Page 341 of The Romance Adventure
Isla says, “But that’s not all. The last part is, ‘Solving this puzzle will be a great adventure that takes you beyond your comfort zones. It’ll be humbling and educational. It will require careful thought, collaboration, courage, and strength. Think of any setbacks as opportunities. Learn while you wait and learn to wait. You win if you don’t quit. Go forth and find her. Godspeed, and may the wind and tide be ever in your favor. The end.’”
“The end,” CJ repeats as if that’s been stumping him.
Those two words end this meeting for now as everyone shifts and gathers their things, ready to take their leave.
“Guess now you’re officially part of the family,” CJ says.
“And the hunt,” Isla adds, looping her purse’s strap over her shoulder.
If this only started when they got Chip’s will, I’ve been on the search a tad bit longer. Then again, according to CJ’s stories, so has he. This just means he finally got his family on board.
But if I’m part of this now, are they my competition, or are we allies?
CJ’s gaze floats to mine as if he’s asking a similar question, but related to us personally, whereas I’m wondering if I can keep up my cover and remain married.
CJ
CHAPTER 6
My gaze locked with Jolie’s, my heart rattles against my ribcage. “Now you know all my secrets.”
But do I know hers?
I noticed that she seemed subtly uncomfortable when Kurt Jerkovic’s name came up. Jolie said she didn’t date much before I came along, which I find hard to believe. I try to come up with explanations. She could’ve had a bad experience with a guy by the name of Kurt—it’s common enough.
Of course, my mind splinters into a dozen different directions, some based on honesty, others hung up on the multiple passports, and a few other unanswered questions, namely, where on earth did she get the fancy diamond earrings?
But how can I suspect this elegant woman with the deep brown eyes and the smile I like to think is reserved solely for me?
I want to ask if meeting my family, the treasure hunt, and the things I can’t tell her change anything. Instead, I ask, “Are you still mad at me?”
Her lips quirk as if fighting off a sweet smile. “Yes, of course I am.”
“Are you more mad at me than you were before?”
She tips her hand from side to side. “Mostly.”
That’s not an answer, but the fight is no longer in her. I’d like to believe this line of questioning is more of a game.
The room narrows and my focus is solely on Jolie.
Then Harley says, “Please let’s not have another hate-to-love situation. I think this family has had more than enough of that.” She’s referring to her fraught relationship with Ryan over the years. Yet, somehow, they figured out a way to kiss and make up. I should ask what’s in the secret sauce.
“We don’t hate each other.” Jolie turns to my brothers. “Quite the opposite, actually.” Her eyes are on me again. The twitch of her lips brings me back to when we were alone in this kitchen.
I can’t help but wonder if our insta-love relationship concentrated the various stages that couples go through. When we met at that tapas bar in Malaga, it was like love at first sight. We spent an intense few weeks together, then had to return to our respective lives. I went back and forth to Europe, where she was working, she came here in between. Coco Key enchanted her, and we decided it would be our base, so we bought a home.
Having dashed through the honeymoon period, perhaps we’ve hit the seven-year itch. Only it’s been eleven months, so that doesn’t quite line up. But those are probably more like guidelines.
Or, it could be that outwardly, we act like we’re in a fight and on the brink of breaking up, but inside, we love each other deeply, meaning something invisible and unsaid stands between us.
Namely, the truth.
Contrary to popular opinion among the McGregor men, I am a deep thinker.
Forget two truths and one lie, more like twenty questions. It’s only when I realize my family peppers Jolie with inquiries about her life that she looks like a cornered chipmunk. A really beautiful one.
“I work in real estate,” she says.
