Page 18 of Fake Out Hearts

She laughs and shakes her head. “I don’t know if that’s the best example, but sure.”

“Fortune favors the bold, remember?” I ask, and she flashes me a warm smile as her eyes drift to the matching tattoo.

“Okay. Yeah, you’re right. We’ll figure it out.”

The pop music in my ear halts as Holly comes back on the line. “Mr. Camden, are you still with me?”

“Yes, ma’am. I hope you have good news?”

“I do. I’ve held two first class tickets on a flight this afternoon, departing at 1:15 P.M. Will that work for you?”

I hold the phone from my ear to check the time. It’s just after nine, so that should give us plenty of time to get something to eat, pack, and get to the airport.

“That sounds perfect.”

“Excellent. I’ll go ahead and make the reservation for you then. Would you like me to charge the card we have on file?”

“That’s fine,” I say, and Holly goes silent briefly. I hear her clicking around on her computer for a few seconds.

“There we go. You should receive an email confirmation shortly with your flight details and confirmation number. Will you also need transportation to the airport?”

“I can handle that, but thanks.”

“My pleasure, Mr. Camden. Have a safe flight and enjoy the rest of your day.”

“Oh, I will,” I say and flash a grin at Becca before hanging up. When the call disconnects, I see an email notification with the flight details, just like Holly said. I hold the screen up to Becca. “We’re going to Vegas, princess.”

“Oh my god. We’re doing this, aren’t we? We’re really doing this! But wait, I don’t have any clothes, or even a toothbrush.”

“Don’t worry about any of that,” I say, giving her hand another squeeze. I still haven’t let it go, and I don’t want to. “We can buy whatever you need on the way or when we get there. But we need to get some food in our stomachs first, so let’s find something to eat before we head to the airport, okay?”

“Yeah, right, of course.” Becca nods. “But I don’t know if I have the appetite for anything, to be honest.”

“After all the calories we burned last night? Yeah, you’re gonna need to eat,” I say, and she blushes. I jump out of bed and throw my clothes on from the night before. I didn’t really have time to unpack any of the rest of my stuff, so it doesn’t take long for me to round it all up.

“Are you okay?” I ask as I zip my suitcase. Becca’s staring out the window and digging at one of her cuticles with her thumb. “You’re being awfully quiet.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“I get that. This is a lot to take in. Penny for your thoughts?”

She twists on the bed to face me, her dark hair falling over one shoulder. The look of girlish innocence on her face knifes me in the heart all over again—she really is one of the sweetest women I think I’ve ever met. I know this is the right thing to do, and that it’ll change her life for the better in a thousand different ways, but if she’s having any second thoughts about it, I’d rather know now thanafterwe tie the knot.

“I don’t have the words to tell you how much this means to me, Theo,” she says. “It’s both the craziest and nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. But I still can’t believe you’re doing it. Or understand why.”

I zip my suitcase the rest of the way closed and sit down next to her on the bed. I push a lock of her hair behind one of her ears, and she smiles at me. “Well, believe it, because I am. And I’m doing it because you deserve it after everything you’ve put up with from Shawn, after all the time and dreams he’s stolen from you. Now it’s your time to shine.”

“Thank you,” she whispers through the tears forming in her eyes. She brushes them away in a hurry with the back of her hand. “I don’t know what else to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” I tell her and peck a kiss on her forehead before standing up and offering her a hand. “Now come on. We don’t want to be late to our own wedding, do we?”

Becca laughs and rests her hand in mine. I pull her up and she runs to the door to hold it open so I can wheel my stuff out. In the elevator, I call for another Uber on the ride down, and by the time we’re done checking out at the front desk, a driver’s already waiting for us at the curb. Thankfully, it’s not the same uptight asshole from the night before.

An older guy steps out of the car and smiles as he helps us load my stuff in the trunk.

“Heading to the airport, I assume?” he asks with a knowing smile. I’m pretty sure he recognizes me, but he’s doing a good job of keeping his excitement hidden.

“Yeah, but do you mind if we stop to get a bite to eat first?”

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