Chapter 37
Alyssia
“Don’t forget your hat,” Travis says.
We’re standing in the parking lot of the harbor. Travis has brought me here for another one of his surprises.
He reaches back into the passenger side of his car and plucks out my wide brim straw hat, placing it carefully on my head. My eyes scan the contours of his jawline, the way the sun heightens the golden flecks in his eyes that if you’re not close enough one could easily miss.
“What are you smiling about?” he asks, the sparkle in his eyes matching his grin.
“I was thinking how wonderful it is that our baby gets to grow up in a place as beautiful as this.”
With a wave of my hand, I gesture to our surroundings.
A group of young people dressed in sundresses and Polo shorts laugh carelessly as they head toward the one of the docks. They look so carefree, exactly how people their age should feel on a beautiful summer day.
My hand goes to my belly. Quietly, I pray our child is able to live happily like that.
“Our baby is lucky because you’re going to be his or her mom.” He brings my hand to his lips, kissing the outside of my palm.
I part my lips to tell him I’m not the type of person who believes in luck, but the words don’t come out.
“My baby daddy is a flirt.”
“If we have a boy, I’ll teach him everything I know.”
I pull my hand away. “You’ll teach our son to be a ho? What if it’s a girl?”
He frowns. “She’s not leaving the house until she’s at least twenty.”
My eyes round in shock. “That’s a completely sexist and outdated mindset.”
He shrugs. “Call me old school.”
“I’ll call you a male chauvinist who has his head stuck up his—”
He leans in and kisses my lips.
“I’m kidding.” He chuckles as he pulls back. “She can leave the house when she’s sixteen. By then I’ll have taught her everything I know about avoiding men all together.” He twists his lips, thinking. “On second thought, she’ll have round-the-clock security. That’ll take care of it.”
“Ridiculous.”
He squeezes my hand. “When it comes to my family, I am.”
It’s the words “my family” that melts any fiery response I might’ve come back with.
“Now about your surprise.” He gestures toward the marina.
“We’re going sailing?” I ask.
“Sailing, no. But we are spending the next few days on a private yacht with stops at some of the most gorgeous beaches in Monaco and the South of France.”
“Are you crazy?”
The smile he gives me is dazzling. “Yes, but that’s beside the point.”
“Which is?”
“That you told me you’ve never been on a yacht. And as much as you enjoy walking by and sitting out on the balcony watching the boats, I figured it was time to take you out on one.”
My heart melts all over again. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how I can mention something once and he remembers it. I’ve never had anyone pay that type of attention to what I say, not a boyfriend, at least.
I love you.
The words are right there, on the verge of falling out, but I hold them back.
Travis opens the trunk of his car, revealing a bag of mine he’s already packed for the day.
“It would’ve been my preference to not have to bring any clothes on this trip, but …” He trails off with a lifted eyebrow.
“Clothes are a must,” I insist, laughing and taking my bag from him.
“There are some beaches in France and Italy where the laws on nudity are more relaxed, you know.”
“Stop it.” I swat at him.
Travis pushes out a defeated breath. “If you insist,” he says before leaning in and kissing my cheek. “Wait for me here, while I go check with our host to make sure our yacht is ready.”
Watching him stroll away, I sigh. As I rub my belly, I think about how full my heart is, both for this baby and the man who brought my heart back to life after years of suppressing any emotion remotely related to love.
Maybe one day soon I’ll actually be able to tell him.