“I’m really fine. I promise.” He caressed the nape of her neck, one of his favorite places to kiss. “Will you come with me to the Summer House and spend the night with me so we can celebrate our engagement properly?”

“Haven’t we already done that at least a hundred times since we got engaged?”

He laughed at her reply. He loved her saucy mouth. “Baby, I’ve only begun to celebrate our engagement. I plan to celebrate it as much and as often as I can for the rest of our lives.” With his fingers under her chin, he urged her to look at him. “Are we good?”

“We’re great.”

“Then will you please take me to the Summer House and have your wicked way with me?”

“Since you asked so nicely, yes, I will.”

“Excellent.”

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Adam had forgotten the hideous pain of getting a tattoo. The first time, he’d had an image of Gansett inked onto his bicep and had nearly cried like a baby from the pain. Like then, Abby sat in the next chair looking blissed out as her favorite tattoo guy, Jeff, inked their engagement date onto her inner wrist while Duke did the same to him.

“You’re looking a little pasty, dude,” Duke said. “You’re not gonna puke or anything, are you?”

“No,” Adam said through gritted teeth, “I’m not going to puke.”

“Are you okay?” Abby asked him.

“I’m fine.” He’d be even better when Duke finished torturing him and he could get the fuck out of there. And then it occurred to him that he’d already agreed to undergo this torture again when they added their wedding date to the other arm. Ugh.

Forty-five minutes later, they emerged into twilight as the horn of a departing ferry pierced the peaceful evening.

“I love Sunday nights when all the weekend people are gone,” Abby said, “and things calm down for a brief moment before it all starts up again tomorrow.”

He took hold of her hand as they walked along the sidewalk, and he tried to ignore the throbbing pain coming from his left wrist. “My dad has always loved Sundays at the marina for that same reason. People leave on Sunday, the place clears out, and he gets it back for a short time before another influx arrives.”

“Thanks for doing that just now,” she said with a sweet smile that made all the pain worthwhile. “I know you don’t enjoy it as much as I do, so I appreciate it.”

“I enjoy watching you get all blissed out. Reminds me of when you—”

Her face turned beet red, which he loved. “Don’t say it. Not out here where anyone can hear.”

He dropped her hand and put his arm around her. Leaning in close to her, he pressed his lips to her ear and said, “It’s just like when you come.”

“Adam… Stop it.”