The Do-Over(78)

“I love you, Wes,” I said a little louder.

“What was that?” That smile was making my heart melt.

“I love you, Wes,” I screamed.

“So, does that mean you’re staying?” He pushed my hair behind my ear.

“Do you want me to stay?” I looked at him wide-eyed.

“Do you really have to ask?” He could barely contain his smile.

“I do. I don’t want there to be any miscommunications or assumptions between us.” I kept a straight face as I parroted back his words at him.

“T, you heard what I said yesterday, if you stay, you are mine. This is real. Me, you and Scarlett.”

“Me, you and Scarlett.” I smiled back at him. “Maybe Laynie, too,” I joked.

Wes laughed. “That one’s more than I can handle. But me, you and Scarlett, that’s perfection.”

Standing, I faced him and wrapped my arms around his neck. Wes Bergman was mine. And it was right. I knew that to the depths of my soul. No man had ever been so attuned to me as this one.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“Three things. First, how freaking happy I am. Second, how freaking cold I am. And last, but not least, if I’m going to get you back to bed with me to warm me up under the covers.”

“Come,” he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the companionway steps, “let’s go finish dessert.”



“Okay, I texted Scarlett and Laynie and gave them directions on how to get here. Scarlett’s so excited to see you and that we’re going to be sailing someplace to get lunch.” I laughed, “I woke them up. I guess not everyone gets up to watch the sunrise.”

“I was receiving an important message at sunrise.” Wes cradled my head on his chest.

I pulled the blanket up over me. “I know I should shower, but I don’t want to get out from under these warm blankets.”

“Is that the only reason you don’t want to get out of bed?”

Climbing on top of him, “Mmm, your body is so nice and warm. We do have a little time before they get here.”

Flipping me onto my back, “I can keep you even warmer this way.” He nudged my thighs apart.

“I think I’m going to love winter,” I quipped, reveling in his body heat as he entered me for the second time since dawn.



I was topside waiting for them when Scarlett and Laynie came down the dock. I waved, “Hey Girls, over here.”

“Thank God you were on deck,” Laynie rolled her eyes at me. “Or we never would have found you.”

“Why? I gave good directions.”

“Yeah and you also told me that the boat was named Second Wind. I’d be walking these piers in search of the non-existent Second Wind.”

“What are you talking about?” I was thoroughly confused.

“Tara, this boat is not named Second Wind.”

Leaning over the stern of the boat, I read the name upside down and saw for the first time what I had not seen when I arrived in the darkness the night before. Wes had renamed the boat.

We had pledged our commitment to one another this morning on The Do-Over. Amazing.

Wes came up from below deck, “You made it.”

Scarlett, decked out in tiara and UGG boots, ran to him.

“Princess, I like the head gear.” He slung an arm over her shoulder and made his way over to greet Laynie. “We finally formally meet.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“Well, it’s about time.” She was sizing him up. “I like this one, Tara.”

Wes laughed, “So where do you ladies want to sail to for lunch?”

“Virgin Gorda,” Scarlett was the first to respond.

“I think that may be a little far for lunch, but if you have a few weeks off at Christmas…”

“I do. We should go.”

“Where’s Virgin Gorda?” Laynie asked. “It sounds like a place for pirate sacrifices.”

“It’s down in the Caribbean, in the British Virgin Islands,” Wes explained.

“Oyster Bay?” I threw out a realistic suggestion that was doable before we all starved to death.

“Sure, we can do Oyster Bay,” Wes agreed. “You good with that, Princess?”

She nodded, “Can I drive?”

Wes saw the alarmed look on my face. “Well, let me get the boat out of the marina, then you can help me with the sails and assist me in the cockpit. Want a tour first?” he said to her and they disappeared below deck.

“I guess it was a good party,” Laynie said to me as soon as Wes and Scarlett were out of earshot.

“Best ever. It had the perfect guest list.”

“Who came?” she asked.

“Me. Three times,” I confided. “Oh yeah, and so did he.”





Epilogue


40 … and it Rocks





Bitter End Yacht Club

Virgin Gorda, BVI

Christmas Break





It took a little over five days from Miami, where Wes had his boat transported, for us to sail to Virgin Gorda. We were beyond excited to be back on land, eating food prepared by chefs and enjoying being pampered Bitter End Yacht Club-style.