Page 99 of The Romance Adventure

“Last one best one?” he asks.

“No, it’s the worst idea ever.”

“How about cave diving? Volcano boarding?”

“I don’t even want to know what that is. How about one where I don’t risk being a widow before we say I do.”

“Well, I won’t let Madame give you any relationship advice,” Lally says. “It was really nice meeting you both. I’m sure we’ll see each other around the island. And if you get a dog or need a history lesson, come find me.”

We wave goodbye as Madame—paint-stained tail lifted high in the air—trots beside Lally.

“I have a feeling we’ll become friends,” I say.

“Yeah? Does that mean you’re a dog person too and are fishing for⁠—?”

I poke him in the side again.

“Oof. Watch it with that finger.” He glances down. “Nope, that was a paintbrush.”

“Let me clean up before the meeting. But no, I wasn’t fishing for anything. Lally seems nice, though, and seeing how Coco Key is now home...”

Royal claps his hands together. “So you decided.”

I beam a smile.

He scoops me into his arms and spins me around.

“I didn’t expect you to be so enthusiastic.”

“I’ve been holding my breath since our conversation about where to live and if long distance could work.”

“When I thought about it, unless I hook up with a private jet or a helicopter, traveling between New York, Charleston, and here was going to be exhausting. Romantech wouldn’t work. Plus, I think island life is growing on me,” he says.

It’s then that I realize Royal is wearing a short-sleeved shirt instead of his usual business attire. “I like the look, Mr. McGregor.”

Royal brushes his nose against mine. “And I can’t wait to call you Mrs. McGregor.”

“So what are we waiting for?”

“For the building inspector to sign off on the plumbing in the main building. I guess they ran into something underground.”

I inhale sharply.

“Not a treasure chest. But nothing is going to stop us from saying I do.”

“I hear ship captains can marry people at sea.” I eye the water. The boat with the black sails must’ve moved on.

“True, but we already have a time slot at the church. We just need to make sure this place is up and running.”

“If only I could fix it with paint.”

Royal goes still. “Maybe you could fudge the inspection report. Sign on the dotted line.”

I swat him. “A forgery? I will do no such thing.”

He bursts into laughter and kisses me. “I know, and that’s what I love about you.”

“That I follow the rules, most of the time?”