Page 98 of The Guy Who Fake Dated Me

“I guess I wasn’t, untilJawson the water.”

“Because I protected you from the guys who boarded our boat?”

“If you remember, I’m the one that threw the invader off the ship.” Her glare made me laugh.

“You already know I’m afraid of you.”

“Good.”

I thought back to that night, but in all honesty, I hadn’t sensed a shift in her attention after that.

On the other hand, I’d been smitten from the moment I’d seen her. Sure, at first, I thought it was just a way to pass the time as Rachel and Shane fell back in love, but I’d regretted the agreement to just be flirting buddies almost immediately. Victoria was smart, sexy, fun, caring, giving, and lovely, all wrapped up in a curvy bundle that I couldn’t get enough of.

Which is why I wanted to see her again as soon as possible. I met her gaze and raised my eyebrows. “I was looking at my schedule, and I think I might be able to sneak away for a day or two the first week of next month.”

The glimmer in her eyes dimmed, and she shifted her weight.

“Are you busy then?”

“Probably.” Her voice sounded sullen, and in that moment, something changed. Did she have plans? Or was there a different problem? Had I come on too strong? Was I about to scare her away? I had to know why.

“What’s up?” I asked softly.

“I have a couple of visits with clothing makers that week. One of them is pretty far out of town.”

I waited for more. Like that she could meet me just on Saturday or maybe a weekday, but she said nothing. Was she not as excited to see me again as I was to see her? Disappointment filled my stomach like too much water. “Oh.”

Victoria squeezed my hand. “Let me look at my schedule, okay? Something will work out.”

Normally I would believe her, but doubt wriggled in my gut. I let her hand go and put my arm around her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She met my eyes and nodded. “Someone got me up before the butt-crack of dawn.”

“I thought you could be a morning person when you wanted to be. Plus, I got you coffee.”

“You deserve all the gold stars for that.” Victoria turned to face me and stepped closer. “But it’s still early.”

“Fair enough.” I grinned and kissed her again. Before I was ready to let her go, a car pulled up and gave a little honk.

Victoria frowned. “Do all rideshare drivers honk?”

I laughed. “This is the same guy who dropped me off. We’re basically best friends now.” I gave Mel a wave and studied Victoria for a moment. “I miss you already.”

“Of course you do.” She bounced her eyebrows. “Text me before you get on the plane?”

“Sure.”

Mel got out and grabbed my luggage as I said my final goodbye to Victoria. When I pulled away, we were both breathless.

Victoria reached out and tugged one side of my collar before giving me a beaming smile. “Be safe.”

This woman was my everything, and I wasn’t going to let her forget it. “I love you.” I held my breath, waiting for her to say she loved me too.

Her smile widened. “I know.”

I couldn’t argue with aStar Warsreference.

I rolled my eyes as she pushed me toward the car. I could have kept looking at her, but she shoved me in and shut the door.

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