bridge of their noses and mischief dancing in their eyes. I see us flying to far-off lands with lists and agendas made by you. Lists that you know I’ll lose, or we’ll simply forget we’re supposed to follow, as we explore places with names we can’t pronounce and make love under the stars on exotic beaches. I envision afternoons here in Colorado with you working in the chocolate shop and me hosting exhibits at the Real DEAL, and evenings snowboarding, hanging out with my cousins and your friends, or curled up in front of a fire.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek and whispered, “Naked beneath the blanket, of course.”
“Of course,” she agreed.
He kissed her lips, her forehead, and the tip of her exquisitely adorable nose and said, “I look forward to growing old and gray with my favorite girl by my side, spending lazy days on our boat daring each other to do things we’re way too old to consider—and doing them.” That earned him a cute giggle. “I see our grandkids following us around listening to stories of our adventures, and I see you in my arms every night and waking up with me wrapped around you like an octopus every morning.”
“You are pretty handsy,” she teased. “I guess that means you don’t regret putting your biggest discovery yet on hold to come here and sweep me off my feet?”
“Not even a little. The cannon’s been under water for hundreds of years. A little longer isn’t going to make a difference. You made me realize that nothing is more important than spending time with the people I love, and, Carly Dylan, I am utterly and completely in love with everything about you. I can’t wait to start our greatest adventure yet as husband and wife.”
As he lowered his lips to hers, Birdie’s voice cut through the air. “Found the lovebirds! They’re not naked!”
Carly and Zev exchanged a heated glance and hollered, “Yet!”
Chapter Thirty
CARLY SWAM TOWARD the sunlight glittering like diamonds on the surface of the ocean. It was almost as bright as the engagement ring Zev had given her five weeks ago, when she’d woken up before dawn and found him setting up blankets and breakfast on the deck of the boat. They’d snuggled beneath the blankets and watched the sunrise, and when they’d poured their cereal for breakfast, a tiny gold treasure chest had tumbled out of the Lucky Charms box into Carly’s bowl. One look at the love in Zev’s eyes had brought tears to hers before she’d even opened the chest and found the gorgeous ring he’d had made to resemble the plastic one he’d given her. A round aquamarine gemstone was set in the center of an eight-point rose-gold star. Between each of the points was a diamond, forming shorter points between the longer ones. It was the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen, and soon she was going to marry the most beautiful man she’d ever known. She’d never forget the way he’d looked at her as he’d slid the ring on her finger and said, I loved you then, I love you now, and I’ll love you long after we leave this earth, because Carly Dylan soon-to-be Braden, our adventures have only just begun.
Zev reached for her hand, drawing her from her thoughts a few yards from the surface. Ending their dives holding hands had become just one of their many things since they returned to the island eight magical weeks ago. As their fingers interlaced, Zev pulled her closer. Just beyond him Carly saw Ford reaching for Randi’s hand. Randi swatted it and swam away. Of course Ford went after her.
Zev and Carly continued ascending, and when they breached the surface, the bright summer sun beamed down on them. Randi and Ford popped up a few yards away, and they all made their way to the boat. As they took off their equipment, Carly listened to their friends chatting, surrounded by the scents of the sea, freedom, and love. She could hardly believe this was their life. Well, this and everything else she and Zev had chosen to take on. Within a couple of weeks of being on the water, they knew exactly what they wanted, and it all began with Carly becoming Zev’s partner in his—their—company, Two Treasure Hunters, One Ship.
“That was such a fun dive,” Carly said as she unzipped her wet suit. “I swear this never gets old.”
“Neither does this.” Zev drew her into his arms and