Page 44 of Her Athlete's Wedding Secret

“I’m glad you approve,” Benson said. “This is a taste of what your life will be like now.”

Tessa’s head spun just thinking about it. She knew Benson was loaded. A simple internet search confirmed that, but it was a different thing altogether to experience that wealth firsthand. To think that she almost turned all this down.

They got checked in, and Benson led her to their room. When he opened the door, she gasped. “Where’s the fourth wall?”

“These rooms are open air.”

“So the entire room is one giant balcony?”

“Pretty much.”

“And we get our own infinity pool?” She walked up to the water. Decorative stones and lush foliage dotted the spaces around the pool. “I didn’t even know places like this existed.”

“These rooms are in high demand. Usually, you have to book them years in advance, but I was able to make a few phone calls to get this room for us.”

“Of course. Because you’re Benson Patrick.”

“Yes. It’s a nice job perk. But I did it for you. I wanted you to have the best experience. I’m sorry this isn’t real for you. At least we can have fun in the meantime.”

“Fun? This is your idea of fun? To me, it’s playing board games or something normal people do. This is more like an exotic experience.”

“We’re only getting started. Tomorrow we’re setting sail at sunset with cocktails and appetizers.”

“That sounds amazing.”

“You don’t get seasick, do you?”

“I don’t think so. I’ve never been on a boat like that before.” Tessa was excited about all the adventures they had to look forward to. She put her suitcase on the bed and started unloading it. She found her laptop and took it to the desk. She took a seat and opened it up. “I’m going to check to see if I heard back on any of the jobs I applied to.” She clicked into her email and found a response there. “Guess what?”

“What?” Benson came out of the bathroom. He’d changed into clothes for dinner.

“I got a job interview. They want me to come in the Monday after we get back.”

“Congratulations! That’s great news. Who’s the job with?”

“It’s a sports magazine.”

“I have a feeling you’ll be getting a lot more job interviews in the future. Just wait until we start going to swanky parties, and you meet the CEOs of these companies in person.”

Tessa shut her laptop. “I think I’m going to get dressed for dinner. I’m in the mood to celebrate.” She pulled a floral maxi dress from her suitcase. She put on her swimsuit underneath so she could take off the dress later when they went to the beach. She put on her new white bikini she’d bought for the occasion. Sariah had gone shopping with her and insisted that she buy it.

Tessa felt bad that she hadn’t told her best friend that her marriage wasn’t a traditional one. Maybe after things settled down with Benson’s coach, she would confide in her friend.

“I heard the Mahi Mahi is fantastic at the restaurant we’re about to go to,” Benson told her.

They walked through the breezy walkways toward the restaurant. Lush potted plants surrounded them. She could smell the salty air coming off the shore. “I might have to try it.”

“Have you ever had it?”

“Nope,” she said. “But I love trying new foods. Especially if they come highly recommended.”

“That’s the spirit,” Benson said. “Maybe I’ll get it too.”

“Or you get something else and we can share. That way we get to try out more of the menu.”

“You mean you won’t mind my cooties?” Benson teased.

“I think I got enough of those yesterday. I’m immune now.”

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