Eventually, with a reluctant groan, he presses one last kiss to my shoulder and murmurs, “We should get ready before Ethan and Aria send out another search party for us.”
I nod, though it takes every ounce of willpower to peel myself away from his heat. We go our separate ways to get ready. As I dry my hair and slip into my dress, I still feel him everywhere.
When I finally step out of the bedroom, Milo is already waiting in the entryway. The moment his eyes meet mine, they sweep over my body in quiet appreciation. It makes my stomach flutter.
“Beautiful.” He says simply, his voice low and rough around the edges, as if the word isn’t nearly enough.
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly shy under the intensity of his gaze. “We should get going. Aria’s been blowing up my phone, asking where we are.”
He nods, lacing our fingers together like it’s the most natural thing in the world. The simple touch sends a spark racing up my arm.
We leave the villa and take the short walk to the pavilion. Milo’s thumb strokes soothing circles over the back of my hand with each step, each gentle pass making my heart slam against my ribs. I can’t help but steal glances at him through the lenses of my sunglasses.
As we near the pavilion, I reluctantly let go of his hand, already missing the solid warmth of his palm against mine. Most of the wedding party is already here, laughing and chatting around the tables.
Mom pulls me into a tight hug the second I reach them. “Oh, honey,” she says, pulling back to study my face with soft eyes. “You’re glowing. The island air really does agree with you.”
Or it’s the fact that I got royally fucked before I came here.
The memory makes my thighs clench as I settle into my chair beside her.
Dad chuckles quietly beside her, his gaze flicking between Milo and me. “There’s something different about you both today… I just can’t quite figure out what it is.”
I feel my cheeks warm instantly.
Milo’s hand finds mine under the table and gives it a reassuring squeeze. I squeeze back, heart racing.
Mom leans closer, her eyes sparkling. “Your dad is right. I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time. That flush on your cheeks isn’t from the sun, is it?”
I laugh, trying to play it cool even as heat creeps up my neck. “Mom…”
“Oh, don’t ‘Mom’ me,” she says, lowering her voice so only I can hear. “I know that look. And between us girls… whatever you two were doing before you got here this morning? Keep doing it. Whatever it was, it’s clearly working wonders.”
“Mom!” I whisper-shout, mortified but laughing.
“What?” she grins, sipping her coffee. “I’m just saying…”
Aria steps up to the microphone before I can die of embarrassment. The chatter and laughter throughout the pavilion quiets as all eyes turn toward her and Ethan, excitement bubbling in the air.
“Alright, everyone!” she beams, clapping her hands together. “Time for the moment you’ve all been waiting for—the bingo card winners!”
Ethan leans in beside her, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he speaks into the mic. “Aria and I loved seeing all your photo and video evidence roll in. Some of you gotverycreative. But there can only be one winner. And this couple…” He pauses dramatically, letting the suspense build. “…completed all their squares exactly three minutes before the runners-up did!”
The pavilion comes alive with murmurs and whispers.
“And some of you didn’t quite make it in time,” Aria adds with an exaggerated pout. “Mom and Dad, for instance, refused to do couples yoga.”
Dad grumbles from beside Mom, crossing his arms over his chest as she giggles behind her hand. “I’m an old man, Aria! I wasn’t about to pop a hip doing yoga at my age. You try balancing on one leg when your knees sound like bubble wrap.”
Warm laughter sweeps through the crowd. Mom swats his arm while unsuccessfully hiding her smile.
“Excuses, excuses.” I tease, leaning forward with a grin. He shoots me a mock glare—the same fatherly look that somehow makes me feel twelve years old no matter how old I get.
“Ryan and Claire were another couple who didn’t finish in time,” Ethan continues. “They had two squares left… and honestly? They were probably the easiest two on the entire card.”
A chorus of laughter breaks out before Ryan even has the chance to defend himself.
“Where exactly were we supposed to find temporary tattoos?” Ryan shouts from the neighboring table, throwing his hands in the air. “We looked everywhere. The gift shop only had seashells and pineapple keychains!”
