How to Honeymoon Alone

by Olivia Hayle

“I get the sense that you’re not feeling like your best self,” I say. “If you want to talk about it, I’m a good listener. But it’s perfectly all right if you don’t want to.”

A hand curves lightly around my waist, and then his voice is by my ear. His breath tickles my skin. “Sit back properly, Eden,” he says. “It’s safer.”

He turns to face me fully. “You’ve been looking for me?” he asks and sounds inordinately pleased by that fact.

“Oh, Eden, it definitely does,” he says. “I like winning… and I like making sure the woman I’m with wins, too. Several times.”

He puts down his bottle. “God, you’re crazy.” “Yes, but you like a bit of vacation crazy, don’t you? Oh, come with me. It’s going to be amazing.”

“Keeping secrets, Meyer? From your new wife?” He chuckles. “Only ones she’s not ready to hear, yeah.”

“Do you want to get murdered and give me a story?” His eyes widen, and then he smiles. It lights up his tanned face. “By you? Any day.”

He kisses my lips gently before tracing the edge of my jaw. “I didn't expect this, Eden. I didn't expect you.”

“I have no idea,” he says. “I don't know what I've been doing this entire trip.” “Vacation self,” I murmur. He runs his fingers over my wet hair before coming to rest on the bare skin of my neck. “Maybe,” he says quietly. “Or maybe it's just me, and it’s just you.”

“Good thing you’re a self-controlled lawyer with the discipline of steel.” He glances down at my legs. “I used to be,” he mutters. “Now, I’m someone who competes in sack racing.”

“You know, this is technically our second honeymoon.” “It is,” he says and squeezes my hand. “And it’ll be our best one yet.”