Chapter Twenty-Five
2 1/2 years later
“Ari, come on,” Olivia whined.
“Shh. Relax, Liv, we’ve got plenty of time,” Rex assured the girl. She was dressed in a blue sequined dress and tiny heels that she’d begged for. Her face hadn’t changed much, but her personality now shown through. Gone was the timid little girl who hid behind her sister and in her place was an outspoken hellion he knew would give them a run for their money over the next decade.
“Chill out, Olivia,” Ari yelled from inside the closet. A minute later, the woman who had changed his whole life came back into the bedroom with her brother in tow. He looked mutinous in his suit and tie, but the hint of the handsome young man he would become was certainly there. “I was fixing his tie. We’re fine on time,” Ari assured Olivia.
“For now, but you know Uncle Tommy drives like a snail! You can’t be late for your own graduation.”
Rex smiled indulgently. Olivia had a point, so he reassured her, “He’s not driving. I am.”
Oliva rolled her eyes. “Oh great, that’s not much better.”
Her sister cuffed her gently upside the head. “Manners brat. Well, let’s get a move on since you ”re in such a hurry.”
Olivia glared at her. “Where’s your cap and gown?”
“They’re already at the college. I’ll pick them up at the lineup.”
Olivia scowled as though doubting the truth of that but gave up and tugged on her brother’s arm. “Come on Owen, let’s go!”
Rex chuckled as they rushed from the room. He turned back to watch Ari gather up her purse. Watching her was always a bit of a sucker punch, just like the first time he’d ever seen her. A lot had changed since that night. In their lives and that of their family. The one thing that hadn’t changed was how much he loved the woman in front of him. His wife.
They’d been through their fair share of turmoil. The process of getting awarded full custody of her siblings had taken time but had been sped up by the unfortunate death of Ari’s mother. She’d passed away at the long-term care facility where she’d been placed the month before Ari was due to start school. It had been a testament to their relationship that Ari had leaned on him through that and let him deal with the estate. He’d sold off everything and put the money away for the twins when Ari had insisted she didn’t want any of it.
“Ready?” he asked Ari.
She bit her lip and looked around the room. “Yeah, I think I am. I can’t believe it’s done.”
“It’s done, you got top grades, and you have a job lined up,” he reminded her.
The smile she gave him made his heart stutter just for a second. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard. She melted into him. She still did, every time.
“I have a surprise for you,” he whispered against her lips.
Her brow scrunched. “Not another graduation present?”
He tried his best to look innocent. “Maybe? It’s from all of us. Kayla too.”
That had been an amazing thing to happen, too. While Kayla wasn’t part of daily operations of the Nardone businesses, she was a part of the family again. Rex felt like all the work he, Tommy, and Liesel had put in had paid off in a big way there. Having his sister back in his life was amazing. She and Ari had become good friends.
Ari’s eyebrows flew up. “Oh yeah? Knowing all of you it must be big then.”
Rex pulled the envelope out of his jacket and handed it to her. She peeled it open and scanned the contents. Her eyes flew to his. “Rex?! Really?”
Rex mentally breathed a sigh of relief. He was hoping he’d gotten it right. They’d talked about it in passing, but now he’d made it real.
“Yep. You and me, one week all-inclusive at Paradise Bound.” He pulled her to him again. “VIP of course.”
She gaped at him.
“So are you going to be a good girl and get moving now or—”
“Yes, sir,” she breathed against his neck.
It was the first time they’d be able to go on vacation, just the two of them. He couldn’t wait.
“Alright then, let’s go. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get on that plane. Kayla’s boss is letting us use one of his planes.”
She gave him a cheeky smile. “I’ve heard stories of those planes, sir.”
He gave her a knowing look and swat on the behind. “Exactly.”
Want to see just what Ari and Rex got up to on the plane? Check it out here!
Up Next: Caught in the Act…find out just how hot the sparks are between the homicide detective Bryn Manchester and Tommy Nardone.