If she could just see that they were good for each other. There had to be a way to make her see him as more than the goofy kid who planted one on her in the middle of his backyard. Then maybe he could have a life with her.
He’d told her they could take a break from reality, but if she was serious about being his assistant, he’d have an opportunity in New York to show her that maybe the break from reality didn’t have to end. They could create a new reality. Maybe they could date, and she could fall in love with him over time. Maybe things weren’t as hopeless as he’d always thought.
Chapter 19
The next day, Peyton held Gus’s hand as they walked to get lunch at the restaurant. She loved taking care of Gus in the bungalow, but she was also glad they were getting out and doing something. Because she’d had to wake him up every two hours the first day, he’d used the second day to recover from that. Not to mention those meds the doctor prescribed. Those things were like horse tranquilizers. Two of them, and he was out. He’d felt much better this morning and decided he didn’t need them anymore.
Just before they reached the restaurant, Justine called from behind them, and they turned.
“Hey! I was looking for you two,” she said as she slowed to a stop. “How are you feeling?”
Gus smiled. “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”
Justine fingered the necklace she was wearing. “You were so brave. I’ve never seen anything like that before. I mean, I’ve read about it and seen videos shared on social media, but in person? Never.”
His cheeks turned pink, and it was simply adorable.
Peyton squeezed his hand. “He was brave and wonderful.”
“Stop.” The pink in his cheeks darkened a shade.
Justine’s eyebrows knitted together, and it seemed as though she was debating with herself. “I know you had a harrowing experience and you’re probably recovering still, but I was wondering if you two would take the island tour with me today. It’s very relaxing, and we’ll just be sitting there, watching the sights. The bus may stop at a few spots, but you’re under no obligation to leave the bus.”
“I don’t know,” Peyton said. “He’s still a little wiped out. I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
Gus tucked a piece of Peyton’s hair behind her ear. “I think it’ll be okay.”
Justine seemed to wilt with relief. “Thank you so much. I think this will be one of the best articles we’ve ever printed. No tooting my own horn, but your story is so sweet, and I witnessed something incredible. I’d love to have your romance to go along with it.”
“Sure,” Gus said. “I’m drawing a blank on the time the tour starts.”
Peyton rubbed her thumb over one of the cuts on his forearm. “Are you sure?”
The corners of his lips quirked up. “I’m sure. It’s just riding around.”
Justine grinned. “Awesome! Uh, I think the next tour is around three in the afternoon, but I’ll double-check and let you know.”
“Okay,” he said. “We’ll go grab a bite while you do that. You can find us in the restaurant once you find out the time.”
“Great. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Justine spun on her heels and nearly danced away.
Peyton stepped in front of him. “Are you really sure you want to take an island tour with Justine? I know you don’t feel good.”
He took her by the shoulders. “I’m fine. We’ll go have lunch, and it’ll be good. She’ll get her interview, and maybe she’ll back off a little. Besides, how difficult can it be to sit on a bus, looking at the Hawaiian scenery?”
“Okay, but if at any point you want to return, you speak up. I know you’re still sore. I can see it by the way you move.”
He slid his hands down her arms and took her hands in his. “Thank you for watching out for me.”
She wanted so badly to kiss him, but she didn’t want to kiss him again without telling him she loved him. And standing in the middle of the walkway with guests passing by wasn’t the ideal location. He had been too medicated and tired to tell him during his recovery days. The other night when they were on the beach alone, dancing. That’s what she wanted. A moment alone where she could tell him and then smother him in kisses…if he felt the same way.
“Let’s get you something to eat,” she said. “We’ll both need full stomachs for a tour of the island.”
Gus nodded and kept his hand in hers as he pulled her into a stroll. “I’m glad you got to come.”
“Me too. I keep saying thank you, but it just doesn’t seem adequate. I’ve had so much fun.”
“I have too. It wouldn’t have been nearly as great if you weren’t here.”
Once they reached the restaurant, Gus held the door for her, and they found a table on the patio just outside the door. Instead of sitting across from Gus, she sat next to him. The breeze was steady, but it wasn’t cold, which was nice. A waiter came over and took their drink orders and left them menus.
“So, after the tour, what do you want to do?” asked Gus.
She shook her head. “Oh, no. You’re the broken guy. You pick.”
He snorted. “Broken guy? I’m not broken. Bruised maybe, but I take offense at broken.”
Peyton shrugged. “I call ’em as I see ’em.” She leaned over and kissed him.
“You kissed me.”
“We’re in public, and we’re newlyweds.”
“Is that the only reason?”
She swallowed hard. What could she say? She didn’t want to tell him anything until they were alone. “I have to make it look good, right?”
He nodded. “Yeah, you do.” His voice sounded strained, but she couldn’t understand why.
“Are you okay?”
Justine sidled up to the table and leaned her hip against it. “Hey, guys. I got the time. It’s three like I thought. We’re supposed to meet out front of the lobby.”
“That sounds great. We’ll see you out there,” Gus said.
