“Sir?” Edward said. “She called me sir.”
“Because you’re old,” Denny said. “She’s respecting her elders.”
“Watch it, boy.”
“Gabby’s from San Diego, California,” Denny exclaimed.
“You’re a long way from home, aren’t you?” Alyson asked. “How did you wind up in the Bahamas, and with my baby brother...who is engaged?”
“You’re engaged?” Gabby turned to Denny.
“Not anymore,” Denny stated, and then through clenched teeth said, “Alyson, please.”
“You’re not engaged to Sage anymore?” Beverly asked. “When did that change?”
“I haven’t quite told her.” Denny became uncomfortable. He grabbed his brother by the arm. “Edward, can I see you in the kitchen for a minute?”
Edward followed Denny into the kitchen.
“Are you telling me that you haven’t broken things off with Sage?” Edward whispered.
“I didn’t know how to tell her in a letter or over the phone that I’m seeing Gabby now,” said Denny.
“I have to tell you, you did that all wrong, boy!” Edward said. “You can’t bring a new girl home when you haven’t told your old girl that she’s been dumped. I thought you loved Sage.”
“I do... I mean I did.” Denny rubbed his head in frustration. “It’s just that I finally got away from the Bahamas for the first time...and there were just so many options.”
“Girls everywhere, huh?” Edward smiled.
“Everywhere! Have you seen Gabby?”
“She’s cute,” Edward admitted. “But Sage is a good girl. She deserves to be treated so much better. She at least needs to know that she’s been replaced. You should know better.”
“You’re judging me?” Denny asked. “The way you treated Savannah?”
“I admit, I wasn’t the best husband. But I regret losing her. There! I said it,” Edward admitted. “I regret losing her. I needed to hear myself say it aloud.”
It was the first time he’d admitted it to someone other than himself.
“You’re serious? You still love Savannah.”
Edward shrugged his shoulders. Didn’t admit or deny loving Savannah. “All I know is when you find a good woman, you should do everything in your power to keep her.”
Denny sat at the kitchen table, frustration on his face. “Gabby has so much to offer. She’s beautiful, ambitious...”
“Sage is just as beautiful. Maybe not as ambitious, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, Denny,” said Edward. He patted him on the shoulder. “You got your hands full, boy.”
“What should I do?” he asked, and grabbed Edward, who was trying to leave the kitchen.
“I don’t know. What do you want?”
“I want them both.”
“Boy, you’re losing it,” Edward said. “This is a recipe for disaster.”
“I know.” Denny sighed.
“If I were you, I’d go rescue Gabby. Your sister can be a beast.”
“You’re right.” Denny stood quickly and rushed into the living room where Alyson had already started giving Gabby the third degree.
Edward shook his head and hoped that his brother made it out of his predicament unharmed, but he wasn’t confident that he would. He took a look at his watch. “I think I should get you and Chloe back to the Grove,” he told Savannah.
Savannah smiled and stood.
“I’ll drive you to the water ferry,” his father offered.
“Thanks, Pop. That would be great,” Edward said as he leaned in and kissed his mother’s cheek. “I’ll be back shortly. Just want to get these ladies to their room safe and sound.”
“Should I wait up?” his mother asked.
“No. Don’t worry too much. I’ll call you when I’m headed back,” he promised.
“Fine. I’ll save you some coconut cake.”
“That would be nice.”
He gave his brother one final cautionary glance before walking out onto the front porch.
* * *
At the Grove, he carried Chloe up the stairs. Her head rested against his shoulder. She’d fallen asleep on the short drive from the water taxi to the Grove. Savannah unlocked the door to their room and Edward gently laid Chloe onto the queen-size bed. He removed her shoes and then kissed her forehead. He stepped out onto the balcony and gazed at the stars. Savannah followed.
“It’s a beautiful night,” he told her.
“It is. And this is a beautiful place. Thank you for inviting me,” she told him.
“My pleasure.”
“It was so good seeing everybody.”
“They all still love you very much.”
“And I them.” She smiled at him. “Poor Denny. What’s he going to do with two women?”
“What do you mean, poor Denny? He got himself into this mess.” Edward chuckled. “And now he’s got to figure his way out of it.”
“He’s young and foolish,” she said.
“Yes! He’s going to learn the hard way what it means to lose someone he loves. He’ll regret it for the rest of his life.”
“You sound like an authority on the matter.”
“I am.” He looked at her. “I lost you.”
For a brief, uncomfortable moment she was silent, and he wished she would say something.
“I think we both sort of lost each other,” she finally resolved.
His fingertips brushed against her face and he moved closer, waited for her to stop him, but she didn’t. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulled her into him. His nose gently touched hers, and then his lips kissed hers. She wrapped her arms around his waist, caressed his back. As the waves from the ocean crashed against the shore, his tongue danced against her mint-flavored mouth.
He still loved her. He knew it, and so did the universe.
Chapter 11
Savannah opened her eyes and noticed the moonlight as it reflected against the wall. Edward’s arms were wrapped tightly around her waist, and she breathed in his cologne. His chin rested against her neck as light snores escaped from his lips. He’d fallen asleep right there, and she moved closer into him, snuggled closer.
