Page 19 of Fore-Ever Yours

A strange warmth fills me at her admission. A gust of wind causes a strand of hair to fall into her face. Without thinking, I tuck the stray hair behind her ear, my fingers brushing her cool skin.

Her eyes widen slightly, and her cheeks flush deeper as she looks up at me. She doesn’t pull away, though. Instead, she softly bites her lower lip, holding my gaze.

“Good,” I manage to say, my voice sounding huskier than before. “Because I enjoyed it too.”

Chai and Chatter

Sparks Fly at Fire & Ice!

LooksliketheFireand Ice Festival was heating up in more ways than one!

While everyone was sipping cocoa and enjoying the lights, we couldn’t help but notice Beth Mitchell and a certain handsome newcomer—yes, we’re talking about the mystery man—getting quite cozy.

We now know mystery man is Matthew Wilkes. Age, 25. Graduated from the University of North Carolina and now, Horizon Golf Tour Pro. No social media presence, but we think Beth will change that.

Picture this: a crisp Meadowbrook evening, twinkle lights glowing, and Matthew ever-so-gently brushing Beth’s hair out of her face.

Oh, honey, if that’s not straight out of a romance novel, we don’t know what is!

Now, we’re not ones to jump to conclusions (okay, maybe a little), but if body language speaks volumes, theirs is reading like a bestseller.

What do we think, ladies? Just festival magic or writing a love story for the ages?

Spill your tea below—gossip’s best with chai!

—Madame C’s

#BestsellingNovel

#FireandIceFestival

#MatthewAndBeth

Chapter 7

Beth

Thatwenttoowell.We sold ourselves as a couple to everyone, including myself.

I’m not that good of an actress.

After thatmomentwe had, we met with my parents and spent time with them. While we still had to maintain our couple-like facade, it was pleasantly uneventful and devoid of romantic glances, which is exactly what I needed.

We shared the exciting news about the job opportunity with my parents and they were incredibly supportive. I explained I’d be helping him for a few months doing what I love and studied for. And how I’ll be starting my own company.

They aren’t entrepreneurs themselves—my dad is a high school math teacher and football coach and my mom is a nurse at the elementary school—but they’re big believers in following your dreams.

I thought I’d get more hesitation or uncertainty in terms of traveling with Matthew but then I remember I’m presenting him as my boyfriend, and not the man I’ve known for less than two days.

And Matthew plays his part perfectly. They’re charmed by his wit, easy demeanor, and seemingly genuine affection for me. He’s gracious, attentive...the perfect boyfriend material.

Except he isn’t my boyfriend. But they don’t know that.

And I made sure to mention I would get my own hotel room, which visibly relieved my dad.

We had one more day left in Meadowbrook, which I spent packing and running last-minute errands. I ended it spending time with my parents. They wanted Matthew to come for dinner but I politely declined for him. I needed the space and wanted the last night with them to not revolve around this fake relationship. But of course, Mom asked meallthe questions I know she’s been dying to ask me since she found out about Matthew.

This morning, we left to drive a few hours to our first destination, Savannah, Georgia, for the first event, the Play It Forward Annual Tour, and Matthew’s first tournament, the Savannah Marsh Classic.

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