Justine’s gaze darted from Gus to Peyton. “I swear you two are just the cutest, but I think all newlyweds are. They just have this new-love glow about them.” She laughed. “Okay, I’ll see you later. Enjoy your lunch.”
They watched her walk away, and Peyton leaned into him. “We have a glow.”
“I heard that, and I guess it’s a good thing. That means we’re making it believable, so there’s that.”
He was beaten up and sore, and Peyton wanted to throttle him. Making it believable. Ugh! Of course it was believable. She was pretty much in love with him. “Well, we’ve been best friends for a long time. It’s not that hard to do.”
“Peyton…I…” He smiled. “You’re right. It is easy. I think that’s why we’ve been friends for so long. It’s comfortable, and I’d hate to do anything to ruin that.”
Her heart felt as though it had been dumped in a blender, but she held the tsunami of hurt in, giving her best smile. “Me too. It’s going to be so much fun living in New York. You’ll have to help me find an apartment.”
“I will, but in the meantime, you can share mine. It’s big enough for both of us. You can even tie a ribbon on the door when you’ve got company, and I’ll hang out at Ty’s.” As he said it, he turned away and took a deep breath.
She touched his arm. “What’s wrong?”
He returned his gaze to hers. “Nothing. I’m fine.” He looked…almost sick.
“I don’t like this. If you don’t feel good, we can go another day. Justine will understand.”
He covered her hand with his. “No, really, I’m fine. Just…excited to have you with me in New York.”
“I’m excited too, and I’m not going to be hanging any ribbons. I’m not moving to New York to spend time with other people. I’m moving there to take care of you.”
“Yeah, but you won’t need to take care of me all the time. You’ll make friends and go out.”
Did he really think that? She couldn’t picture herself wanting to spend time without him. Of course, girl day
s, but that was different. Sometimes a woman needs to gripe about a man’s stinky feet and weird habits.
“Gus, I like spending time with you. You’re my favorite person on the planet. When I get to New York, we have several years of hanging out to catch up on. I plan to collect, too.”
He held her gaze as a smile stretched on his lips. “Tell my assistant my nights are booked for the foreseeable future as my best friend has claimed them.”
She giggled. “Exactly. I’ll make sure she pencils them in.”
Gus put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “I’ve missed you. I know I’ve said it, but I don’t think you know how much. Things are dull when you aren’t in the picture.”
Warmth spread through her. If she wasn’t sure before, she was sure now. She loved him. Once they were in New York, she’d figure out a way to show him. Being on the island wasn’t the right time. Knowing Gus, he’d say she was just getting caught up in all the romance. But she wasn’t. She loved him with her whole heart. When she finally told him, she hoped he felt the same way. Otherwise, she didn’t know what she’d do. Life without him…would be awful.
Chapter 20
Touring Hawaii on New Year’s Eve would be great, if Gus and Peyton were alone. As it stood, Justine was turned around in the seat in front of them, asking them questions and periodically taking their picture. It was the strangest thing to Gus. How could her readers be that interested in him? Or was it just her?
“So, you two have known each other since you were nine. What was it like in high school? Was there already a spark there?” Justine asked as she snapped another picture.
Peyton shook her head. “No, we were best friends. This was recent.”
No spark? Just friends. It wasn’t like that was the first time she’d said it, but it didn’t make it sting any less.
Justine turned to Gus. “What brought it about?” She held up a finger. “Oops, almost forgot to hit record again.” She tapped a button and nodded the go-ahead to answer.
Gus was dumbstruck. He had no idea how to answer. Why did she have to keep asking questions he didn’t want to answer? Questions that seemed to prick at him. He’d nearly thrown up during lunch when the idea hit that he might have to be around Peyton as she fell in love with another loser. As much as he wanted something more, she was insistent on being friends. If she wasn’t, wouldn’t she have said something? “I…it just happened.”
“What he means is that we realized being friends was a great foundation for a relationship. We made sense,” Peyton said.
Justine nodded. “I can see that. I know you said you said you were married in the courthouse. Do you guys plan to have an official ceremony sometime soon? An intimate wedding with friends and family?”
“We haven’t made any plans,” he said.
“Yeah, as I said on the beach the other day, we didn’t need big or fancy. Just each other.” Peyton smiled.
Justine nodded. “Oh yeah! I’m sorry. I’ve asked so many questions that I’d forgotten I already asked that one. I just know most little girls dream of a big wedding. Surely you did too.”
Gus knew the answer to that question was a resounding yes. The first time Peyton got engaged, she called and told him her plans. He could recall with clarity the excitement in her voice, how fast she talked, and especially the part where she wanted him in her wedding. At the time, he was grateful he was in New York so she couldn’t see him turning green.
His gaze lowered to the bus floor, and without thinking, he said, “She wanted a beach ceremony with friends and family. She wanted the dress to be organza so that when the breeze blew, it would float around her. No shoes because who wears shoes in the sand. And she wanted the groom to be in dark slacks and a white untucked button-up.”
“You remember that?” Peyton’s voice jarred him out of his thoughts.
He lifted his gaze and met hers. “Of course. When you talk, I listen.”
“That has to be the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard,” Justine said.