They’d talked until the wee hours of the morning until they were both too tired to continue the conversation. They talked about what their relationship had been and where they’d both gone wrong. They’d become reacquainted in a matter of hours. Conversations like this one had never occurred in their marriage. He’d been too busy nurturing his career. And she’d given up on them much too soon. He’d needed her more than she ever knew.
After they’d both grown tired of talking and gazing at the stars from the balcony, Edward decided to stay on Harbour Island.
“It’s late, and the water ferry isn’t running any more tonight. Maybe I can just crash in that chair in the corner,” he’d said.
“Or maybe you can just snuggle with us here in the bed. There’s plenty of room,” Savannah had suggested.
And so he did. He’d kicked his Dockers casual shoes from his feet and stretched across the bed. She’d taken a quick shower and changed into a pair of knit pajamas with the shortest of shorts. When she came back into the room Edward had removed his shirt and was relaxed, eyes closed as he listened to Caribbean music on his iPhone. She climbed into bed between him and Chloe. He smiled and then turned off the lamp. She’d rested her head against his chest, and he held her tightly.
Now she was awake, taking in the moment. She felt safe in his arms—as though she still belonged there. As though she had never left them. She closed her eyes, pulled his arms tighter around her and intertwined her fingers with his.
* * *
Morning came suddenly, it seemed, and she felt alarmed as i
f she’d overslept. She felt the empty bed next to her. Edward was gone, and so was Chloe. When they both came through the door carrying breakfast—a tray filled with an omelet, fresh fruit and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice—Savannah sat up in the bed.
“What is all of this?” she asked.
“We brought you breakfast, Mommy!” Chloe exclaimed.
“Yes, you did,” Savannah said. “It looks delicious.”
“Raquel cooked it,” said Chloe.
“Raquel?” Savannah glanced at Edward.
“The Grove’s cook.” He set the tray on her lap. “She’s the best.”
“Aunt Jazzy was downstairs, too,” Chloe said. “She’s taking me shopping and to the market today.”
“Oh, she is?” Savannah smiled at her daughter.
Edward interjected, “I told Jasmine it was okay to spend the day with Chloe. Are you okay with that?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Because I thought you and I would go sailing. My cousin Stephen has a powerboat and I have something I want to show you,” he said. “So eat up and then get dressed.”
Savannah smiled at the thought of a surprise. She noticed that Edward was wearing fresh clothing. “You changed clothes.”
“Pop brought my suitcase over this morning.”
“Well, that was sweet of him,” said Savannah. “Your father is a gem.”
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Edward boasted.
“You’re right.” Savannah smiled, then had a sip of her orange juice, took a forkful of her omelet. “I’ll be quick.”
* * *
They traveled across the ocean as Edward’s cousin Stephen steered his powerboat, Sophia. He was quite fond of her, and used her to transport tourists back and forth across the ocean. It was how he made his living—giving people memorable experiences. And when Edward had called him for a favor, he was happy to oblige. She liked Stephen. He had a gentle spirit with a bright smile. She thought he would’ve been a perfect catch for her friend Maia. Someone to tame her. It was their first time meeting, but before long, he and Savannah seemed like old friends.
Savannah took in the beautiful turquoise waters. She could actually see the rainbow of fish species as they swam beneath the clear water. She reclined on the leather seat in the port of the boat, while Edward relaxed in its bow and chatted with his cousin. The wind brushed against her face, and her shades shielded her eyes from the sunshine. She wore a two-piece yellow bikini underneath her mesh cover-up. A smile danced in the corner of her mouth as she watched Edward.
She took in the curve of his chin and his strong jaw. Those lips that she’d spent the evening kissing only hours ago. His strong arms that had wrapped tightly around her as they gazed at the moon from their ocean-side patio. Her heart had fluttered, something that hadn’t happened since the first time Edward’s lips met hers—long before they were married. Back then she’d fallen for him quickly and hard. They were both hopeless romantics. It was another thing they had in common.
Stephen started to navigate the boat to shore, toward a private island in the middle of nowhere.
“Where are we?” Savannah asked.
“My little hidden jewel.” Edward gave her a wide grin.
“You mean my little hidden jewel,” said Stephen.
“Can I just have this moment, please?” asked Edward, and then with a lowered voice said, “I’m trying to impress the lady here.”
Stephen lifted his hands in surrender and then turned to Savannah. “It’s his little hidden jewel.”
“Well, whomever it belongs to, it’s beautiful.” Savannah smiled.
Stephen dropped an anchor to steady the boat and then climbed out. He assisted Edward as he disembarked from the boat. Edward grabbed Savannah by the waist and lifted her out. She pressed her body against his to balance herself, and her face met his for a moment. Her feet gently touched the sand, and he let her go. Edward grabbed a backpack and a red cooler from the boat and carried them to shore.
“Follow me,” he told Savannah.
“I have a family that I need to pick up and take back to Harbour Island. I’ll be back shortly,” said Stephen. “Enjoy your time here.”
