Now that they were  married, Donovan regretted not doing so sooner. They had the paper to validate what he’d felt about her all along, and the intensity of pride filled his chest. His only regret was waiting so long. All those years ago when he made the pact with her, he should have proposed. It would have saved the both of them years of frustration.

What was worse—she had no idea how long he had pined for her. If she did, Becca would understand the depth of his love. Time would prove it, and Donovan was fully prepared for the day to day, test by test approach. In the end, she would understand they were meant for each other.

Donovan feigned interest in an alert from the weather channel when he was really watching her dress. Becca was prettier than she realized and until she was comfortable with their situation, he allowed her some space. Intent on being comfortable for the six hour flight to their honeymoon, his wife chose loose fitting capris, a long sleeve t-shirt, and a light jacket. The outfit emphasized how comfortable she was in her own skin.

It took everything for him to hold back the exhilaration that came from knowing that she was his wife. Now that he had her, nothing would come between them. He’d make sure of it. 

His first test came quickly at the airport coffee shop. In one-minute, Donovan was perusing through a magazine at the novelty store. The next minute, from across the walkway, he watched a complete stranger approach his wife. A surge of anger rushed through him. Can’t the man see she’s wearing a wedding ring? Oblivious of the man’s attraction to her, Becca, his wife, entertained a conversation with the stranger. It took everything in Donovan to not walk over there and snatch her away from the man. Instead, he casually approached them. By this time Becca had her coffee.

“Do you know that man?”

“Yes. We were in the same economics classes in college.”

That wasn’t the answer Donovan wanted. “Oh. How well did you know each other?” 

“He dated a girl from my dorm named Jenny.”

Her answer settled him.

She stopped to study his face. “Are you mad at me?”

The problem with them having such a strong friendship was her ability to hear the moods in his voice. “No.” He began his lie and corrected course. There was no point in lying. She was his wife, and it was better if she knew his feelings for her. “I’m not mad. I just don’t like it when it’s obvious that you’re married and men talk to you. They need to get on with their business and leave you alone.”

“You’re jealous?”

“No.”

Her eyes scrunched and asked the question, “What was that about?”

An uncomfortable feeling came with the look. He couldn’t pull off acting cool. “Okay. Fine. Yes. Are you happy?”

She replied with a pleased smile that extended to her eyes.

“What?” For some reason, the smile added to his discomfort.

“I wish I could go back and tell my fifteen-year-old self about this. She would never believe me.”

“Why fifteen?”

“She was madly in love with you and swore she’d never have a chance.”

This he liked hearing. “You were in love with me when you were fifteen?”

“C’mon. Who wasn’t? Running back with the most points. Scoring triple doubles during basketball season. And, you wrapped up the year by being the anchor for the four by four hundred relay.”

All this time he thought she hadn’t noticed. It wasn’t like she said much about it when they went to school. He targeted on one specific point she made. “So. This is a dream come true for you?”

In that instance, he saw it in her eyes. She withdrew in anticipation of something. He had no clue what it was.

Donovan redirected to comfort her. “Just so you know, it is for me too. It killed me all those years seeing you with those losers.”

Her brow wrinkled as though this was news to her.

“None of that matters now. I have you, and you have me.” He leaned in to kiss her.

“Look at the newlyweds!”

Both of them startled in reaction to the interruption. Lloyd, one of the extension agency officers in the community affairs office where he worked, tapped Donovan on the back. “How are they going to function with two of us being out of the office at the same time?”

“You’re on vacation too?”

“Sure am. I planned this trip five months ago. I’m on my way to Hawaii. Where are you going?”

Donovan apologized to Becca with his eyes. He already saw where things were going and there was no way to stop the horse once it got out of the barn. He answered, “Hawaii.”

“Nice,” Lloyd exclaimed. “I’m meeting my girlfriend over there. Maybe we can go on some excursions together. Having you along will give her a chance to get to know people from where we live. You know, convince her to make a move farther north.”

Donovan nodded. In his head, he imagined himself honeymooning with his wife, not convincing some woman to spend more time with Lloyd.