AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Only when I’m being held hostage in my own car.”
“You’re far from a hostage, and when you see what we’re doing, you might even be a willing participant.”
I lift a skeptical brow. “Depends on what you’re asking me to participate in.”
“Are you coming onto me, Nova Pratt?”
Heat infuses my cheeks. “You wish.”
“I’m teasing. Riling you up is becoming my new favorite pastime.” Devin chuckles. “Have you ever heard of Wisconsin Dells?”
“No,” I reply when his gaze slides my way.
“Yeah, me either, but I think we’re in for a treat. Water parks, mini golf, and boat rides. You name it, Spitfire. What’ll it be?”
“What is this? The Orlando of Wisconsin?”
“This is where our adventure begins.” Something tells me if I could see his eyes behind his tinted sunglasses, they’d twinkle with mischief.
* * *
Devin wasn’t kidding. The town of Wisconsin Dellsiswhere our adventure begins. Starting with checking into a waterpark hotel decorated with sea animals.
“Don’t get your hopes up.” Devin nudges me past the indoor waterpark. “We don’t have time to play with the dolphins. We have plans.”
“Plans?” It’s just after four. While there’s zero appeal in the idea of spending the remainder of the afternoon in a crowded waterpark—I use the description park loosely as it’s mostly a few kiddy slides and some giant animal-shaped sprinklers around a pool—what does my co-pilot have in mind?
“When did you find the time to book this?” It’s hard to hide my excitement an hour later as Devin leads me toward a floating dock where a double-decker boat awaits its guests. “I have to be honest. I was a little scared when we drove by the Ripley’s Believe It or Not building.”
Devin adjusts his sunglasses with a smirk. “Do you think I would tell you to dress cute to go to Ripley’s?”
“The fact that you told me to dress cute is just as shocking as you booking us a sunset dinner cruise.” I survey the crew welcoming the lingering small crowd.
“I have a sister. I know how you girls are about dressing appropriately.”
I scan the navy short-sleeved button-down fitted to his torso. “You’re a good guy, Devin Hawthorne.” I weave my arm through his and lean closer as we near the crowd. “Now, tell me about this cruise we’re doing.”
five | devin
Enjoyingthe softness of Nova’s body pressed against mine a little too much, I cover her hand and dip my head to whisper in her ear. “Well, you see, my dear.” I peep the dent in her cheek and continue. “We are a madly in love couple about to be separated by the different paths our futures are taking, and this is our final trip together.”
Nova gasps. “How tragic.”
“Indeed.”
As we stroll the boat deck, Nova stays close. “So, how long have we been together?”
Unable to contain a smirk with how easily she plays along, I continue the ruse. “A year. High school sweethearts.”
“Precious.”
I chuckle at her sarcasm. Someone’s a little cynical after her breakup. I almost open my mouth to get some answers, but something within doesn’t want to taint this adventure with reality.
We make our way to the upper deck, me unabashedly eyeing her tan calves as she climbs, and find an empty table near the railing.
“Does this suit you, jelly bean?” I ask with a sweep of my arm.
Nova holds in a laugh. “It’s perfect, pumpkin.”
