Sun-Kissed (Love In All Seasons 1)

She can’t sign the divorce papers, but she can get fucking engaged to another man?

“Yeah, it’s really fantastic,” she boasts. “I’m so close to getting everything I want in my life. Finally able to move on from you and whatever that was about.”

It’s like she’s taunting me, tempting me to say more. But I refuse. I’m not gonna play this game with her, not in a public place when half the town can hear. Not gonna talk fucking money without my lawyer present. Hell, I don’t want to talk to her at all.

And we both know what our marriage was about. Sheila’s a gold-digger and she got wind that my family has a fucking fortune.

Alice squeezes my arm. I look up and see a twinkle in her eye.

“Congratulations,” she tells Sheila.

Sheila looks down as if just noticing Alice, which is a lie. I know Sheila––she’s been checking out my date since she walked into this dive bar.

“And you are?” Sheila asks accusatorially.

Alice, she bites her bottom lip and I can see the wheels turning in her head.

“I’m Aiden’s –...”

“Aiden’s what?” Sheila pounces. “Because between you and me, you should run while you have the chance. A man like Aiden wouldn’t know what to do with a girl like you.”

That gets Alice on edge. Sounds like she’s had enough of people telling her what kind of girl she is. “A girl like me?”

“Yeah, he’s from the middle of nowhere and never learned what it means to have manners. He has no idea how to treat a woman.”

Alice's eyes get wide but then they narrow. I just met her today, but I can tell she’s annoyed.

I think back to what she said earlier. That people have been making decisions for her, her entire life.

“Actually, I don’t think you know Aiden like I do. He treats me very well.”

Sheila smirks. “Is that right? And what do you know about him?”

“I know a lot. In fact, Aiden is my fiancé.”

Sheila’s eyes shoot up.

And I cough to hide my laugh. Damn, Alice just found her balls and she’s kicking Sheila where it hurts.

Sheila’s eyes rake Alice from head-to-toe. Truth is, my ex can’t really compete with the woman currently by my side. They couldn’t look more different.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” Sheila says dryly before storming away from us not asking any follow-up questions.

I wish she’d stayed, I like this catty version of Alice ... I like seeing her fierce.

“What was that all about?” Alice says. “Talk about an ex with an attitude problem.”

“That’s Sheila for you.” I shake my head, then smile. “Looks like my ex just met my fiancée.”

Alice grins. “I can’t believe I said that. Was it totally inappropriate?”

“It’s cute when you get worked up. And the fact that you wanted to defend me to that bitch? Alice, you’re too good to me.”

She beams. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me today. I’m all kinds of emboldened.”

“Feels good, doesn’t it? To stop giving a fuck about everybody else?”

Alice smiles softly, then takes my hand and laces her fingers with mine, our hands resting on the worn bar.

“It’s about time I start taking what I want. Saying what I want.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh, and what you want is to be my make-believe bride?”

She laughs. “It’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”

I refuse to say more about that, it would freak her out.

To tell her that I can see her as more than my make-believe anything.

Truth is, Alice is the real fucking deal.

“Thanks for sticking up for me with her.” I cock my head toward the exit that Sheila stormed out of.

“And thanks for giving me something to remember when I get back home.”

The words give finality to the discussion on what we may potentially be. We finish our meal laughing and kissing and flirting. She’s easy to be around and I am already imagining bringing her to my parents’ house, freaking them the fuck out with such a beautiful, refined, and genuine woman.

Last they heard, after Sheila, I swore off marriage forever. My mom would love Alice.

When we’re finished with dinner, I tell Alice I’m taking her back to the cruise ship in my boat.

With Chum by our side, we head to the marina.

“You really love it up here?” she asks as we climb aboard.

The smell of diesel and the rocking boat tell her plenty about my life and I’m glad she can be up here with me, see my isolated life for what it is. Decide if she wants anything to do with it.

“Lived here all my life. But I don’t need this particular place to be happy. All I need is a boat and a place to drop a fishing line.”

“So, you’ve fished all your life?”

I nod, pulling out of the slip and heading out on the open water. My boat’s lights are on, and they cast a bright glow across the ocean. “It’s peaceful out on the water. I’m not in it for the money, it’s for the love.”