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21
Elizabeth leaned back in the bright orange plastic chair on the top deck of theIsland Queen, tilting her face toward the sun and smiling as she recalled the conversation that brought her and Will here. He’d tried to insist on chartering a private boat out of Falmouth Harbor to take them to Martha’s Vineyard, but she’d refused.
"It's only a forty-minute trip, and taking the ferry is part of the charm of traveling to the Vineyard.” She quirked an eyebrow and placed another blouse in her suitcase. “You’re being a snob again.”
He remained silent, arms folded over his chest and looking petulant.
"Isn’t thismybirthday present?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Then shouldn’tIbe able to choose how we get there?"
He shifted his legs and shrugged. "I suppose."
She pulled her lower lip into her mouth to stop from laughing; he looked like a little boy who’d had his favorite toy taken away. She looped her arms around his shoulders and kissed his frowning mouth, but he didn’t budge.
"I love that you want to spoil me,” she said. “But I’d really like to go on the ferry."
She chuckled now as she recalled his resigned expression, and he lifted his head from the back of the seat next to her.
"What’s funny?"
"I was thinking about our conversation about the ferry."
"That was a set-down."
“It was no such thing! But the look on your face was priceless. A full-blown pout if I’ve ever seen one."
“I like to get my way."
The ferry’s horn sounded as they sailed into Oak Bluffs harbor, and they joined the crowd waiting to disembark. As soon as they were on land, Will grabbed her hand and led her to the boardwalk that wended alongside the harbor.
"Our car should be ready," he said.
"You got us a car?"
"Yes. How else would we get around?"
They walked to the rental agency, where Will took care of the paperwork and was given the keys to a convertible BMW, and fifteen minutes later they were driving down the narrow, one-way streets of Edgartown. They arrived at the hotel, where a valet met them and helped with their bags. Their room was a beautiful suite that overlooked the harbor, the lighthouse, and the ocean beyond.
She spun around slowly, taking in the room, and noticed a bouquet of red roses next to a bottle of champagne—chilling in a beach bucket. She teared up at the sight of it, and opened the card.
Happy Birthday to my beautiful beach girl.
I love you,
Will
She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "I love you too." It still felt so new, saying those words out loud.
He kissed her tenderly. "You should be proud of me. I managed to keep it to a dozen roses this time."
She laughed and kissed him again. "Thank you."
They spent a few minutes unpacking, and though they were tempted to linger, they decided to enjoy the fresh air.
"Would you like to see the lighthouse?"
