Page 78 of The Accidental Honeymoon

“Smooth,” he says, once he’s done almost throwing up. I can't help but laugh.

A family member strikes up a traditional Greek song. Soon we're all on our feet, forming a circle. Jay looks to me, pleading. I grab his hand and pull him into the dance. He's clumsy, stepping on toes and nearly toppling over, but laughs it off.

Honestly, if he keeps this up, he’ll win over my family with his effort. His smile is genuine. His eyes are bright. He fits in better than I ever expected.

For a moment, it all feels real. Too real.

As we leave, Jay is exhausted but grinning. "I've never met a family with so much... enthusiasm."

"Yeah, they're something." A strange mix of pride and dread swells in my chest.

He pauses and looks back at the house. "You’re lucky, you know. To have all this."

I don't know what to say to that. Instead, I unlock the car. We slide into our seats. "Thanks for doing this." I speak finally. "I know it’s a lot."

He shrugs. I can tell he's pleased. "Anything for my wife."

I roll my eyes. There's a warmth in my cheeks I can't deny as we drive away. He handled my family better than most of my real boyfriends have. Maybe even better than I do.

And that scares me. It makes this whole ridiculous situation feel possible. Like maybe our "fake" relationship could be something more. Even something worth fighting for.

twenty-seven

CALLA

Jay fumbles with his keys.I lean against the doorframe, every muscle in my body screaming for mercy. When the door finally swings open, I almost collapse into the foyer.

Dinner with my parents went late, as it always does. I told Jay to be ready for three or four hours. We were there for nearly six.

The first two hours were spent eating. The last four were just a lot of my mom and my grandmother sitting on either side of Jay, showing him pictures of me as a kid. It was cute when it started, but an hour in, I was tired.

By now, I’m exhausted and starving.

“I could sleep for a hundred years.” I mutter, kicking off my pumps. I dressed up for dinner, which I regretted after we had been there less than an hour. My feet throb with a vengeance. “Also, I’m somehow very hungry. We did go for dinner, right?”

“We did.” Jay ushers me into the living room with an infuriatingly charming smile. He checks his watch and I think I know why.

It’s almost ten p.m. Things here in Greater start to slow down at seven-thirty; by nine, most shops are closed. Getting a food delivery at this hour would be difficult.

“Make yourself comfortable on the couch. I’ll see what we have to eat.”

I hesitate for a moment, then shuffle over to the couch and sink into it. The cushions are ridiculously soft. I feel myself start to melt.Just a quick rest, I tell myself.I’ll just close my eyes.

The sound of clattering pots and pans pulls me from the edge of unconsciousness. I sit up slowly, every bone in my body protesting. I glance toward the kitchen. I can hear Jay humming something melodic under his breath.

Curiosity gets the better of me. I drag myself off the couch and pad toward the kitchen. What I see stops me in my tracks.

Jay is wearing an apron.

It’s a ridiculous thing, bright red with white polka dots, and it clashes horribly with the rest of his upscale, designer kitchen. He looks like a fashion doll someone’s over-accessorized. But in a weird way, it kind of works for him.

He notices me and waves a wooden spoon in my direction. “I thought you were asleep.”

“I was.” I lean against the doorframe, my lips twitching with amusement. “What are you doing?”

“Cooking.” He says this as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “You’re hungry, right?”

“Yes, but I thought you were going to microwave popcorn. I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”

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