His breathing stalled, leaving him a little lightheaded. “Is that what we are? Two people in love?”
A coy smile tipped the edges of her lips as she said, “‘My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.’”
Recognizing Juliet’s lines from Shakespeare’sRomeo and Juliet, Colt hungrily captured her mouth with his.
Never in all his life, had he flown so high.
And he hoped he never came back down.
Chapter 24
The slow, lingering kiss beneath the flickering lamp on Main Street proved to be the perfect end to their perfect evening. And Penny couldn’t help but smile as they stalled, unwilling to say good night.
In the course of a single day, their lives had completely transformed—entwined by the bonds of love, like two paths merging in the woods, becoming one road to the same destination. And as they embarked on this new journey together, Penny reveled in the exhilaration. She’d never been more excited about the future.
Colt held both of her hands, his gaze drinking her in. “There’s something I’ve been dying to tell you all night, but the opportunity never came up.”
“Oh?” she murmured, unable to fathom what else was left to say after all they’d shared.
“The other day, an old friend contacted me out of the blue.” His voice rose with nervous energy, causing Penny’s heartbeat to flutter with apprehension. “He runs a luxury scuba diving outfit in the Maldives, and I’ve been pestering him for years to set up a sister operation in the Mediterranean, hiring me as a guide since I know those waters better than anyone.”
As he spoke, Penny’s blood ran cold.
“Well,” Colt continued, running his thumbs in small circles against her palms. “He finally got his investment partners to go for it. And they want me to fly out in two weeks.”
“What?” Penny gave a small shake of her head. Surely, she’d heard him incorrectly. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“This is an unbelievable opportunity and—”
As though she’d been burned, Penny yanked her hands from his grasp, shock and dismay crashing over her. “Please tell me this is one of your pranks. You’re not actually considering the job offer?”
Surprise flickered across his face. “Pen, I—”
“You already took the job, didn’t you?” Her voice escaped in a hollow whisper, sudden tears burning her eyes as the harsh reality sunk in. “How could you do this? Now? After everything that’s happened between us?”
Her rib cage compressed around her lungs, making it difficult to breathe.This isn’t real… this isn’t real….She recited the silent mantra, praying it was all a bad dream.
But it wasn’t. She could see the truth reflected in his eyes, and she couldn’t bear it any longer. Desperately, she twisted away from him, but he grabbed her hand, whirling her back around.
“Wait. I didn’t finish.” He pinned her with an earnest, pleading gaze. “I want you to come with me.”
His words hung between them, fluttering in the wind like a white flag.
But all she saw was red.
“Come with you?” she cried, wrestling free from his hold. “For how long?”
“I don’t know. Six months. Maybe more. I already told them unless you were a part of the deal, I’d turn down their offer. You’d get your own accommodations, paid travel expenses, you name it. We’ll get to explore the Mediterranean Sea together. Just think of the adventures.”
“Justthink?” she blurted, bitter disappointment curling around her heart. “All I can do is think. About leaving my livelihood, Chip, my friends… my whole life is here. How can you ask me to leave it all behind for an indeterminate amount of time? With only two weeks’ notice?”
She bit her bottom lip sharply, the lump in her throat swelling. How had she been so blind? She’d put her trust in this man, believing he’d changed. But all this time, he couldn’t wait to leave, to go on his next big adventure. And the fact that he thought she could simply uproot her entire life to go with him—He hadn’t matured at all.
“I understand it’s a big ask…” He trailed off, running his fingers through his hair, his features strained in the dim light. “But I thought—”
“That’s the problem,” she cut in, her throat closing around her words as her anguish mounted. “You’re the only onenotthinking. You never do. You do exactly what you want, when you want. Regardless of the consequences. I’m not like you, Colt. I can’t leave people behind as easily as you do.”
He flinched as though he’d been slapped.
