Page 237 of The Romance Adventure

“Yes, Ryan. I’ll be your girlfriend if you’ll be my boyfriend.”

He wears his most satisfied smile and nods. “I guess things have a way of turning out in the end.”

“But it’s just the beginning.”

“That too, toots.” And he’s back with his typical teasing.

“Oh, here we go. You may as well call me fart.”

The color leaves his face. “No, I meant like tootsie. Or like the guys in old black and white movies, Hey, toots,” he says, imitating a star from the silver screen.

“No, you meant toots like fart. Never thought I’d say this, but I prefer Nugget.”

“Then Nugget it is. And I thought we cleared that up.”

“You never said what Nugget means.”

“Nugget like gold, the color of your hair, like something rare and valuable.”

“Oh.”

“What are you going to call me?”

“Impossible.”

“Har Har.”

“Let’s be real here⁠—”

“When have I ever not been?”

“All of the times. You’ve never been real with me.”

“Because I had thoughts about you that Brando would’ve drowned me for. He’d drown me, run me over, then throw me off the water tower.”

I incline my head with disbelief because, if nothing else, Ryan has always known how to yank my chain.

Time to change the subject. “So, now we have our reunion story. Tell me a little bit more about what I’ll find on social media about your runaway groom move.”

“I didn’t run. I was at my bachelor party and I made a casual exit.”

I can picture him sauntering through the door...and into my arms. No, I didn’t picture that. Nope. I fill my mouth with a bite of the bada bing coconut shrimp appetizer.

“I’d talked to my buddy Garrison and then Brando about my doubts.”

“That might be the first time in history that a dude left his bachelor party.”

“We were at brunch. Things were just getting started. Incidentally, Jayda’s mother planned it, so I don’t expect it would’ve gotten too wild.”

“Anything else I should know?” I instantly regret the question because there is probably a lot about Ryan’s past that I’d rather not be privy to, namely, all of his ex-girlfriends, flings, and whatever sordid affairs he’s had. I’ve seen enough online to make me understand his reference to Brando’s purported murder methods. Oh, and to be clear, my cousin wouldn’t hurt a fly. Okay, maybe he’d swat one of those, but he’s a poet, for goodness’ sake, and helps run an import-export company that sources Fair Trade crafts from South America and helps plant Christian mission bases.

Ryan says, “Just one thing. Chip passed away recently and left me his journal and a pen. Well, a pen with a plume.” Sadness tinges his voice and confusion, too.

I extend my hand and give the top of his a squeeze. “I’m sorry. My dad told me, but mentioned there wasn’t a regular funeral, otherwise, I would’ve come.

Chip was a mysterious figure and seemed to let the boys run wild all over the island, but they were family. I have no doubt they all loved each other. I never thought about the particulars of his parents’ tragedy because I had one of my own. It was more of a we’re in this together mentality. I didn’t ask him for details, because I didn’t want to have to share my own.

“Miss the ‘ole guy, but you know, we’d all gotten distant over the years. Ironic that his passing brought us back together.”