When he’d opened for business, Sophie was his first tandem jump. She wouldn’t describe the sensation of free falling as an adrenaline rush so much as a surge of pure terror. One jump had been enough to last her a lifetime. He often teased her that his ears were still ringing.

The sale of Aiden’s patent had been so lucrative he’d also managed to buy a cute little cottage within walking distance of his store and the beach. For now, he maintained his shares in Extreme Adventures. Ross had hired a fellow adrenaline junkie to take Aiden’s place, and he seemed to be working out.

The bookstore was doing well, thanks to a community of avid readers and tourists seeking beach reads. Sophie turned a tidy profit most months and had been setting some back to help them through the off-season.

In the distance the sun was setting. Sophie loved the way the sky lit the harbor this hour of the day, bathing the water and sea grass in golden light.

A seagull cried out overhead, swooping down to land on the harbor. The boardwalk was all but deserted, the shops already closed, off-season hours in effect. Aiden was bringing their favorite foods from the Dock House.

She peered down the boardwalk where the gazebo overlooked the harbor and marina. Aiden was already there, setting out their food. He must’ve gone home for a shower because he wore a blue button-up and dark jeans. She took in his broad shoulders and slim waist, his handsome face and dark curls, now ruffling in the breeze. Her boyfriend was quite the looker.

They’d had a relatively smooth several months, though starting two businesses had contributed a bit of stress. But true to Aiden’s promise, he opened up to her when things started going sideways. There’d been a few arguments followed by heartfelt apologies and forgiveness. This was the way relationships were supposed to go.

He looked up as she approached, a smile lighting his face. “Well, don’t you look nice.”

Targeting that sensual mouth, she leaned in for a kiss. “We’re celebrating, after all. How was your day?”

“Excellent. I was in the air more than I was on the ground.”

“I don’t want to hear any more.”

He chuckled. “Let’s dig in before the food gets cold.”

As they ate they talked about Sophie’s efforts to set up another book-release party and the launch of two more book clubs. She wanted her bookshop to be a place where people gathered frequently over the love of books.

“That was delicious,” Sophie said when she finished her last bite of mashed potatoes. The sun had gone down, the pink glow of twilight reflecting off the water.

She set her napkin on the plate. “On the night of the rehearsal dinner I was too preoccupied to taste a single thing.”

He pushed his plate back, eyeing her. “About what, exactly?”