Kismet by Becky Chalsen

Author:Becky Chalsen [Chalsen, Becky]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2023-04-18T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

15

A million panicked thoughts raced through my head as I pedaled back to Summer Wind. A chill had settled in the space between Emmett and me, and not just from the frozen treats. I knew Emmett wanted to stay in Saltaire longer, live in the dream instead of assuming our roles as fake strangers back with the wedding party. And he could not have been thrilled that the impetus for our quick return was none other than my husband.

What did Ben need to talk about? Could whatever Paige saw have somehow spread that quickly, fluttering through the streets from Saltaire to Kismet to Summer Wind’s front steps? There were dozens of legitimate reasons why Ben could and should be upset with me. For ignoring him since we arrived, for sniping every chance I could. For shying away at his touch and spending the morning biking and giggling and swooning over another man.

I just had no idea which it might be.

Imagine my shock when I climbed up to the top of the beach’s entry steps and saw not an angry husband with his arms crossed or a suitcase packed for a dramatic escape but, rather, a picnic.

I had spent the afternoon with another man while my husband prepared a picnic.

I had fantasized about kissing another man while my husband secretly shopped at the Kismet Market, snuck groceries to the beach. While he arranged this thoughtful surprise.

I swallowed my growing guilt and shoved memories of Emmett to the side.

“What is all this?” I marveled as I neared the spread. It was something straight out of a magazine, or at the very least, a sponsored Instagram advertisement. On top of a checkered blanket sat cheese and meats, bundles of grapes and fig jam galore. There was a basket of crostini breads and cheesy garlic sticks. A white wine chilled in a marble cooler, and my heart swelled when I realized it was a Beaujolais vintage, from a vineyard we visited on our honeymoon in France. Two plump pillows sat facing the ocean, and a simple baby-blue balloon floated along, affixed to a pastel tasseled umbrella. Ben stood with two glasses of wine pre-poured and a sheepish smile on his face.

“Happy birthday, babe.”

I ran up to Ben and kissed him so hard, he nearly spilled both glasses of wine. After he paused momentarily to secure them safely on a tiny beach table, already topped with straw baskets of serving ware and cutlery and a single, perfect cupcake, Ben wrapped his arms around my body and pulled in tight. My husband was six inches taller than I was, which I always thought was the perfect height difference—I could easily tuck my head right under his chin without even having to stretch my neck.

As he kept his lips pressed tight against my forehead, I wished he’d never let go.

“I just wanted to do something special for you, before the wedding events kick into even higher gear,” he whispered. “I know things have been—”

“Shhh,” I cut him off, reaching up to kiss his scruffy cheek.

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