Page 34 of Fore-Ever Yours

—Madame C’s

#EmeraldCoastGala

#Betthew

#AlmostKiss

Chapter 13

Beth

Ilookedinthehotel mirror after putting my deep purple one-shoulder sequin dress on. My hair was pinned on one side with curls flowing to the other, and my makeup was completely flawless, accentuating my facial structure. I felt a bit like Cinderella.

I guess it was too good to be true for me too.

The moment I thought everything was being wrapped up in a pretty pink bow, I was like a deer caught in headlights.

Flashes continued to hit us, but all I could think was…

Was Matthew going to kiss me?

He probably saw the paparazzi coming, right? Play the part of boyfriend. Sell this relationship.

We’ve managed to keep up this charade without kissing so far—two whole months of not locking lips. But Travis did say we needed to take it up a notch. Maybe he saw an opportunity to do just that.

Of course, that’s all he was doing. It’s not even a question that deserves contemplation.We’re acting, remember, Beth?Putting on a show for the cameras and the gossip mongers. That’s all it was—just part of the act.

But I wish it wasn’t an act.

We left the gala shortly after, a quiet ride back to the hotel, and it’s been more travel since. We packed our bags the next morning and boarded a plane for the next tournament.

I keep playing that moment in my mind, his face getting closer to mine, the intensity in his eyes then…nothing.

It’s like the almost-kiss, well, what I’m ninety-nine percent sure was an almost-kiss, drew an invisible line in our relationship. Something has changed between us.

Matthew is acting differently, too, but trying not to show it. His responses are even shorter now, quicker interactions between us, strictly business.

His eyes dart away every time our gazes cross. He’s on guard, his shoulders a little stiff around me.

I find myself analyzing his every move, every word, looking for signs that he might feel something too.

Maybe it was nothing for him, and he’s just in tournament mode. Maybe it was something, and he’s holding back because of our contract. Maybe I’m just a distraction from what he really wants. But you’d think he’d at least be happy about going to his home state. He’s mentioned not being able to see his mom or sister while he’s traveling. I’d expect him to be excited to see them. Well, I guess not when you’re bringing your fake girlfriend home. Maybe that’s why he’s acting this way.

So it’s not the almost-kiss. It’s the “I’m-pretending-to-date-a-stranger-and-now-I-have-to-lie-to-my-family.” I understand completely now.

But it doesn’t stop me from asking the question one more time. And this time I mean it more than just what almost happened at the gala.

“Matthew, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

I nod and put my headphone back in my ear to drown out the loud engine sounds with my eighties playlist blaring in my ears.

As I skip through, I notice just how many are tied to Matthew now. After our road trip and my growing feelings, each song is tied to him.

A montage of memories flashes through my mind as it plays.

When I slip on the coffee into his arms.

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