Page 80 of Fake Dating Adrian Hunter
And finally, I get my heart emoji.
“Okay, so what do I do when I see him tonight?”
“Tell him you love him,” Tory says.
“Isn’t that coming on too heavy?”
“Verena, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. And let me tell you, that isthelook. I never saw him look at Isabelle like that. I’ve never seen him laugh or smile as much as he does when he’s with you. Tell him you love him. I’m certain he’ll say it straight back.”
I’m in a cold body of water, sweating over the thought of confessing my love to Adrian. It might be the most terrifying thought to have ever entered my mind. “You really think so?”
“Stop overthinking it. Get out of here.” She pushes me out of the plunge pool. “Go and pretty yourself up for him. It’s three o’clock and the men are returning in two hours. I know how long you take to get dressed. And remember, no drinking at the rehearsal dinner tonight.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
Even though I look fantastic in my blue dress, push-up bra and five-inch heels, I’m a jittery mess at the cocktail lounge when sundown arrives. I’ve already demolished one mocktail and am well through my second when the boat of men returns from golf. From where I sit at the bar, I have a perfect view of the jetty and the passengers docking, trailing their way back up to the resort. Through the crowd of men, I spot Dad and my uncles, Darius and Zac, but no Adrian.
Someone takes hold of my hand from behind. I spin around with a smile on my face, hoping Adrian snuck past all the men without me realizing and has come to surprise me, but instead I’m met with the gross surprise of Jake.
“Oh, it’s you.” I steal my hand from his. Why does he think it’s acceptable to touch me each time we see one another?
He’s wearing a yellow shirt with a tropical print that I want to burn. His khaki shorts are equally unappealing. I feel like telling him to remove those Ray-Ban sunglasses that rest above his dark hair, because I actually like the brand and don’t want to associate it with him.
“Verena.” He smiles at me with a doting look in his eyes. “You look lovely. How have you been?”
“Can I help you with something?” I check over my shoulder, adamant to find Adrian. My eyes latch onto Darius and Zac as they walk up the jetty, and I send them telepathic signals toget over here right now and save my ass.
It seems to work. Their heads turn to me, both giving an upturned lip the moment they recognize Jake.
“We need to finish that chat we started the other night,” Jake tells me.
Is he referring to the first night I kissed Adrian, where Jake ambushed me outside the burlesque dance class? “I wasn’t aware we started a chat.”
“Do you think we could talk in private? My bungalow is empty.”
What the actual fuck? Jake can’t be serious.
“You can’t be serious?” Darius speaks from behind me. Our telepathy grows stronger every day.
Jake’s jaw tightens. “Darius. Zac. Hi. How’s it going?”
“Great till we saw you,” Zac answers.
“Can you excuse me and Verena? We’re in the middle of something.”
“No, actually, we can’t. I’m pretty sure her boyfriend will say the same thing.” Darius nods off to the left, where I find Adrian standing by an alternate entrance to the cocktail lounge, his gaze burning into both Jake and Darius.
I elbow Darius in the ribs and mutter, “What did you say to Adrian for him to be glaring at you? I told you to lay low.”
“Oh, I didn’t say a word. In case you haven’t noticed, the guy’s been looking at me like that since the moment I arrived at this resort. He wouldn’t come near me all day. Guess he’s still hung up on the shower incident.”
I place my drink down and stand up from the bar stool, ready to leave my friends and Jake behind, but am frozen in place when Adrian’s gaze shifts to me and his harsh expression lights up into the most handsome, swoony grin I’ve ever seen. I’m a blushing mess as I smile back, unable to take my eyes off him. He’s never looked at me like this before, even though Tory claims he’s spent the past week giving methelook. It’s like no one else at this cocktail lounge exists except us. He looks amazing with windswept hair from the boat and is dressed in tan trousers and a white button-down rolled to his elbows.
Our gaze remains locked as Adrian walks up to me, then draws me into a hug so intimate it should be illegal in public. “Vee, how was the pampering session? You all beautified?”
I push up on my toes, greeting him with a kiss. “Couldn’t stop thinking about you the entire time. Oh, you haven’t met my friend Zac yet. He’s here with his wife—” I cut myself off, unsure whether mentioning Penny is the best choice right now, considering what went down between her and the strippers. I make a mental note to discuss this situation with Zac at a more appropriate time.
“What is with you being friends with all these attractive guys?” Adrian jokes, then reaches out to shake Zac’s hand.
