Page 126 of Pretend Girlfriend

“Hi. How was your day at the pool?” he replied blandly.

“Relaxing! I finished most of my book.”

“Good.”

Across the table, Wanda was frowning at me. Was she suspicious? Probably not. If anything, maybe she would think Landon and I had a fight.

After what had happened this morning, it was difficult to pretend like everything was fine. I turned and chatted with Marisa to make it seem like I was all right. Maybe it was just me, but the vibe at the dinner table felt different.

“Don’t worry, dear,” Danicka said, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “We’ll get you all set up with a job when we get home.”

I tried to give her a bashful little smile. If I seemed off, maybe everyone would assume it had to do with that.

After dinner, Danicka revealed that they had hired the professional photographer to take more photos—this time of the entire wedding party, not just the Cozart family. A few people ran back to their rooms to change clothes while the rest of us got after-dinner drinks and mingled on the beach. The sun was setting to the west, and the air was beginning to cool off.

“Sorry about this morning,” Landon whispered to me.

“What are you sorry for?” I asked, feigning confusion.

He gave me a hard look. “You know what I mean.”

“I really, really don’t,” I replied.

He sighed and looked around. “Listen. Joanna. About what happened…”

“No!” Wanda snapped at Chloe. Landon and I immediately turned toward her. “Stop telling me I’m overreacting!”

“Now’s not the time or the place,” Chloe hissed at her.

“What do you mean?” Marisa asked, joining them.

“It’s nothing…” Chloe said.

“It’s not nothing!” Wanda said angrily. “I can’t hold it in any longer.”

“We were due for some honeymoon drama,” Landon whispered to me. “Hopefully it takes the pressure off of us.”

But then Wanda thrust out a finger, pointing directly at me.

“Joanna is cheating on Landon!”

52

Landon

As far as days went, today had been pretty shitty.

Yeah, I knew we were at an expensive resort on a tropical island. Most people would kill to trade places with me. But none of that mattered because of what had happened this morning with Joanna.

I’d never been more confused about my emotions in my life. I felt like a sailboat adrift at sea without any wind to guide it. Joanna and I had kissed this morning, in bed. She’d practically thrown herself at me.

And then I’d rejected her.

It was such a confusing position to be in. I’d never been more attracted to a woman in my life. That morning, cuddling together in bed, I wanted her more than I’d ever wanted anything. Yet the thing she’d said…

I’d wrestled with my feelings all day. Trying to figure out what to say, how best to convey it all to Joanna without bruising her own ego. And now we were at the end of the day, standing on the beach, and I was beginning to realize what I needed to say.

I needed to tell Joanna the truth.

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