Page 54 of Omega Island
“You can finish tomorrow. It’s not like I’m paying you.”
I laughed.
I didn’t realize when I married him that Senta had ninety percent of his wealth tied up in a trust to keep the island running. We’d never discussed finances. He never made me sign a pre-nup, which now that I knew the leftovers were still in the hundreds of millions, surprised me.
But I didn’t care about money. I cared about him. And I loved getting into projects with my hands. I was great at handy work, building and fixing things. The island had its own maintenance crew, but sometimes projects got behind and I was eager to volunteer.
“Come on,” Senta called. “I’m hungry.”
I stood up and made my way to the ladder. Roof maintenance was a big deal here. It rained so much and sometimes the winds shot across the parkland with hurricane force. I’d done construction with my father during my college years, and it was fun getting back into the outdoor work, re-learning the ropes, stretching my limbs. My humanities degree was mostly for show anyway.
When I reached the ground, Senta looked me over as I unbuckled my toolbelt.
“Show off,” he said.
“What?” I spread my hands in innocence. But I was damp and buff and tan and I knew I’d come a long way from the first day he’d seen me. I’d put on weight, mostly muscle, and I was happier than I could ever remember being.
He put his hand on my bare shoulder and leaned in for a kiss. “Come on.” He stepped back, his eyes shining. “A quick shower and then we’re going to the dining room.”
“Sounds good.” My stomach growled as I was already planning what I might order.
Out of habit, I touched my pockets. These shorts were baggy and I wanted to make sure I hadn’t lost my phone. I felt the lump in my back pocket, then felt around the other back pocket. I reached in with my fingers and touched the folded paper of Senta’s vows. It was well-worn now. I’d asked him to give it to me on the night of our wedding and I kept it with me always wherever I went.
When we got back to the house, Senta decided to shower with me, so it ended up not being quick. Neither of us complained.
As we walked to the dining hall, the sky put on a brilliant show, streaked a deep bright pink by the time we passed the lagoon. Three dolphins were playing, leaping around each other and calling out in their chirruping voices.
Often, Senta sat at a long table with many guests when we ate out for dinner. But tonight, we arrived later than usual. We got a table for two by the windows overlooking the darkening sea.
I hitched up my soft kimono as I sat and turned toward the view. “I never forget how lucky I am,” I said. “I met you when my world was bleak. And you repainted it like this.”
“I could say the same,” he replied. “I don’t know why I had that odd heat. Did my body predict you coming here? Did some part of me know?”
“Fate? Luck? You said we make our own.”
“I believe that. But with you, I feel like anything is possible.” He smiled wide. “And I like to think some part of me knew. You are just that special.”
Even after months together, he could still make my face flush with his pretty words. It was one reason I kept his vows close to me always. I loved the fluttery way my chest felt in his presence, and how my skin tingled all over. My hand pressed my kimono pocket.
The waiter came and we both gave our order.
“So.” Senta leaned forward on his elbows. “Have you given any more thought as to where you’d like to go for our vacation this winter?”
Senta kept homes in France, Italy, and Amsterdam. He also had a place in Florida and a huge cabin in upstate New York. But we spent most of our time in the Caribbean.
“Some place cold. With snow,” I said. I loved the tropics, but I’d sweated enough that I deserved some snow.
“Lovely idea.”
“But I don’t ski. I just want to build a snowman and have hot chocolate by the fire.”
“I’ll teach you to ski,” Senta said.
“Virtual skiing maybe,” I hedged.
He laughed. “You’re so physical, so active. Swimming. Volleyball. Golf. Climbing on cabin rooftops. I’m surprised.”
In truth, I wanted to try everything with Senta. I wanted to go to all his homes in all the different countries. I wanted to see him in all kinds of fashions and show him off to the world as if to say, “He’s mine. All mine.”