“Okay, man,” Edward said.
“He’s leaving us?” Savannah asked as she rushed to catch up with Edward.
“We’ll be fine.” The confident Edward grabbed her by the hand.
She followed, her nerves easing just a little bit more with each step. Edward’s confidence was one of the things that she loved about him. He had the ability to allay her fears.
Seagulls tiptoed along the island’s coast and thousands of little baby crabs played hide-and-seek in the sand. Edward grabbed wood and placed it on an old grill, started a fire. He pulled fresh fish, lobsters and shrimp from the red cooler and placed them on the grill. He chopped fresh onions, potatoes and mangoes and seasoned them with a Bahamian rub, then placed them on the grill. He set the cooler on an old picnic table.
“Where did you get all of that?”
“Stephen is a diver and caught the fish. He bought the lobster and shrimp at the market.”
“Wow, that’s impressive,” she said. “I should definitely introduce him to Maia someday.”
“Your snooty friend Maia?”
“She’s not snooty,” said Savannah. “She’s okay.”
“She’s not his type. She hates men.”
“She doesn’t hate men.”
“Okay, correction. She hates me,” Edward said.
“She’s just protective. That’s all.”
“Okay, whatever,” Edward said as he removed his sunglasses from atop his head, pulled his T-shirt off and placed them on the picnic table. He slipped flip-flops from his feet. “Now, while that’s cooking, let’s go for a swim.”
Savannah found herself staring at his arms, chest and abs. Edward had always been in great shape, and the most attractive man she knew. She felt a tingling between her thighs and willed her eyes to look somewhere else.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Not really.” Savannah tiptoed across the sand. “There are baby crabs everywhere.”
“It’s okay, they won’t harm you. But just in case...” Edward lifted Savannah into his arms, cradled her and carried her toward the ocean. He picked up his pace and began to run.
“What are you doing?” She laughed and held on to his neck. “Oh my God!”
“Relax.” He laughed, too.
“Don’t dunk me!” she warned. “I’m not kidding, Edward.”
“I’m not going to dunk you.” He grinned.
“I mean it! I just got my hair done.”
“I’m not going to dunk you.”
He placed her gently in the water and she planted her feet just below the surface. She removed her cover-up and tossed it into the sand, walked out into the ocean until the water covered her midsection. Edward rushed into the water with a splash, went for a swim. He crept up behind Savannah and grabbed her. She turned to face him. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. She could feel his hardness between her thighs, and it turned her on. She missed him and felt safe in his arms. He held her close and danced about in the water.
They played in the water and laughed. It was natural being with Edward. As if they had never missed a beat—as if divorce had never entered their lives. They stared into each other’s eyes.
“Better go check on the food,” he whispered.
“Right.” She gathered herself and hopped down from his waist.
The two of them headed for the grill, where Edward flipped the seafood with tongs. He pulled a bottle of wine from the cooler and placed it on the table along with two wineglasses. He opened the wine and poured Savannah a glass, handed it to her.
&
nbsp; “Here you go, madam,” he said. He pulled two disposable plates from the cooler and placed grilled seafood, potatoes and vegetables on each one. “One for you and one for me.”
“It smells wonderful.”
“I know how much you like seafood. So I cooked all of your favorites.”
“Thank you.” She blushed.
She took a seat at the table, and Edward sat across from her. They ate and sipped Chardonnay. Edward found soft Caribbean music on his phone.
“So how many women have you brought to this private island and romanced their panties off?”
“What?” Edward laughed and choked on his wine. “This is my first time here.”
“You seem to know your way around all too well for it to be your first time.”
“It was a carefully thought-out plan to impress you,” said Edward. “Is it working?”
She smiled. “I have to admit that I’m quite impressed.”
He reached across the table and held on to her hand. “I’m glad.”
After dinner, they both cleaned up the mess. The sun began to set and Edward spread two large beach towels on the sand. They sat there facing the ocean. Savannah pulled her knees into her chest and closed her eyes. It was a beautiful night, she thought.
“Thank you for coming to the Bahamas with me. It meant so much for my parents to see Chloe.”
“Thank you for inviting us,” said Savannah. “This place is gorgeous. This little private island of yours...the one you’ve never been to before.”
“I swear.” Edward moved closer. “You’re so beautiful.”
He reached for her waist, and his lips found hers. She would’ve pulled away, but she couldn’t will her body to move—and her lips defied her. His hand caressed her smooth, silky legs. He lay on his back and then pulled Savannah on top of him. His hands rested against the roundness of her butt. His fingertips found their way beneath the fabric of her bikini bottom, dipped into the sweetness between her thighs. She moaned. His kiss took her breath away. His tongue danced against hers.
He flipped her over onto her back and removed her bottoms. She didn’t fight it. Couldn’t. He kissed her belly button, then moved down and kissed her inner thigh. His tongue danced inside her, and her toes curled. She remembered the way he’d kissed her there in the past—remembered all too well. His mouth moved upward and nibbled on her breast through the fabric of her bikini top. He loosened the string from around her neck and removed her top, placed her nude breast into his mouth. It sent electricity through her.
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