Page 26 of Fake Engagement with my Brother's Best Friend

It hits me, like a punch to the gut. That’s what I want with Grace. It’s not just about the physical connection, not just about fun or passion. It’s more than that. I want what Joseph and Emily have—something real, something that goes beyond the surface.

I want love.

I stand abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor with a sharp sound that draws everyone’s attention. Emily looks at me, startled, and so does Joseph. Even Grace’s parents glance up with concerned expressions.

“Logan, are you okay?” Emily asks, her brow furrowing as she studies my face.

I barely register her words, my mind too consumed with one thought—finding Grace. I need to see her, to apologize, to tell her what’s been on my mind, what’s been sitting in my chest like a weight I can’t shake. I need to make her understand that this isn’t just some fling, that I’m all in, that I’m ready for more.

I don’t know where she is.

“Logan?” Joseph’s voice breaks through the haze, his hand on my shoulder. “What’s going on, man?”

“I… I need to find Grace,” I mutter, the urgency building in my voice. “I need to fix this.”

Joseph’s eyes widen, and Emily stands too, worry etched across her face. “Where is she?” Emily asks, glancing around the room as if Grace might suddenly appear. I already know she’s not here. She’s been gone all day, and I’ve been too wrapped up in the chaos to truly look for her.

“I don’t know,” I admit, my voice cracking. “She’s not answering her phone. I haven’t seen her since this morning.”

Grace’s mom looks up, her face filled with concern, but I can’t stay here, sitting and waiting any longer. I turn to Joseph. “Have you seen her? Do you know where she might have gone?”

Joseph shakes his head slowly. “No, man. Not since the last time you asked.”

“Dammit,” I mutter under my breath, feeling the panic creeping in. Grace wouldn’t just leave without saying something, right? The way things went last night… Samantha’s words, the look on Grace’s face—it all flashes back, and I can’t help but wonder if I’ve driven her away.

Without another word, I grab my phone, dialing her number again. It rings, but there’s no answer—just the same cold voicemail greeting that’s been haunting me all day. My heart pounds as I hang up, running a hand through my hair in frustration. I’ve been an idiot. I should’ve told her sooner, should’ve been honest about what I feel.

“I need to go,” I say, not even waiting for a response as I step away from the table. I barely hear Joseph call after me or Emily’s concerned voice asking if everything’s okay. It’s not. It won’t be, not until I find Grace and make this right.

As I leave the dining area and head toward the resort’s entrance, one thought keeps playing over and over in my head.

I make a beeline for the room, hoping against hope that maybe she’s returned and just needed some time alone. I burst through the door, scanning the space for any sign of her, but it’s empty. The bed is untouched, the bathroom door wide open. It’s like she never came back after leaving this morning. My heart sinks further.

Next, I rush to the indoor pool. It’s one of her favorite places to relax, and I’ve found her here before when she needed space to think. But as I step into the quiet, echoing room, all I see are a few guests lounging and swimming. No sign of Grace. My pulse quickens with every minute I waste searching.

Frustrated, I head back to reception, barely waiting in line before asking, “Have you seen Grace Turner? Short, curly red hair. She’s been missing all day.”

The receptionist, a young woman with a friendly smile, taps on her computer, then glances up. “Actually, yes. Miss Turner left this morning. She said she was heading to the beach.”

I blink, processing her words. The beach. The memory hits me like a wave—the place where Grace and I had our first "date" picnic. That private spot where everything between us had started to feel real. Of course. That’s where she would go.

“Thanks,” I mutter, already turning away, my heart pounding with renewed urgency. The beach—the place where we’d first started this complicated mess, where things had begun to blur between fake and real.

Chapter Fifteen

Grace

The sun is warm on my skin, the sand soft beneath my fingers as I sit alone on the beach. I let the grains slip through my hands, watching as the wind carries them away. It’s peaceful here, quiet. A few kids are playing with their mom in the distance, their laughter faint but comforting. This part of the beach, the place where Logan and I shared that first picnic, is secluded. It’s like the rest of the world has melted away, leaving me with nothing but my thoughts and the steady sound of the waves.

I miss him. God, I miss him.

I close my eyes, the thought swirling around in my head, making it impossible to focus on anything else. The space between us feels insurmountable, like a gap that can’t be bridged. I know it’s not entirely his fault, but this… this mess we’ve gotten ourselves into—it’s not what I signed up for. The fake relationship was supposed to be easy, just a way to keep things simple and to have Logan close for a few weeks. But somewhere along the way, things changed. My feelings changed.

The truth is, I love him. That’s the most painful part of it all. Because no matter what I feel, I’m starting to realize that Logan doesn’t see me the same way. I’m just a pawn in this game, a piece in the plan to keep up appearances. I never meant for it to become so complicated, but now it’s too late to take it back.

I hear footsteps in the sand behind me, and my stomach sinks. Before I even turn around, I know who it is. Logan.

I stand up quickly, brushing the sand from my hands, instinctively wanting to leave before he gets any closer. I don’twant to do this right now. I don’t want to hear whatever half-hearted explanation or apology he’s going to give.

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