Page 31 of When Forever Comes

The dolphins are about twenty yards out and have made no moves to leave anytime soon.

I feel West’s chest press against my back. Apparently, I’ve been too absorbed in watching my favorite animal play in the water and didn’t hear him get in.

He leans closer and his breath in my ear weakens my knees. “You are the woman of my dreams, exactly as you are. Never forget that.” His arm wraps around me and he pulls me against his firm body. “There’s not a thing I’d change.”

His words heat me, their sincerity shining through each syllable. So much so that I start to believe him.

After pressing a kiss to my cheek, he tells me to cover my ears. I do as he says, then he whistles, the sound muffled yet shrill as he calls the dolphins in closer.

I remove my hands from my ears. “They follow your commands?” I ask, not hiding my surprise.

“I may have downplayed my involvement with this crew.” He runs a hand through his hair, mussing the usual neat style. “We’ve spent quite a few days together.”

“Obviously.” I playfully roll my eyes and he smirks.

West releases me and swims out closer to the pod. His arms flex and his back muscles ripple with each stroke.

“Where can I get one of those?” Dana asks in a dreamy tone.

Irrational jealousy flares.

“I don’t know, but you can’t have mine.”

She shoves my shoulder. “You never were good at sharing. Not that it matters in this case. That man only has eyes for you.”

* * *

We spend the next hour swimming and playing with the dolphins.

West fulfilled one of my lifelong dreams today. Years ago, I told him about my silly fantasy to swim with dolphins. But not dolphins in a zoo or an aquarium — wild dolphins in the sea. West made it possible.

This week has been the absolute best week of my life. We went scuba diving on the coral reefs. Dined on his yacht, miles away from land. From morning until night, he’s shared this life with me. He’s even made sure Dana is entertained since he’s monopolized all of my time – not that I’m complaining. After she eats breakfast with us, she has some sort of treatment done at the spa, plays tennis with other tourists, complete with her own private instructor – who I suspect she is secretly crushing on.

West has spared no expense, luxury, or thought when it comes to me. If he’s trying to make up for the past, it’s done. He has more than made up for leaving.

He’s given me the world… while I’ve given him nothing.

TWELVE

WEST

My phone vibrates with an incoming call as I pull the ATV into its parking spot. I clench my jaw when I see the name on the caller ID. I excuse myself from Olivia and Dana to answer it.

“What’s wrong?” Olivia asks after I hang up and return.

I run my hand through my hair. “The owner of Lucky Palms wants to have dinner tonight.”

Olivia’s face falls, but she quickly tries to mask it with a smile. “That’s okay. I know you still have a business to run. Me and Dana will manage.”

“I don’t want to go,” I tell her.

“Then don’t,” Dana adds nonchalantly.

Olivia swats her sister’s arm. “West has things he needs to do. We don’t need to make him feel guilty for living his life.” There’s something off about her tone and it sets me on edge.

“Come with me.” It’s more of a command than a request.

“Go with you to your business dinner? Won’t that look unprofessional?” she asks.

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