Page 69 of Pretend Girlfriend

“This beach is stunning!” she said. “Mind if we join you?”

“Pull up a chair,” Landon said.

We sat on the beach all afternoon, then got ready for dinner. It was kind of awkward alternating using the bathroom to shower and change, but we made it work.

Tonight we were eating at The Lobster Hut, which was an open-air restaurant on the second floor, overlooking the main pool and ocean. Danicka had gotten there early to reserve a table big enough for the core family: she and Clark, Marisa’s parents, Bradyn and Marisa, me and Landon, and Carol and Theo. There were another two-dozen guests from the wedding staying at the resort this week, but there weren’t any tables big enough to hold that many people.

“A toast,” Clark said. “To the happy couple, and to everyone who came to Jamaica to celebrate with you. You’re surrounded by a lot of love.”

“Here, here!” Theo cheered.

The food was fresh and amazing, and the mood was pleasantly relaxed. Everyone was still worn out from the wedding, it seemed.

Austin and two other male guests were sitting at a nearby table. The waiter brought him a beer; after delivering it, I noticed the resort manager standing by the bar, watching.

He gave me a knowing nod.

Austin sipped his beer, smacked his lips, and then nodded happily. I nudged Landon and whispered, “I think the alcohol thing is working.”

“So far,” he replied. “Let’s see how long it takes him to realize he’s not drinking any alcohol.”

Landon stayed up late with the guys that night, but most of the rest of the guests went to bed early. Myself included. The bed was perfectly soft and I slept soundly; I didn’t even hear Landon come back to the room, but there he was, snoring softly in his bed when I woke up the next morning.

I admired his prone shape: the sheets covered him from the waist down, but the broad expanse of muscles in his back were in full view. He was spooning a pillow, and I couldn’t help but imagine myself in the pillow’s place. Just like the morning after the wedding.

The breakfast buffet was enormous: six long tables filled with eggs, bacon, sausage, different types of cheeses, bread, pastries, drinks, and everything in between. While eating, I wondered if Austin had gotten on the bus for the day-long hike. It would have left an hour ago.

I realized that I’d left my phone on “Do Not Disturb.” When I turned that setting off, I saw that I had a few unread text messages from last night:

Theo: I’m in room 3302. In case you want to swing by tonight.

Theo: Nevermind. Bradyn and Landon are here now.

Theo: Austin just showed up, too. It may have been a bad idea for me to buy the weed. Now everyone wants to visit me.

Theo: Your fake boyfriend can NOT hold his liquor. He’s slurring his words and talking about how great you are. He’s doing a good job of selling your deception.

Theo: LOL, I just realized that me, Landon, and Austin all know your relationship is fake. Bradyn is the only one who doesn’t know.

Theo: OH! I JUST REALIZED SOMETHING EVEN FUNNIER.

Theo: I know your relationship is fake. But Landon doesn’t KNOW that I know it’s fake.

Theo: And he doesn’t know that Austin knows it’s fake.

Theo: And Austin doesn’t know that I KNOW it’s fake!

Theo: Wow, this weed is really strong. I’m going to stop spamming you now.

Theo: Bye

Theo: Okay seriously, I’m going to bed now.

Theo: Unless you want to wake me up with a deepthroat blowjob in the middle of the night

Theo: Because that would be dope

Theo: Okay forreal now good night

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