Page 114 of Scandalous Lover

I nod. “I’ll be there.”

It’s nearly an hour before my bladder drags me out of bed and into the main house. My coffee cup has long since gone cold, and I search for the kettle after freshening myself up a bit.

It’s kind of odd, having all the things I need in different little houses and having to go outside to reach each one, but not in a bad way. I’m starting to like the feeling of having theoutdoors be my hallway. I like the uneven, unfinished doorway ledges that I have to remember not to stub my toes on. I like waiting next to the gas burner for the water to boil, watching geckos hunt for gnats on the window screens.

But, as excited as I am about this house and the tsunami of feelings I’m having for Sam, right now all I want is to dive into my content from the wedding. From the gold-plated silverware to the full violin orchestra dressed all in ombre sunset colors, to the rare, black orchid lined aisle. That wedding was a spectacle in the best possible way.

I start by sorting the pictures into ones to keep and ones to delete. From there, I sort the keepers into ones I’m going to edit first and ones I might get to later.

Once I have the absolute best of the best ready to go, I fire up my laptop to start editing.

It becomes clear almost immediately that this isn’t going to work. The photos I deleted or moved to their own folders are all still in the giant dump of my recent photos, the internet out here failing to update my cloud at any workable pace.

I settle for texting a dozen or so of the very best shots to Fran, who I know is going to be just as excited as I am.

Fran: Girl! These are the best pictures I’ve ever seen! How did you do this with your phone? I’ve seen some of the shots from the photographers already and they are nothing like this.

I smile at her gushing praise. It feels really good to be able to participate on such a meaningful level. The feelings I was having during the wedding wrap-up, of being part of a team, come rushing back in, warming me from the inside out.

Naomi: Thanks! There are a ton more. I can’t do any editing here because the internet is too slow, but I’m going to head to The Sands in a few. Want to meet me there for lunch?

Fran: What’s wrong with the internet? Does Dom know? I know for sure he’ll have techs out there within the hour if his prize router is having issues.

Oops. Of course she would assume I was at Dom’s house, not curled up on Sam’s couch.

Naomi: Oh. Right. Well, I’m not exactly at Dom’s…

Fran: *crying laughing emoji* *heart eyes emoji* Say no more. I love it. I love this so much.

Naomi: It’s…it’s a whole thing.

Fran: What time’s lunch?

Chapter Forty-One

Sam

It’s not unusual for me to walk the halls of The Sands, smile on my face, greeting each person I meet. Today, however, I know there’s a little something extra in that smile, in my demeanor, and I know everyone can see it.

I couldn’t hide it if I tried.

This is, hands down, the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. Joy and excitement and hope for the future are pumping through my veins like the fountain of youth, energizing my every step. By the time I make it down to Reef for coffee and a cinnamon roll and back up to my office, I’ve already chatted with a dozen people, all of whom were smiling by the time they walked away, no matter how heavy their morning was before they found me.

I’m a walking ray of sunshine.

I settle into my desk and spend a few moments just enjoying the perfect contrast of the sweet pastry with the rich, strong black coffee. This might be the best breakfast I’ve ever had.

I smile at my ridiculously good mood.

I know exactly where the credit lies.

Hopefully, she’s still lying in my bed.

Yesterday was so incredible. Waking up together and having a little breakfast date in town like a real couple. Napping on my couch like it was something we did all the time. She’s always just as excited as I am to head out and tackle yard projects, and watching her experience the joy of transforming the bedroom with just a paintbrush and a little elbow grease was one of the highlights of my life thus far.

Suddenly, everything that’s ever happened to me, all the wonderful, memorable moments, seem to pale in comparison to yesterday.

The day I officially fell in love.