Page 55 of Summer on Sunshine Bay

David pulled out the chair beside hers. “I’m sorry,” he said, taking her hand in his and pressing a gentle kiss on the red mark left by the coffee.

“I can’t do this anymore, David. It’s not healthy. It’s not good for the baby.”

“I know it’s not. I’m sorry—”

“Sorrydoesn’t cut it anymore. It doesn’t mean anything unless you actually plan to stop doing what you’re apologizing for.”

“That’s not fair. This is not all on me, Lila. I’m not the one who decided they preferred to live with their father or the one who decided they needed a prenup because they don’t have faith that we can make our marriage work or the one who was having dinner with another man when—”

“Really, David? I was having dinner with a client. I didn’t say anything when you stood me up to have dinner with a client, did I?”

“That was different.”

“How was it different?”

“Come on, Lila. I’m talking about a weeklong convention with a hundred and fifty dentists. And this guy owns what, a little paddleboat shop?”

She shook her head and went to stand up. “I’m done. We had this same argument yesterday. Just like we had the same argument about the prenup and me living with my dad.”

“I’m… You’re right. I’m being a jealous ass. Your mom, and your dad apparently, like the guy, and I guess I’m feeling a little insecure.” He reached for her hand. “Please, sit down. Have a pastry with me?” He opened the box and, with a familiar, sweet smile, offered her one.

She sighed. “My mom hasn’t gotten a chance to know you, not the real you. Because, I have to be honest, David, you’ve been a bit of a jerk with her.”

“Me? What about…” He held up his hand. “You’re right. Maybe the four of us could spend some time together.”

“That’s a good idea,” she said, taking a bite of a pastry. She swallowed, wiping the powdered sugar from her mouth. “This is really good.”

“Better than your mother’s?” he asked with a teasing grin.

She relaxed in the chair. “Close, but don’t tell her I said so.”

He sat back and stretched out his legs as he looked around. “This place is incredible.”

“You didn’t seem to think so when I told you yesterday morning that my dad had given it to us as a wedding present.”

He raised an eyebrow, and she winced. “You’re right. No more wedding talk, and no more rehashing our arguments.”

“But to be fair,” he said, “you have a point. In my defense, I’d just had an argument with my dad about my mom helping yours with the renos at La Dolce Vita. It didn’t help that my brother was there and egging him on.”

“You should’ve told me.”

“It didn’t go so well when I did,” he said, and nodded at the red mark on her hand.

“What’s happened to us? We never fought. We were always on the same page.”

“Do you ever wish we’d stayed in London? We could’ve kept our same jobs. Nothing would’ve changed.”

He was right. They would’ve had the same life, albeit with a baby. But as bad as the last week had been, she could honestly say she hadn’t thought about moving back to London. “We could probably catch the red-eye if you’re interested.”

“Probably,” he said with a smile. “But as difficult as dealing with my father has been, I’m really enjoying the job, and there’s something about Sunshine Bay that’s growing on me.” He gestured at the sailboats skimming over the water. “I mean, look at this view. It’s incredible. And this place—never in a million years could we afford something like this. And yes, before you ask, I’m signing the prenup. I just have to wait for my dad’s lawyer to go over it.”

She leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth. “Thank you.”

He turned his head and gave her a sweet, gentle kiss. “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed us.”

She rested her head on his shoulder and looped her arm through his. “You can stay here, you know. It’s your house too.”

“I appreciate the offer, but right now, I think it’s better that I stay at Windemere. I don’t trust my brother not to undermine me with my father.”

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