Her frown is there and gone, but I’m watching her so closely I don’t miss it.
“You don’t like surprises?”
She shrugs. “Never had any good ones that I can remember.”
I make a mental note to give her a good surprise every day. Even if it’s a note tucked into her handbag. Coffee in bed before she starts the day. Flowers delivered to her office. Picking up herdry cleaning. There are any numbers of ways I can get a smile on her face with something unexpected.
“I see your mind ticking. What are you thinking?” She’s grinning, and it makes me smile in return.
“Just thinking of all the fun things I can spring on you in the future.”
Color floods her cheeks. “You’re too good to me.”
“No. I’m only giving you what you deserve.”
“Okay, lovebirds. I’m sorry, but I need you to hurry. I’ve got another ceremony to perform at eight.” Tessa stands beside her car, the two strangers who agreed to witness our marriage nowhere to be seen.
“Oh, sorry.” Lizzi quickens her steps, tugs me along with her. “How fast will this be processed?”
“I’ll lodge them tomorrow.”
“So the marriage won’t be legal until then?” Lizzi asks for clarification. I know she’s thinking about the other legal paperwork we need to organize.
“It’s legal now.” Tessa shoots us a grin and sweeps an arm out over the papers. “As long as you sign these.”
I waste no time; darting forward, I pick up the pen Tessa has set on the first document and start signing my life over to my wife. Once done, I hand the pen to Lizzi and watch as she signs her life over to me.
And when that last stroke is made, I pump a fist in the air, whoop so loud birds burst from the trees around us, then grab my wife. Lifting her off her feet, I spin us around and around.
She’s laughing, her head thrown back, eyes closed, and it’s in that moment that I know my suspicions are correct.
I’m in love with my wife.
The wife I agreed to divorce as soon as she gained control of her family’s company.
13
ELIZABETH
There are tears in my eyes and emotion clogging my throat.
Devon’s surprise is not what I expected. At all.
We’re at a lookout. Only it’s not the view that has me choked up. Although the Pacific Ocean and sparkling lights of Wollongong are spectacular and deserving of awe.
It’s the set up near the cliff’s edge that affects me most.
Spread out over the grass is a pallet of thick blankets. Containers filled with what I assume is our dinner cover the middle. To one side, a pair of glasses rest against a bucket of ice that I’m sure because he misses nothing, holds my favorite wine. And around the edges of the comfy looking nest are pillows.
Lots and lots and lots of pillows.
He’s brought the comfort of an intimate living room outdoors and I’m grateful he understands me so well. I don’t remember telling him this was a dream. And maybe I haven’t. Devon sees me like no one else.
“Is it okay?” Devon’s words are filled with concern. “I know it isn’t a five star?—”
I push to my toes and press my mouth to his. We stand like that, not really kissing, but it’s no less intimate. After severalseconds, I pull back, my hands curled in the front of his shirt. “It’s perfect.”
And it is. No one has ever done anything like this for me. It’s like he snuck inside my head and hunted around for my deepest secret dreams and made them come true.
