Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Pierce

“I’m getting off the boat with Zariah. I’m flying to Vermont with her, and we’re going to make a life together,” I said to my parents and sisters during our last breakfast on the ship. My leg bounced uncontrollably under the table, and Zariah rested her hand on top of my knee and squeezed gently.

I offered her a smile and took a deep breath.

“Don’t be silly, Pierce. Do you hear yourself? Too much sunshine and salty air, I think,” my mother retorted as she proceeded to glare at me and my father.

“I’m not being silly. I love her. We want to make a life together. You can accept it or not. Either way, my mind is made up.” I clasped Zariah’s hand in my lap. I loved the strength she gave me to say what I needed to.

“What’s gotten into you? Ever since you boarded this ship, you’ve been under some spell. You have a life in Boston, a job, an apartment, family, and security. You’re coming home with us.” My mother looked at my father for confirmation and scowled when all she received was a shrug of his shoulders.

“Maybe he should make his own decisions.” My sister Tracy spoke up, and Leah nodded along with her.

“I agree, Mom. Pierce isn’t a kid anymore. Let him decide, let him learn from his own mistakes, and figure life out.”

I looked at both of my sisters in shock. I never expected them to vouch for me.

“Besides, you can’t deny how cute they are. Or how in love they look. You’d be blind not to see it,” Leah added, and when she smiled at me, I smiled back, happy to see my sisters having my back.

“She’s right, Mom,” Annie added before reaching across the table and squeezing both mine and Zariah’s hand. “I’m sorry we met in a crappy way, Zariah. I hope we can still be friends.”

“Of course.”

Tracy and Leah chimed in, both with their own apologies and promises of friendship. Everyone except my parents. They didn’t budge. So when it was time to say our goodbyes, we exchanged a quick hug and went our separate ways. I promised my sisters I would keep in touch, and I knew I’d be back in Boston soon enough. I’d need more of my stuff, and I suspected my mother wouldn’t remain quiet for too long. I knew how she operated, and one of her favorite things was meddling in her children’s lives.

“We’re really doing this thing, aren’t we?” Zariah asked as we made our way toward the exit and onto the gangway. The boat docked a couple of hours ago, and after packing up our things, speaking with my family, and having one last celebration cocktail, we were ready to exit the boat and board a plane to Vermont.

“We sure are, baby. I’m excited to see where you live.”

“It’s a small town, so trust me when I say everyone knows everyone else’s business. There’ll be some questions swirling about you. Zariah, the quiet loner has finally found a life partner, a mysterious younger man from Boston with an accent so thick and sexy, how did she score a catch like him?” I pictured the gossip at Ruby’s bakery or the town diner where people loved to gab about everyone else’s lives but their own.

“I’m used to the city, so this shall be interesting. Please tell me you have the small-town staples like a diner.” My eyes lit up.

“Of course. Would it be a small town without one?”

The plane ride was filled with conversation about where Zariah lived on the mountain and what type of job I could possibly get. We agreed to take things one step at a time, and I had plenty of savings to rely on for now.

“All I’ve ever really known is security, but I’d be willing to learn another skill.”

Zariah tapped her chin as she racked her brain. “You know what? I heard a new security guard company was opening, and it was run by Zach Kahan, a local who just returned home from the military. Maybe he could help. Let me see who I can talk to. For now, focus on settling in and maybe a little bit on me?” she teased and batted her eyelashes.

“Always on you.”

We kissed as the plane took off, and a few hours later, when it landed in Vermont, we kissed again.

“To our new life together.” I kissed the top of her head and inhaled her familiar scent I’ve seared to my brain.

“I love you, my cruise boy.”

“And I love you, my curvy cruise woman. Forever and ever.”