Page 179 of Better When Shared
“Hamish?”
My helmet was not the disguise I’d hoped it to be.
“Surprise?” I offered weakly, doing jazz hands. Why had I done jazz hands?
Makai blinked at me, and I could see the realization dawning. “Wedding Lady is your wife? Fuck me. That explains a lot.”
She stood motionless, opening and closing her mouth, as if she couldn’t quite process what she was seeing. “What are you... How did you... Is that a…” She cleared her throat. “I mean, it’s lovely to see you!”
If she was using her manners, I was well and truly stuffed.
I climbed off the bike with unsteady legs, carefully dropping the kickstand, then pulling off my gloves, yanking my helmet, and trying to wipe some of the dirt from my face.
Makai let out a little sound like he was trying not to laugh. I gathered I was only making things worse.
Imogen was staring at my dirtbike like it might bite her. She shook herself, then looked up at me again. “When did you get to San Juan Island?”
I scratched the back of my head, cheeks heating. “I… got here four days ago. I wanted to surprise you.”
“Four days?” She looked between Makai and me, comprehension dawning. “You were there yesterday. In his truck. You were the one who dashed into the truck and hid!”
I nodded, feeling heat rise to my face. “I panicked. I wasn’t ready for you to see me yet.”
“I’m so confused.” Her tone was impossible to read—not quite anger, but definitely not joy.
“You and I both,” Makai muttered.
“I wanted to do some things first,” I explained, dismounting the bike and taking a hesitant step toward her. “To show you I could be... different. More adventurous. Less of a boring fuddy-duddy.”
Her expression softened, but confusion remained. “So you’ve been what—taking surf lessons? From him?” She gestured toward Makai, who was watching our reunion with undisguised interest.
“And dirt biking,” I ran a hand through my helmet-flattened hair. “Also kayaking. I’m trying new things.”
“You hate new things,” she said, but there was something in her eyes now—a glimmer of wonder, perhaps. “For the last fifteen years, you’ve refused to try a new brand of tea.”
Makai choked on a laugh.
“That’s different. Yorkshire Gold is sacred.” I took another step toward her.
“Invite her to join us tomorrow,” Makai said, leaning on his handlebars.
“What?” Imogen spun and faced him.
“Hamish booked a sailing excursion tomorrow. It’ll be perfect. The boat is plenty big enough for us all, and you can see your husband’s transformation for yourself, and he can show off in a controlled environment.”
I panicked, realizing the two people who occupied my every sexual fantasy would be together on the same small boat. “Imogen is here working, she might not have time for—”
“Of course she has time. We’re heading out around ten from the Hollis Cove Marina. I’m only bringing brands of tea he hasn’t tried.”
I flipped him off without breaking eye contact with my wife, and he laughed again.
“What? I don’t even know where to get Berkshire Gold.”
“Yorkshire! It’s Yorkshire Gold,” I huffed, then cleared my throat and smiled down at Imogen. “But he’s right. You could come sailing, if you like.”
“I was planning to get caught up on some work.”
“All work and no play...” Makai shrugged. “Besides, I don’t get why Hamish thinks he’s the boring one in this relationship. At least he’s willing to try new things.”
