Page 90 of Resorting to Romance

Mila: Ha! Not wearing it. It’s in the oven.

Kai: Will there be enough left to share? Asking for a friend.

Mila: I’ll save a few slices just for you.

Kai: You’re too good to me, fake girlfriend.

Mila: You’re too good to me, fake boyfriend. Thanks for checking in.

Kai: Always. Have a good rest of your day.

I smile, even though a part of me wishes we could both delete the wordfake.

Kai has called or texted daily to check in with me ever since the night in the pantry. The day after we hunkered down with ice cream and cookies, he called to let me know he had told Bodhi and Kalaine about us. I'm glad they know. The fewer people we have to fake in front of, the better. And I trust them to protect our secret.

Over the next hour, the bread fills the whole house with that warm, grainy smell that settles my nerves. I pull it out of the oven and lock the kitchen so I can make a run to the hardware and garden shop. Years ago, a friend of my aunts’ bought three connected properties and left only one of the buildings standing. They turned the cleared lots into a local nursery, which I’ve been accused of keeping in business on more than one occasion. I have a penchant for flowers. I adore planting them, watching them grow, and seeing guests appreciate their beauty when they come to stay at the inn.

It’s a beautiful spring day, and I need to take every opportunity to clear my head, so I decide to drive the golf cart over to pick out some new plants. Noah can help me fill the front beds later this afternoon. He’s still at that age where gardening with his mom is one of his favorite things in life.

The shop is humming with customers, a sign the seasons are turning. I’m walking at an intentionally leisurely pace through hostas and foxgloves, calla lilies and salvia. My mind relaxes and my defenses drop. Too far, apparently, because when I turn toward the double-deep row of fruit trees, Brad is standing there, staring at me. He’s not shopping. He’s just there, watching mewithout making his presence known until I startle at the sight of him

“Mila,” he smiles warmly. “Planting flowers, as always.”

It irks me inexplicably that he knows I love to plant. He knows so many things—secrets and dreams, passions and personality quirks. All of them were gifts I freely gave him once, believing he’d keep them safe to cultivate and guard alongside me.

I nod. “Brad.”

“Aww. Please don’t be cold, Mila. I know I deserve it. Believe me, I know. I’d hate to think I turned you into some hardened version of yourself. You’re the kindest person I know. Don’t let my immaturity and recklessness from years ago be what turns you into a skeptic.”

His face is soft, pleading even, as if he wouldn’t be able to bear the fact that he hurt me that deeply. I see it all, because not only did I share all of me with him, but he returned the favor at one time. Once, in another lifetime, I was his confidante, his lover, his best friend. I read him like I’ve always read him.

I nod again because words feel like an invitation—one I’m not willing to give.

“I ran into Shaw the other day,” he says.

Brad shares this as if we’re having a casual conversation, as if he is actually just some guy I knew in high school, and, what do you know! We ended up at Nichols’ Nursery and Hardware on the same afternoon. What a pleasant surprise!

“How is Shaw? I rarely see him, since he works at the resort and I stay busy on this side of the island.”

“He’s good. He mentioned you.”

“Did he?”

I guess that’s normal. Shaw was in our wedding. A groomsman. He would mention me to Brad, I guess. Though, the thought of people bumping into Brad and mentioning me makes this island feel suddenly suffocating.

“He said he sees Kai every week for the managers’ meeting. And he never knew you were dating. He didn’t know until thatmorning we had breakfast. Is this thing between you and Kai that new? Or, is Kai not that into you? I know it’s not my place, but you deserve someone who will show you your worth and treat you right, not someone casual who can’t appreciate you enough to share the fact that he’s seeing you with his coworkers.”

Is he serious right now? My thoughts swirl from fears that Kai and I will be outed by some locals, to wondering why Brad thinks he gets to poke around in my relationships, to the fact that I’m not dating Kai at all, and yet he feels like an actual boyfriend in too many ways.

“You’re right,” I finally muster. “It’s not your place. Kai and I are together and that’s all you need to know. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me. He’s reliable and thoughtful. He’s kind and funny …”

Brad's face falls slightly and I instantly feel terrible for throwing Kai in his face, even though everything I said about Kai is accurate, and I haven’t even begun to brush the surface as to how special he is.

I’ve never been a catty person. And regardless of whether Brad overstepped when he told me not to turn sour, I agree with him. I don’t want to be resentful and petty.

Brad’s eyes snap up to something behind me. I turn to see Kai rounding the corner.

“Mila? I thought I heard you,” Kai says.

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