“Ready to go wife?” The timber of his dark voice has me turning from my conversation with Jax and Diana .I look over my shoulder at Milo. His white dress shirt is crisply pressed under his navy suit and pink tie. It’s unexpected and stylish. My husband is without a doubt a handsome man, one whose dark eyes like my own haven’t stopped staring at me. I have to force myself to stop staring at him lest my cheeks set on fire.

“Go?” I find myself stuttering in the new status of our relationship. I can’t explain why I feel so unsettled. Sure it’s only on paper and barely twenty minutes old but what else is there to do after conversing with our meager wedding party? I need to call my sister and find out what crawled up her ass that had her acting so weird during the ceremony and had her rushing to leave. She at least owes me an explanation. Johanna left immediately after the “I dos” and the kiss that still has my toes curling inside my sandals.

“Yes, I uh arranged a little something.” A nervous Milo isn’t something I ever thought to see. His cheeks darken under his tan skin and his hand runs through his hair while he diverts his eyes from mine. Impishly I wonder if he’s thinking about later when we’re alone. We’ve been alone before but somehow this is fundamentally different.

“You should go. Have fun.” Diana winks at me while my goddaughter is draped over her shoulder snoring loudly, tummy full from cake. She will sleep soundly tonight and maybe Diana will rest a little easier.

The plan was to finish up the work week and jump into married life with me moving in organizing utensil drawers and my boxes in a spare room. It seems my new husband took it upon himself to make other plans. Kind of like the extravagant ring weighing my hand down like a ten pound dumb bell weight.

“I’ve got the gym covered, love.” Jax busses me on the cheek taking his leave and leaving me speechless.

“The gym?”

“No worries, Will is flying up. He’s going to help me and run a 10k race while he’s here.” Jax waves his hand practically skipping out on me.

“Wait Will is town?” I feel Milo’s arm come around me.

“Piper, go enjoy your weekend off.” Jax says it like an order and beckons Diana to follow him. Huh, so I would miss seeing the older Holden brother. No fair.

“Pip, I love you and thank you. Both of you.” Milo steps back to let Diana and I hug with Maisy’s warm almost healthy body between us. My jaw clenches and I hold back tears. Milo’s hand touches my back softly, sweetly as we separate.

“Have fun.” Diana winks at me and leaves. Now I’m alone with Milo. All alone. I shift from leg to leg and chew my bottom lip turning to look at him. All six feet of the handsome swimmer’s body on my husband. My mouth dries and I swallow it down like sawdust.

“What is this something? I thought I was moving in?”

“Oh you are, in fact I think the movers are right on time dropping things off at my place right now.” He goes from looking anxious to smug and I feel like the important people in my life just threw me under a bus.

“What did you do?”

“I organized them packing up your stuff from your parents house. Johanna helped.”

My eyes strain with the roll I give him, of course my sister helped. Traitor. I take that back. I wanted to marry Milo, and in fact did so, but this still felt all new and weird no matter how much I wrapped my head around it.

“I heard that part, but what are we doing now?” My eyes dart around as Milo guides me toward the parking lot.

“We my lovely bride are going to a little beach bed and breakfast about two hours from here.” His hand squeezes my shoulder gently.

“But.” My head whips around and he keeps me moving in the same direction despite any protests I attempt.

“No buts, except for the one getting into my car with her overnight bag.” He swats my ass tapping me softly and I yelp trying to sidestep him and his large butt seeking hand.

I face him but use my hands to cover my rear. Both sets of my cheeks feel heat from top to bottom. “I didn’t pack anything.”

He leans in so close he overshadows the sun and I have to hold my breath or get taken in by his masculine scent. “I know. Diana helped me.”

I swore my friends switched teams after this stunt. I could keep fighting or give in gracefull because what’s done is done.

“Okay, husband. Lead the way.” Milo grabs my hand eagerly and I follow him to the car. I know so little about my husband that I’m surprised to see the brand new, stickers still on the window and plate decal for a hybrid SUV.

“What’s this?” I point to the vehicle wondering where his sporty looking car went.

“I figured we needed a new vehicle.” He opens my door and ushers me inside. This whole farce may have started as a plan to keep Milo here but he really took this to the next level whereas I had growing reservations.

“Where are we going?”

“I suppose it won’t hurt to tell you. I gave Diana all the information in case of an emergency. It’s a bed and breakfast in Solomon’s Island.”

I knew of the place, it was a little ocean town about two hours south.

“We’re really doing this?” I say to know one in particular as he navigates from the hospital lot to the highway. My sleep has been suffering the past few days with all the details and planning and both my body and my confidence are overwhelmed with exhaustion.

“We really are, Mrs. Milo Lazare.” He grins holding my hand and I like that he hasn’t let go. My eyes drift closed watching the city fade with each mile we drive. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all?