I lay awake for far too long. Knowing I was sharing a bed with Beatrice and we’d have the privacy I both craved and feared was far too much for me to handle. No matter how hard I tried to get comfortable, I couldn’t. My skin would graze hers and it was entirely too much.

Finally, I sighed, gave up and decided to wander back to the main deck. I hoped no one would be awake at the moment, since Max and Tori claimed they were going to bed about an hour before. To my surprise, when I reached the seating area, I found Tori sitting by herself. I stiffened some. We’d never really hit it off, even though our daughters were best friends. “Oh, I’ll just…” I jerked a thumb over my shoulder, hoping to indicate I was happy to go below deck once more.

Tori shook her head. “Can’t sleep either?” She smiled as she curled up in the seat.

“No.” I swallowed hard. “Beatrice,” I murmured by way of explanation.

“Ah. I see.” Her grin had my cheeks burning and her laugh only made it worse. “You know what your problem is?” she began confidently.

My shoulders sagged and I inhaled deeply. “No, but I’m sure you’re about to tell me,” I grumbled.

Another laugh. “I am.” Tori nodded. Then she leaned in conspiratorially. “We share the same problem.”

I frowned as I tried to imagine what we had in common besides the girls. And I’d never consider Thea a problem. “I have no idea,” I admitted.

“Well, we both are trying to fight what we should be embracing.” She gazed past my shoulder, out over the water. “Only Max melted me. I never stood a chance.” Tori met my eyes again.

“I’m not sure I know what you mean,” I lied.

Her brows rose. “Really? I think you do. I think you know exactly what I’m saying. We’re not so different.”

Apparently, it was my turn to laugh. “Are you sure about that?” I shook my head. “You’re marrying a billionaire. You’re living in the lap of luxury. I do well enough, but before Max came along, I spent a lot of time scraping to get by.” I blew out a breath. “I’m a piss-poor excuse for a father, while you’re a loving mother…” My voice trailed off. I worried over how long she was going to let me go on.

“That’s how you see things, I’m sure, but in reality, I wasn’t the best of moms either. You hold Thea at a distance for obvious reasons—“

“What reasons?” I snapped. Then I rubbed my face. “Sorry. I’m tired and stressed. It makes me ugly.”

“I understand.” Tori studied me sadly. “Anyone with eyes can see how much Thea looks like Megyn. She’s growing up beautifully. So smart, so loving. You’ve done a great job with her, even if you’re afraid to get too close.”

I sank down in the seat across from her. “I’m not afraid,” I argued. “I do everything for her.”

With a nod, Tori agreed. “Of course you do, but you have to be there for her too. Before, I think it was simply about Megyn, and this overwhelming fear of loss. Now, I think it’s Beatrice too.”

I froze. “What about Beatrice?”

“Well, again, anyone with eyes can see you’re attracted to her.” She smiled gently. “It’s okay. You’ve been sad long enough, Will. You deserve to be happy.” She frowned. “Are you worried what people will think? Worried what Megyn would’ve wanted?”

“That,” I admitted weakly. “And more.” I raked a hand through my hair. “She’s here on a fiancé visa.”

“Right. Stan.” Tori rolled her eyes. “How a guy like him ever turned the head of a beautiful young woman like that, I’ll never understand.”

I laughed. “Me neither.” Then I sobered. “Her time’s nearly up. She applied for a work visa. We’ve heard nothing. I don’t think I can handle losing one more person I care about.” I choked out the last few words. My throat constricted as I tried to imagine my life without Beatrice.

Tori tilted her head and tapped on her chin a moment. Her face took on a faraway gaze. “What would you do to keep her?” she asked quietly. “What lengths would you go to ensure your happiness, hers, and Thea’s? How badly do you want to keep your family intact?”

My lips twitched as a smile played at the corners of my mouth. “She makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches. I’ve watched her helping Thea with homework and reading books to her. Thea’s happy in a way she hasn’t been since she lost her mother, even with Mo in residence.”

“What about you?” Tori leaned over the table. “You’re different too.”

I nodded. “Beatrice makes me want to be a different man. She makes me want to be better.” I chuckled. “I don’t even mind when she scolds me. I’d gladly fight with that woman for the rest of my days.”

“I think you actually mean that,” she responded happily. “So how much time do you have?”

Closing my eyes, I quickly did the math. “Maybe two weeks. I’ve been telling her not to worry, but that’s because I’ve been doing it for both of us.” I shrugged. “I have no idea how to fix this.”

Tori clapped her hands together. “I do.”

I tilted my head. “Well, don’t keep it a secret. I’m open to suggestions.”

She licked her lips while carefully considering her words. “Do you trust me?”

“I’ve remodeled your house and you’ve never stiffed me, treated me unkindly, or been mean in any way. You referred me to Max. You’re the mother of Thea’s best friend. Of course, I trust you.” I stared at her impatiently. “So, what do I do?”

“The answer seems simple to me.” She smiled. “Marry her.”

“We haven’t even kissed. How do I ask her to marry me?” I shook my head. “And why would she ever go for that? She has been burned by Stan.”

“Yes, but I saw them together once. She looked…miserable. So did he.” Tori sighed. “Tonight, you two seemed tense. And I’m guessing it’s all the feelings you’re suppressing.”

“She threatened to leave me.” I frowned.

“We women say the darndest things when we’re trying to be strong and hide our feelings. Beatrice likes you, Will. I’m confident if you showed her how you felt, she’d be your second chance at love.” She propped her head on her fist. “What do you say?”

The idea of a second chance appealed to me more than I cared to admit. “I never imagined I’d love anyone again. Now, I can’t imagine losing her.” I glanced around and chuckled. “So where does a guy get a ring in the middle of the ocean?”