Peyton nodded and whispered, “Yeah, it sure was.” She pressed her lips to his. “He’s the sweetest ever.”
It took Gus off guard for a breath before he remembered she’d most likely only kissed him because Justine was sitting right there.
“If a beach wedding is what you want, then why not have one while you’re here?” Justine asked.
Gus’s eyes widened. “Uh, I don’t think she had a matchmaker resort in mind when she was thinking beach wedding.”
Peyton chuckled. “Not really, but I have to admit it sure is pretty here. I could see people renting the resort for wedding parties.”
Justine nodded. “That’s just what I was thinking. This would be an incredible wedding venue. Private beach, bungalows for guest, and an on-site restaurant. It would be fantastic. Have you considered doing that?”
Gus shook his head. “No, I hadn’t, but it’s something to think about. I may have to run that past Ty. See what he thinks.”
Peyton nodded. “It is a pretty good idea.”
“Okay, back to the happy couple,” Justine said. “So, will you be having a ceremony when you get back to Juneau, then?”
“Oh, I don’t think so,” Peyton said as she snuggled closer to Gus. “I’m happy with what I have.”
Justine’s eyebrows knitted together. “The guests leave before noon tomorrow, after their New Year’s Day brunch. You could have something small after they leave. I mean, if your dream wedding is to have one on the beach, why not?”
Gus swallowed hard. What should he do? If he said nothing, he’d look like a cheapskate keeping his bride from having the wedding of her dreams. Even if Peyton said she was okay with it, he should be sensitive enough to know better. “Uh…well, we don’t have enough time. There’s a cake, invitations, her dress…”
“And I’m not sure I could find a dress on such short notice,” Peyton said. The look on her face said she was as panicked as he was.
Justine nodded. “Well, what if you could find a dress? And what if the cake could be made in time? If we look for a dress and we don’t find one, no big deal. Nothing lost. But if we do, then you can have your wedding here in this beautiful spot and be the first couple to be married here. Kind of like a way to christen the place.”
Before they could respond, the bus stopped, and the driver instructed everyone to enjoy themselves and be back and ready to go in twenty minutes. Everyone filtered out, and Gus put his arm around Peyton’s shoulders. “Uh, Justine, Peyton and I are going to take a minute to talk, okay?”
“Sure.” She smiled.
They walked away from the guests and kept going until they were sure they could speak in private. He pulled his arm from her shoulders and raked his hand through his hair. “I didn’t know what to say. I know you want that kind of wedding, and I know you wouldn’t be happy with just a courthouse wedding. I felt like a jerk just sitting there.”
Peyton laughed. “This just keeps getting bigger, doesn’t it?”
He laughed with her. “Like that volcano project in middle school. By the time we were done, we had red lava hitting the gym ceiling.”
She covered her mouth with her hand and snickered louder. “What are we gonna do?”
“What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. I mean, she makes a valid point, but my parents are in Jamaica, and my sister is in Juneau. There’s no way we could do what she’s suggesting, even if we wanted to.”
Gus shrugged. “So, that’s what we’ll tell her. At least we get to be honest with this part.”
“True, but she sure is persistent, isn’t she?”
“You have no idea. She’s been on me about my bachelor status since the app took off. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with all of this. I know you wanted to come here and relax, to forget about life for a bit and rest.”
Peyton hugged him around the waist, laying her head against his chest. “I’ve had the best time ever with you. Justine hasn’t detracted from that
at all. I can’t think of a better thing to do than spend time with my best friend. And knowing it doesn’t have to end when I get back makes it even better.”
Gus gritted his teeth and swallowed the lump in his throat, but he couldn’t stop himself from wrapping his arms around her. He loved her. At that moment, he knew, he knew, he was never going to love anyone like he loved her. He had no idea how he would ever manage to get over her enough to move on, or if it was even possible. But right then, holding her, he felt like he’d been shattered.
“Guys!” Justine called as she approached. “Hey!”
Gus loosened his hold, and Peyton turned to her. “What?” she asked.
“I just talked to a friend in New York. Now, I’m calling in some favors, but I can get you a wedding dress, and I know it’ll be amazing. Gwen Hartley, the designer, has offered one to you.”
Peyton’s jaw dropped. “What?”
“I told her your story. How you’ve been friends since you were nine and all about your romance. She’s such a romantic that she practically jumped at the opportunity to have you wear one of her designs.” Justine looked so pleased with herself.
Gus was frozen. Peyton had just called him best friend. How was he supposed to marry her, knowing she didn’t love him? Then annul their marriage. “Well, the cake.”
“I’m sure if you call around, one of the bakers on the island would love to do a cake for Mr. Matchmaker.” This reporter was killing him.
Peyton flattened her palm against his chest, most likely feeling his heart beating a mile a minute. “I really appreciate that, but really, it’s okay. My parents wouldn’t be able to attend anyway. They aren’t getting back from Jamaica until late New Year’s Eve. With only two days, it’s just not possible at this time.”
Justine seemed to wilt. “I’m sorry. I was really hoping to help get you the wedding of your dreams.”
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