Page 61 of Dancing on Air

“Thank you, for giving me a reason to get out of bed before”—he glanced at his watch and winced—“seven.”

“We have the rest of the day to relax now.” She took his hand and started walking through the garden pathways, heading back towards the resort.

They sat on the rocking chairs and ordered coffee for him and hot tea for her.

“I could spend every single one of my mornings like this,” Cora said as she sipped her tea and rocked slowly.

“You wouldn’t miss the city?” he asked, slightly surprised.

“I think city life is nice. Maybe if I had my own place, but I’m so tired of not having a private space to enjoy. Hiding out from your roommate can be exhausting.”

“You could always move in with me,” he suggested. “I know it’s a distance to the BAC, but you’d have your privacy.”

She turned slightly towards him. “I’ve never lived with anyone before.”

“I’ve never had anyone live with me before,” he admitted with a chuckle. “We could give it a try. If you’re game?”

She was quiet for a moment. “I’m game, if you’re sure.”

He reached over and took her hand. “I am.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed a kiss over her knuckles.

“This is sweet,” Missy said, stepping out onto the porch with a mug of coffee for herself.

“We’re moving in together,” Cora said and then blushed slightly.

“Sweet.” Missy sat next to Cora. “That should really piss off the parental units,” she added with a chuckle.

“Why?” Cora asked.

“Our mother has been very bitter about Max getting his hands on Aunt Jackie’s place,” Missy answered.

“She knows,” Max said. “Mom is already pissed we’re seeing one another.”

“Right.” Missy sighed. “God, this place.” She motioned as a row of geese flew overhead. “When I was here last time, I stayed in this quaint little B&B and fell in love with the town. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

“Tomorrow, we’ll have a look around,” Max said.

“I don’t know where I’m going to get the money to start⁠—”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Max broke in. “In less than a month, I’ll be selling my shares. I have it all arranged. It’s enough to at least help out.”

“I couldn’t…” Missy started but he leaned forward and gave her a look. “We can talk about it later,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Today, we lounge. After breakfast. I’m starved and…” She got up. “I smell bacon.”

After eating, the three of them went back upstairs and pulled on their swimsuits and met back at the adult pool. It had its own little bar where they could order drinks.

Missy and Cora each read books they had picked up at a bookstore the day before, while he split his time between sleeping in the sun and swimming. Not that he didn’t enjoy a good book, but he usually saved them for late at night when he was alone or during rainy days.

After ordering lunch poolside a few hours later, they made their way down to the beach and joined in a volleyball game with a handful of other guests.

They ate really good food, had several different drinks, and spent the entire day relaxing. So far it was the best vacation he’d ever been on.

An hour before Cora’s family was due to arrive for the family meal, they headed up to their own rooms to shower and change.

As he looked at himself in the mirror, he realized he was more nervous than he’d ever been. It didn’t matter that he’d already met her brother and sister-in-law.

These people mattered to her so much that she gave up everything to be with them when she’d left her own home. Hadn’t he done the same thing when he’d joined the military?

He’d run away from his controlling parents, and Missy had as well by heading away to college. He’d never been as passionate about anything as Missy was about her bakery, which is why the military had been the best option for him.