Page 95 of Pretend Girlfriend

“Oh thank goodness,” she said. “I would never forgive myself if my honeymoon caused you to miss Boston next April.”

“Thankfully that’s not a concern,” I replied.

She accepted her margarita, then looked around conspiratorially. When she was certain nobody was around, she leaned in and whispered, “I know your dirty little secret. You’ve been careful, but I’ve noticed who you’ve been spending time with.”

Panic seized my body. Had Theo and I made too much noise in the rooftop hot tub? Or had she noticed Theo’s concern for me at the beach today? I took a long pull from my beer and tried to remain calm.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I winced internally. What kind of a response was that?

“Oh come on,” she teased. “You can tell me. Out of everyone here, I understand. Believe me!”

“What exactly are you suggesting?” I asked carefully.

Marisa giggled. “You have a big crush on Austin! It was obvious when he was carrying you on the beach.”

Whew. Relief soothed my body like the painkillers currently swirling around in my stomach. As long as she didn’t know about Theo, I was okay. “Oh, that… I barely know him.”

“I’ve seen you two chatting when you think nobody is looking. You’ve been flirting,” she insisted. “I heard about the prank you pulled on him, signing him up for that hike. Nobody does that to someone they barely know. It’s okay! Austin is a really great guy. I should know: I dated him for a month, and he’s been my best friend for a decade. But you don’t want to get involved with him.”

“I don’t?” I replied. Then I added: “I mean, I don’t want to get involved with him.”

“Good, because he’s afraid of commitment,” Marisa explained. “I’ve set him up with women over the years. Some of my best girlfriends. He’ll date them for a few weeks, but then he tells them he doesn’t want anything serious. I think he wants to stay a bachelor forever.”

“Oh, wow,” I said.

“I just wanted you to know. Just in case.”

“Thank you. But it’s fine, honestly. Austin was sweet for rescuing me on the beach today, but Landon and I really like each other.”

“Oh.” Marisa blinked in surprise. “Okay, I guess.”

I frowned. “Why do you say it like that?”

“It just seems like you and Landon have had a weird vibe this trip, that’s all. Maybe I’m reading too much into it! My love radar is all out of whack because of the wedding.” She gave me a hug. “I’m just glad your ankle is okay!”

I watched her hurry off with her drink. When I turned back around, the bartender’s eyes were laser-focused on my beer.

“I appreciate the concern, but I’m literally the only person here,” I said.

He shrugged and turned away, pretending to examine the liquor bottles behind the bar, but he still glanced in my direction way too often.

Between my twisted ankle and Marisa’s oddly accurate suspicions, I didn’t feel like going out to dinner that evening. “You go without me,” I told Landon back in the hotel room. “Tell them I’m resting my ankle.”

“Are you sure? We’re eating at the fancy French restaurant. The one above the lobby.”

“I’m positive. Thanks anyway.”

Landon looked like he wanted to say more, then shrugged and got ready for dinner. The French restaurant at the resort had a dress code, so he put on a button-down shirt and tie. I was fiddling on my phone with my leg propped up on the couch, but I stole a few glances of him when he wasn’t looking. He looked sharp.

“Text me if you change your mind, or if you need anything,” he said as he left.

It was nice to be alone. The room was quiet, and it was cool enough outside that I opened the doors to the balcony to let fresh air in. I propped my ankle up and ordered room service: a plate of chicken tenders and two orders of fries, the same meal I would order off the kid’s menu when I was a little girl. While waiting for the food, I wondered if I should spend the evening reading my book, or watching TV.

Theo texted me before I could decide.

Theo: How’s the sexiest woman in Jamaica doing?

Me: I don’t know, you’ll have to ask Danicka.

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