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“Positive. Have you spoken to Rachel Vicaria?” I asked, referring to the wedding planner I had my heart set on.
“It’s on my list. I haven’t gotten a chance, but we have plenty of time. Frankly, I wish we were getting married sooner.”
“I know you do, but we don’t need a piece of paper, you know that.”
“I do, but I prefer it,” he said, his voice softening with emotion.
I leaned closer, a mischievous glint in my eyes. “Well, it’s your birthday, so why don’t you sweep me off to a justice of the peace and we’ll be married right now?”
Oliver dropped the piece of sharp cheddar he was eating, his eyes widening in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“Let’s get married right now,” I repeated, more seriously this time.
He stared at me, a mixture of shock and love in his gaze. “As much as I would love to make you Mrs. Fox this very minute, I wouldn’t spoil your fun. I know you want all the things that go along with the festivities of a wedding.”
My heart swelled at his consideration. “You know me too well,” I said softly.
Oliver glanced up from his plate. "By the way, Serena Putnam should be phoning you on Monday," he said, tapping his pen on the desk.
I looked up. "Who’s she?"
"The wedding planner," Oliver replied with a small smile. "You’ll have a much easier time with help."
I nodded thoughtfully. "How are the preparations for the house on the island coming?"
"They already started breaking ground," Oliver said, leaning back in his chair.
"Already?" my eyes widened. "You said it was in the planning phase."
Oliver chuckled. "Money talks, my dear fiancée. I have several crews out there."
I tilted her head, skeptical. "But how do you know?"
"One of my project managers is overseeing the entire project," Oliver explained confidently. "Nothing will be done half-assed."
I crossed her arms, a playful smile on my lips. "Don’t you think we should name the island? We can’t keep calling it 'the island.'"
He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Why don’t we call it Ryleigh Island?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "No. That would be embarrassing."
"Why?" Oliver asked, feigning innocence. "Of course, everything pales in comparison to you."
I rolled my eyes, still smiling. "Think of something else. How about Fox Island?"
Oliver nodded, considering it. "That could work."
"Do you think it will be ready by the time we get married?" I asked, a hint of hope in my voice.
"I’m sure gonna try," Oliver said, reaching out to take my hand. "I want you to be happy."
I squeezed his hand, my eyes softening. "I’ll be happy staying in a grass hut as long as I have you to myself."
After finishing our meal, I felt slightly tipsy from consuming too much wine. Oliver suggested a tour of the vineyard in one of the battered green golf carts. As we cruised through the lush rows of vines, the warm, golden light of the setting sun bathed everything in a dreamy glow.
By the time we returned, the sky had begun to blush with the approach of dusk. We said our goodbyes to Vittorio, who enveloped me in a warm hug, and then set off for home.
Once we were settled in the limo and on the highway, Oliver reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He extracted a credit card and handed it to me, causing me to frown.
