Page 187 of Champagne Nights

Ben rented a surfboard,and we took them down to the water. As we paddled out, I looked over at him.

“Watch out for the sharks.” I smiled.

“That’s not even funny, Paisley. Wasn’t there just a shark attack here a couple of months ago?”

“I think so. But it wasn’t near here.”

“Doesn’t matter. Those fuckers swim all over the place.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. After we paddled out far enough, I stood up on my board.

“What are you doing?” Ben asked.

“What I came out here to do,” I replied as I took off my wedding ring. I looked straight out into the water as I held my balance on my board. “You said that one of the happiest times of your life other than marrying me was our time spent here. We made beautiful memories together. Being here, it’s like I can feel you with me. It's almost as if you’re watching over me. It’s time for me to move on, and I want to leave this symbol of our love somewhere close to both our hearts.” I brought the ring to my lips before throwing it as far as I could across the ocean. I sat down on my board, and Ben paddled his board to mine. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I smiled as I placed my hands on each side of his face.

We spent the next three days surfing, making love, and exploring Hawaii. In between all of that, I finally finished my novel. It was time to go home and let life fall into place. Things would change now that Ben was in my life, and we were a couple.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Paisley

We landed in L.A., and it felt so good to be home. We picked up our luggage and loaded it into Ben’s truck. I sent a text message to Keaton, telling him that we were on our way home.

“It’s good to be back in LA.”

“It sure is.” Ben smiled as he brought my hand to his lips.

Keaton opened the front door the second we pulled up in the driveway. I jumped out of the truck and ran to him, hugging him tightly.

“I missed you, sis. Welcome home.”

“I missed you too. Now, where’s my cat?”

“Go on inside, and I’ll grab your luggage.”

I didn’t argue because I couldn’t wait to see Romeo. I saw him sitting on the couch when I walked through the door. I sat down and picked him up. He immediately started to purr.

“My baby. I missed you so much,” I said, holding him close.

“Meow.”

“Did you have fun with your Uncle Keaton?”

“Yeah, we had a great time. Go on, Romeo, tell your mom that your Uncle Keaton gave you lots of catnip, and you were as high as a kite.”

“Keaton!” I exclaimed.

He laughed, and so did Ben.

“Hey, Mom is having a welcome home dinner tomorrow night for you and Ben. So the two of you better be there.”

“For me and Ben? How did she know that Ben?—”

Keaton put his hands up. “I slipped. I’m sorry. The whole family can’t wait to see the two of you.”

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