Chapter 1
Rylee
The blinding sun hits my face the moment I step off the airplane. The Florida sun is no joke, even here in Key West. This airport is so small that you exit the plane right onto the tarmac before heading into the airport.
A huge white sign with red letters that reads “Welcome to the Conch Republic” greets us as we walk into the airport and get blasted with cold air. No sooner do I step through those doors than my phone starts ringing. I check it to find it's my cousin, the one who's getting married here in Key West, and the whole reason for my visit.
"I seriously just stepped off the plane," I answer the phone with no hello because we only talked a few hours ago during my layover.
"I know. I was tracking your flight," Avery says as if I should know that on top of planning her wedding, she's also stalking me.
"Well, I’m here. I still have to go get the rest of my bags, but I'm on the ground." I sigh because there's no use in arguing with her. This is her week, and I’ll make sure I do everything I can to keep her happy.
"So, you're coming to the wedding without a date?"
"Are we going to have this conversation again? You know I wanted to bring Jase, but he's deployed. So, my date is my camera."
Jase is my military pen pal. We’ve been writing to each other for over seven years now, but we have yet to meet. Avery is the only person who knows I’ve completely fallen for my pen pal, which is why I don't date anymore.
My family assumes I don't date because of my body issues. I’m curvier than the rest of them, so I prefer to be behind the camera taking the photos instead of in front of it. It’s also the reason I started my own photography company after some encouragement from Jase. My business has grown so much that I now have an assistant.
Not only did I agree to do all the photography for the wedding, but I’m also one of the bridesmaids.
My assistant got in earlier today, and we’ll start scouting the places where we’ll be taking photos. It’s a great way to keep busy and avoid the “why are you here and still single?” questions.
"Rylee, you know I want you to be happy, but I worry that this guy isn't who he says he is. It’s been seven years. Why haven't you met in person? Only someone who has something to hide would put off meeting you for that long.”
"He’s not the only one putting off the meeting. I like things the way they are. As soon as he sees me and sees that I’m heavier than the image he has built up in his mind, it’ll ruin everything, so I’d rather just keep it the way it is."
"I want you to have a relationship with more than just a piece of paper. So, I…” She trails off, hesitant to finish the sentence.
"What. Did. You. Do?" I know that voice. She did something I'm not going to like, and I have an idea what it is.
"I want you to enjoy this week. You're in a beautiful location on the beach, and I set you up with a date for the wedding. He's Gabe's friend's brother and a good guy, I promise."
Gabe is her soon-to-be husband. He's a great guy, and I like him a lot. Even though I haven't met any of his friends or family that I don't like, it doesn't mean I want to be set up with any of them.
I take a deep breath before responding. I don't want to say anything that will upset Avery because this week is all about her.
"I don't have time to date right now because I have tons to prepare for all your wedding photos. I need to scout out the different locations, and I have plans with my parents, whom I haven't seen in a while. But I promise I’ll be nice to whoever you set me up with on your wedding day."
The line is silent for a few minutes, and I pull the phone away from my ear to make sure we didn't get disconnected.
"Well, that will have to be good enough for now." Avery finally says.
"Listen, I have to get to the baggage claim, get my bags, and then to the hotel. We will talk later, okay?"
"All right. Just shoot me a text when you get to the hotel. Take a day and relax tomorrow, and I'll see you at the bachelorette party."
After we hang up and I get my bags, I finally take a look around the airport. There are a lot more people leaving than arriving since it’s a Sunday, so once I get out front, it's pretty easy to get a ride to the hotel. I snap a few photos on my phone from the car.
The moment I get into my room, I dump my bags on the bed and pull out my laptop to check my email. I can’t stop the smile that fills my face. I have an email waiting for me from Jase.
Rylee,
Right now, I'm sure you’re up in the air, reading whatever romance novel you picked up at the airport store. I hope you love the book and get to finish it.
Remember to take this time to relax, too. I know you’re working and part of the wedding, but it's Key West. Go out. See the sights and be a tourist. Just be safe.
Jase
In my senior year of high school, we were given a project to write letters to a pen pal, a deployed soldier. I got Jase, and we kept writing after I graduated from high school. E ven after he got home from deployment, we continued to write.
We never made plans to meet. We just kept writing through his training, his deployments around the world, and through the Dear John letter that nearly broke him. A few years ago, we made the transition to writing emails. But when he's deployed, I still write the paper letters because he says he enjoys getting them during mail call.
Avery doesn't know that we’ve talked on the phone a few times during his latest deployment. That’s a new development for us, and after hearing his voice, I was hooked. It's gruff and sexy, and the call didn't last but a few minutes, but his voice had me so turned on I couldn't stand it.
Also, Avery doesn't know that I've seen a few pictures of Jase. I did a few late-night stalking sessions and found some of him and his Unit that had been mentioned in some newspaper articles, which led me to find his social media pages.
You would never guess that he's in his late thirties. He's handsome with a powerful body, built like a cover model. Not a guy who would be interested in a girl like me, so keeping all this online and on paper suits me perfectly.
I know Avery and my friends back home worry because Jase is eleven years older than me. He’s set to retire from the army in two years. I haven't dated much in the last few years, and they’re concerned.
Jase,
I landed and am now in my hotel room. Avery called to check on me the moment my plane landed. The ride from the airport was beautiful, and I can tell I'm going to have a great time taking photos here. Be prepared to be flooded with tons of beach photos.
I have a free day tomorrow after I do some location scouting in the morning, so I plan to take in the island then. I'm excited to walk down Duval Street and taste some of the local food.
Tuesday night is the bachelorette party. I'll be working on taking photos beforehand, and then my assistant will be taking photos while I relax with the rest of the bridal party. It’s going to be at this cute little bar downtown that has dancing and these tropical drink names, basically, everything that Avery loves.
The only downside to this week is that Avery has decided to set me up with a date for the wedding because she didn't want me to go alone. This is her week, and I can't tell her no, but I plan to avoid the guy as much as possible.
Stay safe,
Rylee
