Page 72 of Ring Me

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THERE WERE UNCOUNTABLEstars in the sky. I tried anyway, leaning on the boat's railing as the wind cooled the sweat on the back of my neck. The hour was late but people lingered, dancing on every level of the boat, and even the dock below, where the Annie May was moored.

On my way to the top deck, I'd passed my mother and aunt. Their bodies were hunched close, heads bent as they spoke in whispers. I didn't know what they were saying but their body language made me think it was good stuff. Important stuff. I hoped, anyway.

There was a gentle scuffle behind me. Fingers brushed my bare shoulder, teasing a curl of my hair-do that had come undone during our first dance. “Hello, wife,” Conner chuckled.

I thrilled at that. “Hello, husband.” I'd kissed him so many times today; I kissed him now, and I'd kiss him again soon. “Is everyone drunk?” I asked.

“Most people. The boat is slowly clearing out. Mindy is politely telling them it's time to go, while informing me if they don't all disembark, I'm paying for another hour.”

“I'm glad they want to stay,” I said, gazing back up at the stars. “I get it. I'm tired, but I also never want our wedding to end.”

“I could keep renting the boat but after a few weeks, itwillbe costly.” He grinned as he put his elbows on the railing next to me, following my eyes to the black, inky sky. “Are you looking at something up there?”

“Kind of.”

“Kind of?”

“It's silly,” I said, chewing my lip. He arched his eyebrows, which made me smile through my blush. “I was just thinking they looked different.”

“The stars?”

“Yeah. Don't you think so?” Propping my chin on my fist, I studied the twinkling lights, marveling at them where they hung in space. “Maybe it's because we're on the boat and it's not raining this time. Or maybe it's all in my head. I don't know, I just... think they look brighter tonight.”

Conner was silent. When I looked over, I saw he was staring at me with adoration. No mask, no attempt to hide it, this was a man head over heels in love. “They're not brighter, Maya. You are. You're what's different. Do you feel it? This happiness? It's coming off of you in waves, and I don't doubt for a second that it's so intense, it's reflecting off of the stars in the sky for the world to see.”

I was dumbstruck. What was the point of words? This moment required nothing but our hearts beating to our personal song, our silky lips linking together like magnets. This was what it meant to love with all you were.

“Let's get out of here,” he said in a hush.

Rational, practical, perfectionist me would have cautioned against leaving before we'd said goodbye to all the guests. There was paperwork to sign, gifts to gather, hugs to give.

I kissed my husband beneath the stars. “Take me home.”

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