Epilogue
Kayla’s sandals slapped hard against the cheap vinyl floor as she stomped toward the single luggage carousel.
It looked exactly as it had a year earlier, surrounded by little huddled groups of excited tourists and smaller, more tightly huddled groups of airport personnel.
She stopped beside Mack and crossed her arms over her chest, letting her annoyance out in a huff of breath.
Mack looked over at her, a thin line creasing the skin between her eyebrows. “What’s got your panties in a twist?”
Kayla fought to keep her frown in place, though a smile was begging to come out. “I told you last year, I hate that word.”
Mack leaned in, one eyebrow arching, and her voice humming with that seductive purr Kayla had become so fond of. “And this year, I know exactly what kind of panties you wear. And when you aren’t wearing any at all.”
The tropical humidity had nothing on the flush that heated Kayla’s cheeks.
She hadn’t thought Mack had realized in the rush to leave the house that morning.
Somehow, Mack knowing that Kayla had chosen her favorite dress and no underwear for this trip made the choice all the more delicious.
What else did Mack know about her plans?
Probably everything. After all, Mack could read her like a book and for some reason still enjoyed the story.
With one final wink, Mack stood straight and returned her attention to the immobile luggage carousel. “So, what’s got your lack of a thong in a twist?”
Grumpiness settled back in Kayla and she stomped her foot. “The stupid passport official wouldn’t tell me if Skye has arrived yet. Same with the desk agent for United.”
“Remember how last year I specifically requested you not get arrested for bribing a passport official? That goes double this year. I can’t have you wearing shackles to our wedding.”
A burst of warmth bloomed in Kayla’s chest, and she pried Mack’s arms apart so she could wrap her midsection in a hug. Pressing her cheek to Mack’s chest, she said, “Only one ball and chain for me this trip. I promise.”
Mack chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “I’m pretty sure you’re the ball and chain in this scenario.”
“See, stereotypical gender roles exist in lesbian relationships, too.”
“Touché. Let’s defy stereotypes and both be balls and chains.”
Kayla dug her fingertips into Mack’s sides and held her while she wriggled from the tickling. “You’re an idiot.”
“Damn right.” Mack gave her a squeeze and then stepped away, scanning the luggage area again for movement. “Speaking of idiots, why did you hassle the passport official over Skye?”
Kayla laughed and slapped Mack on the butt.
Despite her teasing, Mack and Skye had actually started to get along over the last year.
That was probably mostly because Kayla had finally stopped throwing herself into ill-advised competitions with Skye now that they were just friends.
Still, once they actually got to know each other, it turned out that Mack and Skye had a lot in common.
Kayla said, “Their flight was delayed. I wanted to know their new arrival time.”
“The wedding isn’t until Wednesday, babe. They’ll get here in time.”
A flutter started low in Kayla’s belly and sent her back into Mack’s arms. If there was one thing she loved more than Mack using assorted endearments for her, it was anyone mentioning their upcoming wedding.
If she’d had her way, Kayla would have married Mack eleven months ago, as soon as they’d settled into regular life as a couple and found it was more blissful than anything she’d ever experienced.
But Mack was way more romantic than that.
They’d been practically inseparable since returning from St. Lucia a year earlier.
Three months later, they’d moved in together.
By Christmas, Kayla had seen a side of Mack that she never thought existed.
Relaxed Mack. Mack, who took evenings and weekends off from work.
Mack, who hadn’t picked up her laptop once during their four-day Thanksgiving weekend.
Then came Christmas Day. They’d spent the night before at Mom’s house and helped her make her famous orange cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.
Then they’d gone back home, switched into pajamas, and watched movies on the couch with the dogs all day long.
Late in the evening, when the boys were all dozing and the only light in the room came from the first Christmas tree they’d decorated together, Mack slipped off the couch, got down on one knee, and pried open a little black box with a gorgeous diamond ring inside.
She’d cried as she’d asked Kayla to marry her—for real this time.
Kayla had been so busy crying and kissing Mack that she forgot to say yes.
She was pretty sure she showed Mack her answer well enough instead.
The best part of the day, however, was when Mack grabbed an envelope from under the tree. One final gift for Kayla, but really a gift for both of them. Another honeymoon package for Rainbow Sands Resort and Spa in beautiful St. Lucia.
