave.
“Aya?” he called out.
“Yes?” I glanced over my shoulder.
He opened his mouth, shut it. “I’m honored.”
“Not as much as I am.”
I left before his head exploded from all the emotion, glad he’d agreed. Now, on to the dress.
As I’d told Nash, I knew exactly what I wanted—and who to talk to.
Even though it was just past seven in the morning, I dialed Kate’s mobile.
“It’s early, even for you,” she said.
“You don’t sleep in, so I figured this was safe.”
“True, but I dream about it. You better not call that day.”
“Promise. Well, I’ll try anyway. Want to go dress shopping with me?”
“Hell, yes! I can pick you up at nine.”
“How about you meet me at Cinnamon Sweets.”
“The vintage shop off Lamar?”
“Yes. Lani has the perfect dress. Well, she did, so let’s hope it’s still there.”
“Oh good, Rye’s up. He can finish Ike’s breakfast. Tell me all about this dress.”
Kate and I chatted for another thirty minutes before I ate one of Steve’s delicious crepes. I made sure the cats were fed. They lay together in their bed lazing in a wide beam of sunlight. Smiling, I headed upstairs to get ready. I showered quickly and managed to tame my hair and even complete my makeup before Nash stumbled out of bed.
He rubbed his eyes, squinting, against the bright lights. “You look gorgeous,” he said, voice still thickened with sleep.
“I’m meeting the girls downtown. We’re going dress shopping.”
“Cool.” He yawned. “For your wedding dress?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
He wrapped me in his arms and pressed his lips to the back of my neck. “I can’t wait to see you in it.”
“Two weeks.” I turned in his arms. “And I talked to Steve.”
He smiled. “Good. I wasn’t sure how to approach him. He cool with walking you down the aisle?”
“Yeah. But he kicked me out of the kitchen because I was breaking his concentration.”
Nash chuckled. “You have that effect on me as well.” He studied my face, his gaze soft and full of love. “You’re the best thing to ever happen to me, Aya Aldringham almost Porter. Thanks for taking a chance and answering my message all those years ago.”