Page 71 of Pretend Girlfriend

“There you are!” Danicka said as she and Marisa walked down the path to the beach where I was sitting. “Oh, you picked out a perfect spot, Joanna. Plenty of chairs, and all of them shaded.”

“Heard you boys had a good time last night,” Marisa said to Theo. “Just don’t get my husband in too much trouble. Hehe. I love calling him my husband!”

Theo gave a formal salute with his daiquiri. “I solemnly swear to get your husband in the right amount of trouble, and not an ounce more, Mrs. Cozart.”

“Good answer, Best Man.”

“Mrs. Cozart,” Danicka muttered. “I need to get used to the fact that I’m not the only one, now! Run along, Teddy. Us girls are going to hang out at the beach today.”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Theo said as he departed, giving me one last knowing smile.

“That boy is something else,” Danicka muttered. “Still a party animal at heart.”

“I’m just glad Bradyn grew out of it,” Marisa said. “I wouldn’t want to date someone who can’t keep a steady job, and bounces around careers like that.”

It wasn’t easy holding my tongue.

30

Joanna

It was a relaxing day at the beach, despite Danicka and Marisa’s intrusion. They chatted with me for a little while, but eventually settled into their beach chairs and closed their eyes. That gave me a solid seven hours of time reading my book, with the only interruptions coming from the waitress bringing me frozen drinks and a plate of chicken and rice from The Jerk Shack.

When I returned to the room, I paused before using my key and knocked instead. Then I opened the door a crack and loudly said, “I’m coming into the room! Just in case anyone is naked in here!”

Landon was sitting on the edge of the bed, tying his shoes. “It’s fine. I’m clothed.”

“Just making sure,” I replied. “Wouldn’t want anyone to get embarrassed about it.”

I showered and changed, and then we walked to dinner together.

“I wasn’t embarrassed about it,” he insisted while we walked. “I was just caught off guard.”

“I don’t know. Your face was awfully red.”

“Because I was caught off guard,” he repeated, deadpan.

“It’s no big deal. Seriously. You have a great body.”

“Weird thing to bring up, but thanks. So do you.”

I gave him a sideways glance. “I was saying that so you wouldn’t feel awkward about being naked.”

“Stop making it a big deal,” he said. “Or I’m going to make you sit next to my mom during dinner.”

I held up my palms. “Okay, okay.”

We were eating at the steakhouse tonight, and unfortunately they didn’t have any tables big enough to hold more than six. That meant everyone was sitting separately tonight.

“Oh thank God,” I breathed as we were seated at a nice two-person table. “I spent enough time around your mom and Marisa today. I need some alone time.”

Landon arched an eyebrow. “If you want, I can go eat at the bar.”

“No, it’s fine. You don’t count. I’m comfortable around you.”

He gave me a strange look, then picked up the menu. I realized that I actually was comfortable around Landon. Being with him wasn’t draining the way it was with other people. Which was kind of funny, since I barely knew anything about him.

“I just realized something. I don’t know what you do at Defense Technologies.”

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