Page 202 of The Romance Adventure

The song changes from a jaunty tune to a slow one, and I rest my head on Magnus’s shoulder.

We sway for a few bars and through the other wedding guests dancing, something glints, reminding me of when I spotted the safe deposit box key.

Squinting, I make out a pair of cufflinks. They’re somewhat familiar, and by the time I remember where I saw them, I lose track of the person in the crowd.

“Wait. There they are.”

“There who is?”

“Do you know that guy with the cufflinks?”

Magnus peers through the crowd and shrugs. “A distant cousin, maybe. Isla went over the top with the guest list. Shh. Don’t tell her Royal said that.”

“No, I’m aware, but they wanted to also use this as an opportunity for a soft opening for the resort.”

“I’d say it’s a success.”

“And it’s marvelous with luxury amenities and good old-fashioned, relaxing fun all rolled into one.”

“So, do you have a thing for guys in cufflinks? I could probably arrange that. Chip had a few sets.” The deep timbre of Magnus’s voice almost makes me forget that I saw those exact cufflinks fastening the shirt sleeves of the captain of the Dark Seas. They stood out because they were in the shape of a pair of cards—lucky aces.

After dessert—the cake is amazing—only Magnus looks at me like I’m the most delicious thing in the room—a question floats into my mind and refuses to leave.

“Want to take a walk?”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

As we exit, I glimpse Isla looking gorgeous and she and Royal gazing lovingly at each other. CJ is sparse, but Ryan looks concerned, his expression not the flirty ease I’ve grown accustomed to.

Magnus squints, then says, “No, couldn’t be.”

“Huh?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Thought I saw someone from the past.”

“Your past?” I ask.

“No, Ryan’s. The girl who broke his heart. Though, to be fair, he did a number on her too.” Magnus squints as though peering through time. “Heather, no. Hayley, uh uh. Harley.” He snaps his fingers. “That would be a nightmare waiting to happen.”

I don’t ask what he means because we’re outside in the fresh night air. The stars shine overhead, reminding me of our first kiss on the peninsula. We walk along the path in that direction now, passing the mural Isla painted.

Magnus pauses and takes in the painting with its smooth brush strokes and splashes of color. It’s a scene I could step into, depicting the perfect day at the Driftwood, complete with locals, guests, Lola, and even Nutmug, Robyn’s cat.

I inhale sharply. “Wait. There’s something new. Someone. Me.” Painted next to Magnus, tossing a ball to a dog, stands a figure that looks remarkably like me.

Magnus smirks. “Happy anniversary.”

“We’re not married yet.”

“It’s an early present. Isla painted you in. It’s the perfect scene now.”

Planting a kiss on Magnus’s cheek, I say, “You’re perfect.”

“Careful, you don’t want that going to my head.”

Our gazes catch, reflecting our mutual love. Mouths are about to come together when footfalls approach at a rapid clip.

“Hey, I was looking for you guys.” It’s CJ.