Page 120 of Falling Overboard

“I can do that,” he said, pulling out his phone and searching it. “I found somewhere. Come on.”

And while I’d been expecting some quaint little bed-and-breakfast, he led me to a castle on a cliff, overlooking the ocean.

“Hunter, I was kidding about the ‘someplace nice’ part. I just meant without roaches,” I said, feeling a little bit awed as he led me inside.

“I’m pretty sure there’s no roaches here. They wouldn’t dare.” He gave me a wink as he took me over to the front desk. He asked if they had a room available tonight.

The woman at the computer was older, her silver hair tied back in a severe bun. She peered at us from over her glasses. “Two guests for one room? For one night?”

There seemed to be an underlying implication there that he picked up on and then ran with it in a direction that surprised me. “Yes, it will be for my wife and me.”

Her entire demeanor changed. A smile lit up her face. “Are you on your honeymoon?”

“We are! We’re traveling along the Amalfi Coast and had to stop in your beautiful city. My wife’s grandparents are from here.”

“Let me see what we have.” She typed on her keyboard and then after a few seconds said, “I have the honeymoon suite available, if you would like it.”

“We’ll take it,” Hunter said, handing over a credit card.

A black credit card.

I’d only ever seen charter guests use a card like that before.

Another small reminder of how different our lives were.

But does it matter?that voice inside me asked.Who cares if you grew up differently? The only thing that matters now is how well you get along. And you love being together.

It was true. We never ran out of things to talk about. I never got tired of him, never wanted space. I wanted to see him first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I wanted to share everything with him, tell him all my stories and hear all his. I even loved his puns, although I’d never admit to it.

He was my favorite person in the whole world.

And I was madly, desperately, unequivocally, head over heels in love with him.

“Here you are, young newlyweds. We hope you enjoy your stay with us.” The woman handed us our key cards. We thanked her and then headed to the elevators.

I pushed the up button and we waited.

He said, “You know, I didn’t even ask if you wanted separate rooms. I shouldn’t have just assumed—”

I slipped my hand into his. “You didn’t have to ask. I don’t want to be anywhere except with you.”

The elevator arrived and the doors opened and we stepped inside. He pushed the button for the top floor.

“Your wife, huh?” I asked as the elevator doors closed.

“The desk clerk seemed like the disapproving type.”

“I don’t think I know any men who would pretend to be married. Most of them are trying to avoid the institution at all costs.”

The elevator doors opened. “I’m not like most guys.”

That was the truth.

Our room was at the end of the hallway. Hunter used the key card and opened the door, sticking his foot at the bottom. “Come here.”

I walked over. “What are you—”

Before I could finish my sentence, he had swung me up into his arms. “As your pretend husband, I have to carry you across the threshold.”

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