A Surprise Getaway
Jackson and Lila standing in the middle of a tropical beach resort, surrounded by swaying palm trees, turquoise waters, and the soft hum of waves crashing against the shore. Lila, wearing oversized sunglasses and holding an iced drink, looks around skeptically. Jackson, on the other hand, is grinning like a mischievous child who's just pulled off a prank.
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The Suspicious Vacation
"Let me get this straight," I said, lowering my sunglasses to glare at Jackson. "You kidnapped me and dragged me to an island I didn't even know existed… because you thought we needed a honeymoon?"
He shrugged, completely unbothered. "You're always working. I figured I'd do you a favor."
I crossed my arms, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, sure. Everyone loves being kidnapped during their busiest work week."
Jackson grinned, leaning in closer. "Come on, Mrs. Carter. Live a little. Isn't this what married couples are supposed to do? Sunshine, sand, and a ridiculously overpriced resort?"
I glanced around, taking in the stunning view. Okay, maybe it wasn't the worst idea he'd ever had. But I wasn't about to admit that.
"I'm still mad at you," I muttered, sipping my drink.
"Noted," he said, completely ignoring me as he grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the water.
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The Chaos of the Beach
Twenty minutes later, I found myself wobbling precariously on a surfboard while Jackson stood in the shallow water, yelling unhelpful instructions.
"Bend your knees!" he shouted. "No, not that much! You're gonna tip over—"
I tipped over.
Saltwater rushed up my nose as I crashed into the ocean, sputtering as I came up for air. "I hate you!" I called out, wiping water from my face.
Jackson, laughing so hard he could barely stand, waded over to me. "You're a natural, Mrs. Carter. Truly. A modern-day surf legend."
I splashed him in retaliation, which only made him laugh harder.
After we gave up on the surfboard, we ended up sitting on the beach, the sun warming our skin as we watched the waves. For a moment, the teasing and laughter faded into something quieter.
"I didn't really plan the honeymoon thing," Jackson admitted, his voice softer now. "I just… wanted to give us something normal. You've been through so much, Lila. I figured you deserved a break."
I turned to look at him, my heart squeezing in my chest. For all his bravado, Jackson Carter had a way of saying the most unexpectedly thoughtful things.
"You're such a pain," I said, my voice teasing but laced with affection.
He smirked. "And yet, here you are. Stuck with me."
"Best mistake I ever made," I murmured, echoing his words from the night before.
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The Evening: A Disaster Dinner
That evening, Jackson insisted on planning a "romantic dinner" on the beach. I was skeptical, especially when he refused to let me see what he was up to.
By the time I arrived, barefoot and wearing a flowy dress I'd packed at the last second, I found him sitting at a small table set up right near the water. The candles flickered in the ocean breeze, and there was a suspicious amount of takeout containers on the table.
"What… is this?" I asked, biting back a laugh.
He gestured grandly to the table. "Your favorite. Sushi. Except I couldn't find a chef, so I had to… improvise."
"You mean you ordered takeout?"
"Exactly."
The sushi was terrible, the candles kept blowing out, and at one point, a rogue seagull tried to steal a piece of tempura from my plate. But I couldn't stop smiling.
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A Quiet Moment Under the Stars
After dinner, Jackson pulled me to my feet, his hand slipping into mine as he dragged me toward the shoreline.
"There's no music," I pointed out, laughing as he spun me around.
"Who needs it?" he replied, his grin softening into something genuine.
We danced slowly, the sound of the waves filling the silence between us. His arms circled around me, holding me close, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself relax completely.
"You know," I said, resting my head against his chest, "you're not as terrible as you think you are."
"High praise," he said, his voice warm. "But don't let Margaret hear you say that. I've got a reputation to maintain."
At one point, Jackson pulled something out of his pocket—a small, simple ring with a tiny diamond.
"What's this?" I asked, my heart skipping a beat.
"It's not a proposal," he said quickly, holding it up. "I just figured you deserved a real ring. You know, in case anyone asks."
I stared at him, my throat tightening. It wasn't grand or flashy—it was thoughtful, like everything Jackson did when he wasn't too busy pretending not to care.
"You're such a dork," I said, slipping the ring onto my finger.
"And yet…" he said, his voice trailing off as he pulled me closer.
"And yet, I'm stuck with you," I finished for him, laughing softly.
"Best mistake you ever made," he whispered, his lips brushing against mine.
The next morning, we returned to the chaos of real life—meetings, business deals, and Jackson's ongoing refusal to do the dishes. But as we walked back into our apartment, the sand still clinging to our shoes, I realized something.
For all the craziness of the past few months, for all the drama and chaos and scandal, this was my life now. And it was messy and unpredictable and absolutely perfect.
"Because when it came to Jackson Carter, nothing was ever simple—but it was always worth it."