Page 40 of Fake Dating Adrian Hunter
“Definitely.”
With Isabelle.
There’s a pain in the pit of my stomach from that realization. My body is set on betraying me this morning. “I’m not sure I’ll be a good mom,” I say, my eyes ballooning a second later, realizing I’ve said those words in a response to Adrian’s answer. “That sounded bad. I didn’t mean you and I would… Ugh, I need to shut up.”
“Of course you and I will have a baby,” Adrian says. “I’ve looked at you way too many times since we arrived at the resort. You’re probably carrying triplets.”
My embarrassment lifts into a smile. He has a way with words that I’m grateful for in this very moment. A silver tongue that is coated in snark but also knows how to ease sticky situations.
Adrian leaves me to my breakfast and continues preparing himself for the day. It’s eight o’clock when we arrive at the jetty. Tory was not kidding when she saidluxury yacht. This boat is massive and has multiple levels. All the guests are lining up, waiting to climb aboard. From memory, Tory said the wedding is close to two hundred guests, so I guess they’re all here with us today.
“Looks like the six of us will be spending the day in even closer proximities,” Adrian says as we take our place in line.
I follow his gaze, finding Jake and Jannah arm in arm on the ship’s deck. Isabelle and her date are a few places ahead of us in the line.
“Good thing I’m wearing my sexiest bikini beneath this dress,” I say.
“Good thing you can’t keep your hands off me.” Adrian pulls me to his side, planting a kiss on my forehead.
When I notice Isabelle’s spiteful eyes on us, I nuzzle into Adrian’s chest, breathing in the scent of him and exhaling a dizzy smile. I could really get used to being in Adrian’s arms. Being confined on a yacht with our exes might be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
ChapterFourteen
All guests are huddled on the back deck of the yacht as we sail through the open waters of the Whitsundays. The hot sun glistens down on us while we listen to our tour guide, Ernie, prepare us for the day ahead. He’s one of those stereotypical Aussies with a thick twang to his accent and speaks in slang that I can barely understand. The guy is middle-aged and a little rough around the edges, dressed in khaki adventure gear, and speaks as if he’s been our best mate for years. Even if he didn’t have a thick Australian accent, I’d be struggling to understand a word that comes out of his mouth because all I can focus on is Adrian cradling me in his arms as he stands behind me.
“Hands up all o’ yous who’re comin’ with me for a dip in the reef,” Ernie calls.
The majority of hands go up while I try to figure out what Ernie said. Adrian takes the initiative by raising our arms together.
Ernie holds up the most hideous wetsuit I’ve ever seen. “You’ll wanna load up in one o’ these lil beauties.”
I make a retching sound which is supposed to be for only Adrian’s ears, but everyone turns to look at me, Ernie included.
“The wetsuits might not be flattering, darl, but you’ll be thankin’ me, considerin’ all the lil nasties swimmin’ around out there. I say it on all o’ my tours, that everything in Australia is designed to kill you. Stingrays, coral, and our array of jellyfish. Chances are, if you see a box jellyfish three meters in the distance, their tentacles are right beside you. The Irukandji jellyfish is the real dangerous one. The lil fucker is about the size of your fingernail and translucent. Real hard to spot. You’re in trouble if you get stung by one of these. The last type of jellyfish I’m gonna warn yous about is the bluebottle. They’re easier to see and look like the name implies. They’ll sting like a real dickhead but won’t cause serious harm. I’m not sayin’ all o’ this to keep yous from the water. Yous probably won’t see any stingers. But just in case, wear the wetsuit and yous’ll be fine. My speech is to benefit the beauty queens who think they’re too good for wetsuits.” He winks at me. “Trust me, love, you’ll be thankin’ me for it in the long run.”
Everyone looks at me again. Adrian squeezes me tight, planting a kiss on my cheek before he says to all the staring faces, “Don’t worry, if that speech hasn’t persuaded her, I’m sure I can think of something that will.”
I laugh along with everyone else. Well… almost everyone. From the corner of my eyes, I notice Isabelle death staring me again. When my gaze lands on Jake, he isn’t too happy either. That only makes me smile wider.
As soon as Ernie’s speech is over, guests flock to the changing rooms.
I lean back in Adrian’s arms, looking up at him. “You know, I’m suddenly not so sure about swimming in the Whitsundays. It doesn’t seem safe at all.”
Dad peers at the sun as he passes us by and puts on his best Australian accent. “It’s a scorcher today. Go enjoy the water. You heard Ernie, swimming is safe if you wear the wetsuit.”
“Yeah, but our hands, feet, and face won’t be protected,” I say as he heads for a changing room.
“You’re being pedantic,” Adrian tells me. “Ernie wouldn’t let us swim in the ocean if safety is such an issue. You’re getting in the water with me, end of story.”
“But the wetsuit… It’s so gross. There’s no chance of you wanting to hate fuck me after seeing me in it.”
He grins in a devilishly handsome way, forming a crooked, yet perfect shape with his lips that I want to capture in a photo and stare at forever. “We already established that I don’t hate you. Go get changed, Verena.”
* * *
I’ve only just managed to squeeze my ass into the wetsuit and slide my arms into its tight sleeves. With a twisted face, I stare at my reflection in the changing room mirror.
Gross.
