My gaze narrowed. “You didn’t bake it yourself, did you?”
“Not a chance.”
I went up on my toes, winding my arms around his neck. Brushing my mouth against his, I whispered, “Good, because I don’t love you for your baking skills, but I do love you for a million other reasons. I’ll be your wife, Derrick. I’ll always choose you.”
He slipped the ring onto my finger and sank his hands into my hair, urging me back until our mouths fit together. His kiss was possessive, as if he hadn’t just asked to seal our lives together. And maybe that was what I loved the most about it.
Never take a moment for granted.
Love like you might not get another chance. Because nothing else really matters.
I murmured against his lips, “One more thing. I have a request.”
Resting his arms on my shoulders, he nuzzled my neck. “Anything.”
“I get to plan the honeymoon.”
His laugh fanned my face. “Deal. Now, let me show you how much I love you.” He kissed me slowly, leading me toward the sofa. “And then, we’ll have cake.”
Epilogue
Two months later, on the coast of the Sylvan Isles
The waves crashed against the beach. I laughed, dipping my feet into the cold water as I ran ahead of Derrick. Sand curled between my toes, and I tilted my head to the sky, soaking in every warm ray of sun. This beach was a far cry from the snow, ice, and wind of our last trip. Breathing in the salty air, I turned in a circle, taking in the endless blue sea and the empty stretch of dunes.
“It’s so beautiful here!” I shouted over the sound of gulls overhead. “I never want to leave. The magic shop can go to ruin—I’ll open a new one here. Look at this place! No interruptions, no murderous shapeshifters with evil intentions, and no snowstorms.”
Derrick caught up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “You’re right. This is a much better vacation. You can plan all our future trips. I’ll leave them in your capable hands.”
“As you should. I don’t want to brag, but, clearly, the witch knows best.”
His arms tightened around my middle, and I leaned my head back only to find him staring at something ahead of us. An odd look darkened his face, and I followed his gaze.
Not again.
The body lay on its stomach, staining the sand beneath it a dark red. A knife protruded from the man’s shirtless back. But it wasn’t the blade that drew my eye—it was the magical symbols that had been carved into his skin. They looked vaguely familiar.
I chewed on my lip. If only I’d packed my grimoire.
Derrick groaned and scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “This can’t be happening.”
I held up a finger. “Now, I know this looks bad, but let’s not jump to conclusions about my poor vacation planning.”
“You said no one gets murdered at the beach. You said that!” His voice rose, and he sliced a hand through the air.
“Well…”
“Tessa! We’re on our honeymoon.”
“And apparently, death doesn’t take vacations.” I edged closer to the body, careful not to disturb the scene. “I think I might be able to decipher the symbols. Do you think this island has a magical library?”
He shook his head repeatedly and flattened his lips. “Don’t even think about it. Remember the rules. No agency stuff. That includes beach murder investigations. I’m your boss now. I forbid it.”
My hands landed on my hips. “Aren’t you curious to know how a dead body ended up on our beach?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are—I can see it in your face. The wheels in your head are turning. I saw you scanning the sand for clues. Come on! One more case together before we go back home and you sit at your stuffy desk while I train some fresh off the farm recruit.”
