Page 38 of (Un)Expected

So, I kept my mouth shut, forcing my hand to sign on the line.

“There it is,” I sighed. “When do we start?”

Theo took the documents, stuffing them into his suitcase. “In due time. Right now, we need you to be prepared for what comes next.”

I knew that seemed too easy.

FIFTEEN

Two weeks had passed since I signed the fake dating contract, and I still felt unprepared. The day after we worked out the details, Adam went back to Los Angeles for some last-minute rehearsals before filming started. Since he’d left, it had been a non-stop stream of producers and actors checking into the resort, taking up almost all of our private villas and luxury suites on the top floor. From what I’d heard, many of the crew members were staying closer to town, making the local businesses extremely happy.

The movie was all anyone could talk about. Even Marta and Curt were conspiring to get a walk-on role, trying to convince me to talk to Adam every chance they got.

I just was doing my best not to get in anyone’s way.

While everyone else was prepping for the movie, Adam had been constantly checking in on me, making sure that I wasn’t getting cold feet about our deal. Every day, he sent me questions designed to help us get to know each other better. At first, it was odd, trying to answer his little icebreakers, but as they got more and more ridiculous, they became…kind of fun.

For example, this morning’s question:

Adam: If a wizard turned you into a monkey, what’s the first thing you’d do?

Me: Besides throw my poop at annoying people?

Adam: That’s terrifying

Me: Like to keep you on your toes, Rice. What about you?

Adam: Find the zookeeper and trick him into giving me all the bananas

Me: Okay, Curious George

Adam: Technically, he was an ape

My mouth twitched into a smile, reading back all our past conversations. There was nothing remotely flirty, only nonsense and sharing stories from our lives. He’d told me all about his stay in California and even sent pictures of his unbelievable home. While not nearly as interesting, I’d been giving him updates on life around here. Each conversation went smoother than the last. I wasn’t even hesitating anymore when he asked if I was ready for our first fake date.

The only thing I had to lie about?

Cole.

Almost every day, Adam asked me how he was doing, and truth be told, I had no idea. I’d only seen him once since the whole kitchen debacle, when we bumped into each other in the lobby. He acted like he’d touched something poisonous, practically running to get away from me before I could even say hello.

I hated that it bothered me, that each day spent apart ate away at me a little more. We had only just started becoming friends, and Cole closed the door on even that. Being cut off hurt much more than I thought it would.

Honestly, it pissed me off. I was contracted to spendtime at Adam’s side. If Cole was going to bolt out of the room every time I showed up, it was going to be an awkward six months.

As my phone chimed on the counter again, Javi gave me a look. “Mr. Perfect is keeping you busy this morning.”

“He’s checking in,” I said as I rolled my eyes. “Making sure the crew has settled in well.”

“Right,” he said sardonically. “He’s checking on thecrew. Whatever you tell yourself.” He gave me a knowing smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was the only one who seemed to pick up on my foul mood.

I ignored Adam’s question; if Cole wanted to pretend I didn’t exist, I’d do the same. Two can play at that game, motherfucker.

“Who’s lying to themselves?” Calla asked as she turned the corner, hopping up to sit on the counter. “And who’s blowing up your phone, Alex?”

“Adam Rice,” Javi smirked. “He’s been texting Alex every ten minutes for days.”

“Lucky girl,” she grinned. “When does he come back, anyway?”

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