My new husband sighed and leaned his head back on the headrest. “Are you sure? Then we could just stay in Curaçao for another two glorious weeks.”

“It is beautiful here, but Beau is coming back from God knows where tomorrow, and I want to meet him at the airport.” My brother’s SEAL team had been sent on a mission the day after the wedding, and every day without word from him had been near torture for me.

Evan’s hand tightened comfortingly on mine. “I know you’ve been worried about him, sweetheart, but now you know he’s okay since he was able to call you a couple of days ago.”

“It’s always hard when he leaves because I know he’s being sent to the most dangerous places in the world. They don’t send SEALs to Hawaii or the Grand Canyon.”

“Well, there are a lot of rowdy fanny-pack-wearing tourists at the Canyon,” he said, trying to make me smile, which had the desired effect as I pictured Beau and his big, fierce teammates storming into Arizona, guns blazing.

Evan gave a polite nod to Jack when he dropped off our drinks and then poured mine into a glass of ice before serving himself. “What a good, doting husband you are,” I crooned, reaching over to prod his cheek with the tip of my forefinger.

“Stick with me, kid,” he said, lifting an eyebrow and doing his best Humphrey Bogart. “I’ll make all your dreams come true.” I tilted my head and gave him an oh really look that had him chuckling. “Okay, except for maybe in the bedroom. You’re on your own there, sweetheart.”

From the other side of me, Blue Hair, who was obviously still eavesdropping, sounded like she was choking on her own tongue, and I had to cover my mouth with my fingertips to keep from spewing sparkling water all over the seat in front of me. “Cut it out, Ev,” I said with a giggle.

“We were so busy soaking up the rays on the beach and eating everything in Curaçao that we never discussed how your brother was feeling about our marriage. He seemed… stoic at the wedding.”

Rolling my eyes, I let out a deep sigh. “Stoic is Beau’s go-to emotion.” I tilted my head from side to side a few times. “He was apprehensive at first, but he came around when I told him that we weren’t actually romantically involved. I told him that your father was demanding you get married, so I was helping you out.”

“Did you tell him—”

“No,” I interrupted, “that’s not my secret to tell, Ev, but I think he probably suspects.”

He gave me his sweet, gentle smile and patted my knee. “I wouldn’t have minded if you’d told him. He seems like a guy who could keep a secret.”