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“All part of the surprise, Emma,” August says, helping me into the passenger seat with a guiding hand.
I settle in and look around the cabin.
“So, you’re, like, the pilot of the family?” I ask him as he performs his final checks on the plane.
August shakes his head. “Nope, I most certainly am not. My brother Royce is the true Penmayne pilot. He’s so skilled at all this, he’s actually got his sights set on the Air Force. I reckon he’ll be one of the best pilots they’ll ever have at the rate he’s going. He’s a pure natural, whilst I’m more of an enthusiast. He can shoot down enemy fighters. I much prefer flying my girlfriend to birthday surprises.”
I can’t help but blush.
“Alright then, fly me to wherever this surprise is,” I say. “I’mveryintrigued now.”
And he does it with ease and skill. I know August says he’s not the pilot of the family, butdamn- I am impressed by the smoothness of the flight and how comfortable he seems behind the controls. I would be crapping my pants if I were him.
We fly for a few hours before we eventually reach where we’re going, and I can now understand why August hired a water plane to get here. Our final destination seems to be an island in the middle of the ocean. August lands on the water seamlessly, bringing us up to some long jetty that pokes out of the island.
“What is this?” I ask my pilot.
“So full of questions today, Emma,” August says, smirking that annoying smirk of his. “Just you wait and see. Look, there’s someone here to see us.”
He’s pointing at a half-dozen people wearing white uniforms anticipating us to disembark the plane at the end of the jetty.
“Welcome to Paradise Island Resort, August and Emma,” the lead woman says to my boyfriend and me with a big smile as my feet touch land. “We do hope you’ll enjoy your stay with us. Please follow my staff and me to your private villa that awaits.”
I spin to August. The boy is already grinning at me.
“A resort?” I ask him. “An actual freaking full-on island resort?”
“Happy birthday, beautiful,” he replies coolly. “It’s five stars and we’re here for one night, so let’s enjoy it.”
“Just for you and me?” I ask, getting really excited now.
“Just us,” August confirms calmly. “No other Penmaynes. No security. No Mother. No need to sneak around tonight. Just us in our very own private villa.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
“Oh, I know.”
I give him a playful punch on the arm and my pilot boyfriend chuckles. He takes my hand and squeezes it tight.
I feel so safe with him. So...cherished.
We follow the resort staff down the jetty and up the hill overlooking a private, untouched beach, where a large standalone villa is waiting for August and me. I can’t believe my eyes. I have never seen anything like this in my life. The villa is perched majestically and invitingly on the edge of the hill. It sits amongst tropical gardens and gently swaying palm trees. It has thatched roofs and wooden panels, giving it a Balinese feel. The empty beach below the villa stretches on and on, seemingly forever, with clear blue tropical waters and white sand.
I stumble, overawed, into the villa. It has floor-to-ceiling windows that beckon golden sunlight to warm up the inside. It’s all dark hardwood paneling and rustic vibes – an airy and spacious dwelling. There are sofas and armchairs to lounge in, and wood carvings on the walls. Marble floors, perfectly polished, smoothly line the way to the bedroom. It’s timeless. A perfect little retreat from the world. This is truly breathtaking. There’s no doubt it isn’t a full five-star resort.
I am, simply, blown away.
And August has booked it for my birthday.
“I really can’t believe how spoiled I am,” I tell him once the staff leave.
The boy leans down and kisses me delicately. “Well, you better believe it. You deserve to be spoiled, Emma Tucker. You deserve everything.”
“I’m a lucky girl to have you.”
“Indeed, you are. And I am a very, very lucky boy to have you.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” I whisper. “This is beyond my wildest expectations.”
