Page 21 of While You're There
Tori shook her head slightly, reveling in her own disbelief. “I know,” she admitted. “I’m glad Rhett was so on top of everything we’d have to do to pull this off.”
Speaking of Rhett… It was almost five p.m. now, so she assumed he was done with interviews for the day. Tori slipped her phone out of her pocket and shot off a quick text.
V: I’m currently holding one of our wedding invitations!!
Ev: Hey, beautiful. It’s so good to hear from you. What do you think? Do you like them? I’ve only seen the PDF proofs.
V: They’re gorgeous. You should see your house right now. Your mom has Maddie and Lia stuffing envelopes.
Ev: Yeah, I got the impression she was going full speed ahead. I hope that’s okay?
V: It’s more than okay. I’m grateful you two have it covered.
Ev: I can’t wait to marry you, V. And I really can’t wait for the honeymoon.
Tori stared down at her phone, puzzled. Honeymoon? They hadn’t talked about any sort of honeymoon. Between rushing to pull together the wedding and Rhett moving to Virginia the first weekend in June, there wasn’t time for anything else.
V: What honeymoon?
Ev: The honeymoon I’ve been secretly planning since the moment you agreed to marry me.
Tori’s eyes went wide as she read his message.
“Who are you texting, Tor?” Lia asked.
Tori glanced up at her friend from across the table and shot her a pointed look.“Who do you think I’m texting?”
“Tell my brother I said hi,” Maddie chimed in as Lia muttered something about “just checking” under her breath.
V: I didn’t think we would be able to go on a honeymoon. I thought you have to be in Virginia the first weekend of June?
Ev: You thought I was going to miss out on the opportunity to take you on a real vacation? I’d be more inclined to skip the actual wedding than our honeymoon.
V: You’re crazy!!
Ev: Yeah, crazy about you.
A second text came through before she could reply.
Ev: I can’t wait to marry you, but I feel bad we’ve had to rush everything. I want to take my wife on a real honeymoon. We have time. We have almost a full week between the wedding and when I need to be in Norfolk, and our health insurance won’t kick in until June 1 anyways. You in?
V: I’m in. Where are we going?
Ev: Let me worry about that. It’s someplace you’ve never been. I want to surprise you.
V: Can I have a hint?
Ev: There will be sand.
Tori grinned from ear to ear at the thought of a sandy beach vacation with Rhett. Just the two of them. Together. Married.
V: I love you.
Ev: I love you too. Call me tonight before you go to bed, okay?
“Tori, what can I order you for dinner?” Anne asked from across the island in the kitchen. “I’m just going to call in so we can get as much done as possible.” Tori set her phone down before turning to reply.
“I can’t stay for dinner. I’m so sorry. I promised my dad we’d eat together, then I have plans tonight.”
