Page 57 of Line Change

“He’s a man on a mission,” someone, I think Elias, says.

The table erupts in laughter, and I can’t help but join in. Fuckers.

“What’s the rush?” Sutton asks. “I need to go get my stuff.” She gestures at Holt’s house.

“All taken care of,” I tell her I lead us around the side of the house and down the driveway to the black SUV waiting to take us to the hotel. “I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?”

“Yes, love.”

I greet the driver who opens the back door for us. I help her in before climbing in after her.

“Where are we going?” she asks, peering out the window when we start moving.

“You’ll see.”

“Bash,” she whines, stifling a yawn.

My heart stutters when she calls me by my nickname. I thought that’s what she said earlier, but I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it. Guess not. Hell, I love hearing her say it.

I grin. I can’t help it. “Say it again, love?”

“Which part?”

I reach for her hand, threading our fingers together. “My nickname.”

“Oh,” she breathes. “I—do you not want me to call you that?”

“No, wife, I like it.”

I don’t miss the way she turns a pretty shade of pink before saying, “Where are you taking me, Bash?”

“Our honeymoon. A night at a hotel in downtown Orlando. I wish it was for longer, but we have practice on Monday morning.”

“You didn’t have to …”

I tip my chin in the direction of the front seat. Our driver signed an NDA, but that doesn’t mean I want to flat out tell him this is fake. Which is the excuse I’m using for holding her hand, touching her, kissing her.

“I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted us to do something, even if it was shorter. I promise, once the season is over, we’ll plan a real honeymoon.”

“That sounds nice.”

“That’s my girl,” I tell her, running my thumb over her hand. She shivers. “You look beautiful today.”

“Thank you. That tux might be my new favorite outfit of yours.”

I bounce my eyebrows. “Oh, yeah?”

She gives me a once-over. “Definitely.”

“Glad you like it, love.” I kiss her on the cheek because I can.

When we arrive at the hotel, the driver opens the door and helps us out before taking our bags out of the back.

Check-in is a breeze, and before I know it, we’re standing outside our suite. The bellhop unloads our luggage in the entranceway and disappears with a wave, pocketing the rather large tip I gave him. But that’s one of my favorite ways to spend money - leaving or giving large tips. It’s the least I can do for those people who work hard for us and aren’t always paid a great wage.

Sutton steps farther inside. “This room is gorgeous.”