“All ours this time. No splitting it with anyone,” Mack had said.
They’d made love that night just like they had here on this island when it had been their first time. With gentleness and devotion that made Kayla’s chest tight all over again just thinking about it.
The squealing of the luggage belt broke Kayla from her pleasant memories, and she had to blink away the wetness that had gathered in her eyes.
She could tell from the indulgent smile on Mack’s lips that she knew exactly what Kayla had been thinking about.
Kayla pushed herself up onto her toes, and Mack bent down to meet her halfway.
Their lips fit together like two halves of a heart slotting into place.
The perfection of it never ceased to take Kayla’s breath away, she lost herself in the heat of Mack’s mouth.
“God, you two need a room,” said a familiar voice, snapping Kayla out of her blissful moment.
Spinning on her heels but staying inside the circle of Mack’s arms, Kayla turned to see an outrageously pregnant Skye waddle up to them.
She dropped her shoulder bag to the ground as though it weighed a thousand pounds.
Amy bounced up next to her, no fewer than three much larger bags and backpacks hanging from every limb.
Amy said, “Oh, you be quiet. They’re adorable. Hey Mack. Hey Kayla. How was your flight?”
Kayla reluctantly stepped outside of Mack’s embrace to throw a one-armed hug around Amy. “Uneventful.”
Skye groaned and arched her back. “Lucky you. Ours was miserable.”
Amy rubbed supportive circles on Skye’s back, but she caught Mack’s gaze and rolled her eyes.
Kayla couldn’t blame her. Although it had been Skye’s idea, she had not taken to pregnancy well.
The first trimester had been full of morning sickness and Skye had never been a good patient when she was unwell.
The second trimester was all about heartburn and throbbing joints.
Now that she had started the third, and the end was in sight, it was all about her back and hips aching so much she couldn’t sit still or sleep.
Mack and Amy, having become fast friends during the time Amy called their “Honeymoon For Four,” hung out often.
Mack had become her confidant, giving her someone to vent to so she could get it out of her system and be a good partner to Skye.
Kayla had been the one to drive Skye to appointments when Amy was working shifts at the hospital and help her pick out maternity clothes that weren’t too girly so Skye could still feel like herself through the pregnancy.
All in all, there was not a single person in this little group who didn’t want this baby to come pronto.
As Skye explained in depth how first-class airplane seats weren’t nearly as comfortable as they seemed, Kayla pulled out her phone and switched off airplane mode. The moment she did, a dozen notifications came in, one right after another.
Kayla cringed and poked Mack’s ribs. “We have a problem.”
Right on cue, Mack’s phone rang. The first suitcase appeared through the rubber curtain of the luggage carousel, earning a collective sigh of relief from their fellow travelers. Mack took one step forward, then froze, looking at her phone screen.
“Why’s Mom calling me?” Mack asked.
“About that,” Kayla said. “I might’ve forgotten to tell her we switched to an earlier flight.”
Mack’s jaw dropped open, and she practically shouted, “You did what?”
A man with a mustache that made him look like an adult film actor circa 1972 jumped at the sound of Mack’s shout and banged into the woman standing beside him.
She fell forward into a suitcase that toppled over onto an older man’s ankle.
He squawked in pain and jumped up and down, grabbing his ankle and shooting a malevolent look at the suitcase.
In fact, the angry glares flowed backward from him all the way to the unfortunately mustachioed man, who then turned an angry glare on Mack. She shrugged and turned back to Kayla.
Mack said, “But then she thinks we’re just taking off now.”
“We didn’t tell her that we got to the airport okay, and that our flight is leaving on time.”
“So, she’s worried sick.”
Amy leaned closer and asked, “Why would she be so worried. Isn’t she here already?”
Mack said, “Yes, she arrived two days ago. Apparently, she thought it was important to arrive ahead of time to make sure all of the arrangements were set.”
Amy nodded knowingly. “Since you left here last time without getting married.”
Skye pushed her knuckles into her back. “But that was because you two weren’t really engaged last time.”
Mack’s phone stopped ringing, but she didn’t pay attention. Her entire focus was on Kayla. Kayla could feel the weight of her love like a blanket on a cold day. She entwined her fingers with Mack’s and steeled herself. “Mom isn’t super happy with me for that.”
Skye asked, “Which part? The lying to me part or the lying to her part?”