Page 103 of Pretend Girlfriend

I opened my mouth to argue, but he was right. That was why I felt guilty. “And the way you reacted to the guy who tried to drug me.”

For the first time since I’d met him, Austin looked uncomfortable. “Aw, hell. I would’ve done that for anyone, even someone I hate. Forget about it. I pranked you, and you pranked me right back. We’re even.”

I nodded, then remembered we weren’t even. Austin was still receiving non-alcoholic drinks because of what I had told the resort manager. New guilt flooded into my body, spoiling the exciting flight like a film of grease on a pool of clean water.

“What’s that face for?” he asked.

I turned back around so he couldn’t see me. “There’s something else…”

The boat below must have hit a wave, because suddenly we experienced a moment of weightlessness, followed by the line jerking us downward. Fear took over and I screamed, my hands scrambling to grab the harness and hold on tight.

“I got you,” Austin said, wrapping his arms around me. “You’re fine. Shh. It’s all right. It was just a bump.”

I hyperventilated for a few more seconds, then calmed down within his grasp. I felt safe while he held me… surprisingly similar to the way I’d felt in Landon’s arms at the cafe.

“Thanks,” I said, now hyper-aware of Austin’s arms pressing against my chest. “I think I’m good now.”

He let go and didn’t say another word.

The boat reeled us in, and then we returned to shore. Austin pointed out every minor undulation in the sand, warning me not to twist my ankle again because he didn’t want to have to carry me. I stuck my tongue out at him, which only made him laugh harder.

When I glanced over my shoulder, Marisa was smiling knowingly at me. Shit. Couldn’t a girl be friendly to a member of the opposite sex without the interaction being scrutinized?

Landon was on the phone, pacing the beach when we reached our chairs. Conscious that Marisa was watching, I gave him a hug from behind, pushing up against his butt just like he had done to me.

“Hey, sexy.”

“Not now,” he muttered, escaping my grasp and pacing some more.

“What’s his problem?” I asked Theo, who was propped up in a chair with a Kindle in his lap.

He shrugged. “Not sure. He got a call a few minutes ago and has been arguing with someone ever since.”

“You’re reading?” Bradyn asked Theo. “Teddy, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you open a book. Not even during finals week in college.”

“You’re right: I haven’t opened a physical book since I was a boy,” Theo said with an easy smile. “I forgot to return Jurassic Park to the library in fourth grade, and I’ve been afraid to go back ever since.”

“Seriously?” Marisa asked. “You’re afraid of the library?”

“Hey, librarians are terrifying!” Theo replied. “Except the sexy ones in porn.” He winked at me.

“Good for you for reading,” Bradyn said, shaking his head. “Teddy reading a book? I never thought I’d see the day.”

Theo laughed it off, but I was annoyed on his behalf. They were acting like he was an idiot! I didn’t know why he kept up this dumb charade.

Landon hung up the phone and rejoined us. I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. I was determined to throw Marisa off the scent, even though Theo was watching just a few feet away.

And, strangely, I was aware of Austin’s eyes on my back while I kissed my fake boyfriend. For some reason, I cared what he thought now.

But Landon barely kissed me back. He pushed away from my embrace with a serious look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“There was a big scandal at DefTec,” he said. There was something unusual in his eyes. It took me a moment to realize what it was.

Fear.

“What happened? Did you lose your job?” Bradyn asked.

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