“Somewhere close, private, and very mystic.”
Her body freezes and she sucks in a deep breath. I watch in fascination as the pieces fall together. That was the first and only clue she’s gotten about the location of our real honeymoon. It wasn’t until last night that I told her our time here in St. Lucia was merely a two-day layover.
Her thighs loosen and all sexual play halts. “You didn’t,” is no more than a whisper.
“I did.”
“You remembered.”
“I remember everything.”
&n
bsp; She calls me on the lie by raising an eyebrow in question. “Okay, maybe I don’t remember everything, but this was important.”
What I don’t tell her is that this specific detail was a memory triggered by a photo on Nick’s wall. It was his last college home game, and she had taken the picture of my family on the field. Bizzy had jumped on Nick’s back, her face tilted to his. Mom, Dad, and Shaw all focused on them. But not me, my eyes were on Claire as she encouraged us to scream in victory. That was five months after I met her and we’d shared countless calls, texts, and stolen a few private hours when I was in town.
That night, after the festivities died down, she snuck into my hotel room, and we had our own celebration. I couldn’t keep my hands off her, loving the way she felt in my arms and missing her from the last visit to town. We knew our time was limited, so I spent as much time worshipping her body as I could before she had to leave.
When I looked closely at the picture, my infatuation for her was written all over my face. Our conversation replayed in my head, and I knew, no matter what it took, Claire was going to her dream destination for our honeymoon.
“I wish you weren’t leaving tomorrow.” She slides her hand around my neck and massages the muscles gently.
“Me too.”
“You seem stressed lately. Is something wrong?”
“Nothing specific, general life is chaotic.”
“Every time we’ve spoken the last month, you’ve been distracted.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell her honestly. “This residency is kicking my ass. College, medical school, internship… none of that compares to these demands.”
“Sounds grueling.”
“Wait until you enter the medical working world; you’ll understand.”
“It’s hard to believe we’re graduating in less than six months. I’ll finally be a nurse.”
“And you’ll do great.” I squeeze her hip.
She props on her elbow, keeping her other hand at my neck. “I think you need a vacation. That would help relieve stress.”
“Grunt residents like myself don’t have time for a vacation. It’s not in my three-year plan. I’m lucky to get away these weekends to watch Nick play.”
“Hmmm, that sucks. You should go to Mustique.”
“Why Mustique?”
“I hear it’s a magical, exotic paradise.”
“Sounds like you want to go.”
“I’d love to.”
“Didn’t you mention your parents taking you on a graduation trip?”
“Yeah, but that’s not a place you go with your parents. It’s a place you go with someone you love. Maybe I’m crazy, but in my mind, it’s a place for romance.” An undeniable sparkle lights her eyes.