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Aspen
Two years later
“I can’t believe it’s been two years since you were having her in a bathtub in your own home,” Mila says, dusting sprinkles over the cupcakes after I finish icing them.
I laugh at the memory like it was yesterday. “Hey, at least there was an obstetrician living in the condo so he didn’t have to deliver her. That might have put a damper on our sexy times. It’s bad enough he can’t look at the bathtub without a shiver running up his back.”
“What are sexy times?” Tanner asks, walking into the back room, surprising me. He’s not supposed to be here yet. I watch the doorway and sure enough Ryker appears with a smiling crazy girl attached to his hip, with her curly blond locks as wild as she is. Amber-colored eyes light up when she sees the cupcakes.
“For me?” She stretches out her chubby arms.
“Hold on, Lady Bug, I want to hear Mom’s answer to Tanner’s question.”
I twist my lips at the spiteful ass. “No ‘old on. My cake.” She wiggles to get out of his arms until he puts her down. Fuzzy-lined boots pitter patter across the floor. She runs over and I hand her a cupcake. “Happy Birthday, sweet girl.” She takes off running to the front of the bakery.
She has a sweet tooth like her daddy.
Ryker comes over and sticks my icing-covered finger in his mouth, licking it clean. “Is that sexy time?” Tanner asks, watching us with an eagle eye.
I burst out laughing, wiping my finger off on a rag. “It is for your daddy.”
He hums in my ear. “Sugared whiskey is definitely sexy time.”
Pushing him away, I point to the door. “Go check on Leighton. Who knows what she’s doing with that cupcake. I have to finish these before all her friends get here.”
The birthday party was an easy distraction, but now my focus is on our trip. Depending on the minute, I’m having a panic attack that we’re leaving the kids, or don’t care what’s happening around me because tomorrow, I’ll be on a beach. Not any beach, my beach.
For our seven-year anniversary, Ryker surprised me with a trip to Bora Bora. I haven’t been back since I found my home in ashes and I’m nervous. It’s a different world, like a dream I woke up from years ago. But I’ve hinted that I’d like to go back someday.
Someday is today. We leave tonight.
“You sure are packing a lot,” Ryker says, staring at the largest bag I could find. Then he turns his head to his medium-sized suitcase. “I mean, if I remember correctly, you only wear string bikinis there.”
“Well, my swimsuits are a little more than string these days.” Even though I’ve worked hard to maintain my weight after two kids, I’m still not the same as I was when I was in my early twenties. And I am perfectly okay with that. I love my new body.
“Who are we kidding, you’ll be naked most of the time.”
Ryker can’t hide his excitement to get me alone. He hasn’t stopped talking about all the sexy time we’ll be getting in. He doesn’t know about all the relaxation I plan on doing. Two weeks on a beach, away from kids and work. Now I understand why everyone thought the island was paradise. It is. It was when I was there, I couldn’t see past my reality.
* * *
“Is that who I think it is?” Mama Doe screeches from the dock before we pull up. I wave at the woman dressed in a bright yellow and red dress, excitedly. Somehow, word got out we were coming. “Come here, girl.” Before I can get both feet on the dock, she’s pulling me into a tight embrace. She pulls back, her gaze sweeps over me. “You’ve grown into a beautiful woman.”
“It’s so good to see you.” I wrap my arms around her again. The feeling of home envelops me in her arms. The taste of salt and the sound of the ocean. It brings me back full tilt.
“Where are those babies?” She looks past me to the boat, searching. My brows furrow, surprised she knows I even have kids.
“We kept them at home this time,” Ryker answers, helping pull our bags out. He leans over and gives her a hug.
“Don’t stare at me like that, girl, I know how to use them internets. I’ve been following you.” She crosses her thick arms in disappointment.
“We’ll bring them next time, I promise. We didn’t think Leighton would make the thirteen-hour trip. At least not enjoyable, that is.” Instead, I pull out my phone and show her pictures.
“They are beautiful,” she gleams, taking in picture after picture. She can’t stay long, so before she leaves, we make plans to meet her for dinner later this week.
Our footsteps are the only sound down the long winding freshly painted walkway. The place feels deserted until we pass a woman rushing by us. I bite back the word Orana at the tip of my tongue. Where the hell did that come from? I broke that habit years ago. As we continue our stroll, I give Ryker the side-eye.
“Did you get the same hut?”
