Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
The flooring is pine, and the fixtures are elegant and tasteful. I’m purchasing it furnished, so I make a mental note to tell Kelly that whoever handles that area of her business is brilliant.
The furniture is all light gray, save for a light blue chair placed in a corner near the showstopper. That’s a wall of windows that provides a view that rivals the one I had in the apartment I used to own in New York.
Water greets the eye along with a few scant boats on Long Island Sound.
Gina is drawn to the windows, her steps quickening as she crosses the condo to get to her destination.
“Daniel,” she breathes my name out, wrapped in a sigh. “This is breathtaking.”
She’s right. The sight before me is, but that’s all about her and not the water.
“You like it?” I ask the question even though she’s already answered it with her reaction.
“I love it.” She glances over her shoulder at me. “This place is a true gem. It’s a treasure.”
Every thought I’ve had about selling it in the future is gone. I’ll hold onto it forever, just as I’ll hold onto the memory of this moment until I die.
I’m falling in love with my wife.
No, that’s not what this is.
I’m falling deeper in love with my wife. I’ve been in love with her for years. I know that now.
She turns to face me. “This was a wonderful surprise. I’m glad I got to see this place.”
“There’s one more surprise.” I walk toward her, keeping my steps measured and even. “I think you’ll like it even more than this one.”
“More than this?” She laughs. “That’s hard to imagine.”
I take a chance and offer her my hand. “Come with me and see.”
Her gaze drops to my hand before she slides hers into it. “Okay. I’m ready for whatever it is.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Gina
Nothing could have prepared me for this.
I stare at Daniel, unsure of how to fully express what I’m feeling. It’s a combination of gratitude, shock, and regret.
I’m beginning to regret booking a seat on the flight headed to Las Vegas tomorrow.
“I promise it won’t sink.” Leif, the man standing next to Daniel, smiles as he goes on, “Bill hired me to take care of this boat more than ten years ago. I take him and his wife out on the water a few times each summer. When he called and said a friend wanted to borrow it for the afternoon, I was thrilled to lend a hand. There isn’t a spot on earth I’d rather be.”
I look past him to the sailing boat we are about to board.
“Are you ready, Gina?” Daniel asks gently. “If you’d rather not, I understand.”
I look up and into his face. “I want to.”
He gestures toward the boat waiting at the dock. “One of my clients who loves to sail offered the use of his boat when I called to ask him if he knew where I could charter one for a few hours. This may not be exactly how you pictured your honeymoon, but I wanted to give you the experience before tomorrow.”
“Before I go back to Vegas?” I whisper.
He nods.
Leif slides a hand into the pocket of his navy blue pants. “You two are married?”
Before Daniel can answer, I do because I want to hear the words come from my lips. “We’re married.”
“We’re married,” Daniel repeats. “Recently married.”
“I’ve got some champagne on board.” Leif laughs. “In a plastic bottle, mind you, since glass is a safety concern, but it’s all yours if you want it.”
“It’s not shots, so yes.” Daniel chuckles. “We’d appreciate that. Thank you.”
I smile. “Shots are what got us to this place.”
Daniel gazes into my eyes. “I should thank the shots because this is the best place I’ve been in a long time.”
I gaze out at the water and the endless blue sky beyond before I look back at my husband. “Me too.”
“Are you cold?” Daniel asks.
I turn to my left to find him right next to me. He has spent the past fifteen minutes with Leif as he listened to several tales about various fishing trips.
It makes sense since it sounds like Leif grew up spending his weekends on a boat much like this with his family.
“I’m good,” I assure him, even though my hair is whipping in the wind. “It’s beautiful out here.”
Daniel gazes at the water ahead as the boat cuts a path through it. “Don’t laugh, but this is my first time on a boat, Gina.”
I hold in a smile. “I would have thought you’d be out on a different yacht every weekend with your clients in California.”
“I’ve been invited,” he admits. “But it wasn’t what I wanted to do. You’d be surprised how many people are willing to trade a day trip on their yacht for a meal at one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles.”