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THEY HAD THEIR DINNER DELIVERED to their suite. It was a quiet night together, avoiding the others, but Isla didn’t care. She knew they’d have to face her parents and their friends again once they reached Catalina Island.

Once the boat docked and let them off, Rebecca and Peter were waiting for them on shore at the end of the long dock.

“You two feeling better today?” Rebecca asked.

“We’re fine, Mother,” Isla said.

“Good,” she said, glancing at Garrett. “So, how about you and I go to the spa and catch up. Garrett can go off with the men. They plan on golfing. How does that sound?”

Awful.

“You want to go golfing?” Isla asked Garrett, putting on her sunglasses as the sun’s rays shone in her eyes.

“Sounds like fun. Sure,” he said.

“Good man,” Peter said. “Let’s leave the women to their devices.”

Garrett gave her a quick kiss and left to join her father and Senator Kinley to the car that would take them to the golf course.

“He’s a handsome man, Isla,” Rebecca said, sounding earnest for the first time since they’d reunited.

“Thanks...”

“Seriously, when I first met him I instantly saw what you saw in him. But, I also now see something more.”

“And what is that?” Isla asked, folding her arms across her pink sundress with a plunging neckline that went to her belted waist.

Rebecca searched her eyes. “He makes you happy.” She reached out and stroked Isla’s cheek. “He makes you smile.”

Isla lifted a brow, taken aback by her mother’s rare show of affection.

Something inside her begged for more. A hug. A smile.

Anything.

Rebecca withdrew her hand, a wave of sorrow flashing in her eyes.

Was it possible that her mother regretted how they’d treated her in the past?

“I told you that years ago,” Isla said.

Nodding, Rebecca sighed and checked her watch. “Eleanor and Joy are on a food tour around the island, but I scheduled facials, manicures and pedicures, and massages for us.”

“I can’t complain about that,” Isla said and Rebecca laughed. It was a refreshing sound, genuine and light when Isla was used to her mother’s tight and contrived laughter.

“I didn’t think so.”

***

GARRETT WAS THANKFUL for the times his father had taken him golfing when he was just a boy. Or else he would’ve been in danger of looking like an amateur in front of Isla’s father and the senator.

They played a few rounds of golf before heading inside the club for lunch.

Garrett was surprisingly comfortable around them by the time they’d finished their morning of golf. As he sat at a table with them, eating his lunch, he was no longer regretting coming out. Peter Maxwell could be charming and fun when he wanted to. And Senator Kinley was a stand-up guy.

“So, you’re still planning on marrying my daughter?”

Garrett swallowed, a little taken aback by the question. “I do.”

“Good,” Peter said. “Isla is my youngest. And though she was a difficult child, we’ve always sought to give her the best, to make sure she took advantage of every opportunity.”

“Any father would do the same,” Garrett said. “But, they’d also take into account their child’s wants in addition to their needs.”

“Right,” Peter said. He took a bite of his pasta and chewed. “It was a shock that she wanted a troubled young man such as yourself. How did the two of you meet anyway?”

Troubled?

Embarrassed, Garrett set down his fork. “We met at the beach. I was a lifeguard that summer.”

“You delivered pizzas too, right?”

“Yes. I’ve always been a hard worker.”

“I respect that,” Senator Kinley said. “I myself delivered papers when I was a boy. I also waited tables to pay my way through law school.” He looked to Garrett. “Not all of us were born privileged, son. That’s what makes America great. We all have the potential to be leaders, even the poorest of us.”

“I believe that. With all of my heart.” Garrett nodded, relieved by the senator’s words.

It took the spotlight off of him and revealed a truth he would never have guessed of the man with the expensive watch, shoes, and a mansion on the beach.

Garrett cleared his throat and looked down into his glass of water. “In England, my father was a boat maker. When we moved here, he continued to make the most beautiful boats but made a mistake with his choice of friends. Not only did I learn from his mistakes, but I’ve made a pact with myself to bring honor back to our family name. Joining the U.S. Army has given me that chance.”

“I’d say you’ve accomplished what you set out to do,” Senator Kinley said.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Well, you have my blessing now. I will support your marriage to my daughter.”

Garrett nodded. Not that it mattered anymore, it was nice to hear those words.

But, why now?

The question ate at him, and so he could no longer keep quiet. “Thank you. But, what makes you give your blessing now? You essentially told me to fuck off when I asked you years ago.”

Senator Kinley looked from Garrett to Peter, his brows lifting. “Well?”

Peter laughed, swishing his bourbon. He tilted his head. “When you came to me, you were a child.” He leaned forward in his chair. “Listen, in politics, you have to be careful whom you associate with. And to be frank, your family has a tarnished name. Had. You said it yourself.”

“Right,” Garrett said, nodding. “And now I’m a ‘hero.’ So, you can associate with me and the press that comes along with it. I see. You’re nothing more than an opportunist.”

“Now, don’t take it the wrong way. That’s life,” Peter said. “I do what’s right for my family.”

“And your image. I get it,” Garrett said. “But, it’s all irrelevant. No offense.”

Peter shrugged, yet stared at Garrett with an icy glare.

“Enough of that talk,” Senator Kinley said. “We should be getting back to the yacht. It’s getting late”

“Lunch is on me,” Garrett said, pulling out his wallet. “He wanted to show Peter that he didn’t need him for anything. Not anymore. He had enough money in the bank to finally do what he wanted.

“Nonsense,” Senator Kinley said. “I’ve already taken care of it.”

“Thank you.” Garrett stood from the table, done with pretending to be chummy with Peter Maxwell. “I’m sure the ladies are waiting for us.”

Peter left to wait for the car outside and Senator Kinley stopped Garrett before heading toward the door.

“Take this,” he said, hanging Garrett a business card with his name and number on it.

“Thank you, Senator.”

“Call me James. You contact me when things quiet down in the press. I hear you’re a writer, right?”

Garrett’s brows lifted. How did he hear that? Perhaps Peter had mentioned it.

“Yes. I’ve written a few books over the years.”

“I have an agent I want to get you in touch with. You just keep your head up, take care of that beautiful woman, and we’re going to get you on your feet.”

Garrett couldn’t help the smile that came to his face. Was this really happening? After all that he’d been through, he’d never had any luck in life. For years, Isla had been the only good thing, the only thing to look forward to. Now, his dream might come true.

“Thank you, James. Seriously, I can’t thank you enough. This means the world to me.”

James patted him on the shoulder, giving him a wink. “No need to thank me. We’re brothers, right? We look out for one another.”

Garrett beamed, watching James leave the club.

“Amazing,” he whispered to himself.