Page 131 of Fake As Puck
She’s the one.
The question is whether I’m hers.
“Where is she tonight?” Jake asks.
“Flying in tomorrow with my sister.”
“Your sister knows her?” he asks with a certain judgy tone.
I nod. “They’re best friends.”
“Ah. That’s either really good or really bad.”
“My sister loves her.”
“Then you’re golden.”
“Tell about you, Jake.”
Jake does the gesture at his neck like he doesn’t want to get into it, but I press to be a dick. “Come on. You? You can’t be that busy with that corporate job, can you? It’s not like you’re pushing your body’s limit for a sport, so you must find the time for dates.”
He glares at me, not liking that I’m dishing his shit right back to him.
I shrug, raising my brow at him. “No lucky biters, huh?”
He looks at the crowd. “Maybe if I had a sister…”
Me and some of the guys laugh. I nudge him, and he breaks into a laugh.
Someone else continues the conversation, and I’m grateful. My mind drifts to Liv. About seeing her tomorrow. About introducing her to everyone. About dancing with her at the reception and trying to figure out if this is real and what happens next.
Only time will tell.
36
The vineyard resort is straight out of a dream.
Rolling hills covered in grapevines, stone buildings with ivy climbing the walls, and gardens that look like they were designed by someone who understands the exact relationship between sunlight and romance.
It’s the kind of place where people come to get engaged, renew their vows, and fall in love all over again.
No pressure.
Tessa and I check in at the front desk, and I’m trying to figure out how to casually ask about West’s room situation when I hear a familiar voice behind me.
“Tessa! There you are, sweetheart.”
I turn around to see Mrs. Carmack approaching with the kind of smile that suggests she’s been looking forward to this moment for weeks.
She’s exactly how I remember her from high school. So perfectly put-together, warm but sharp, the kind of woman who notices everything and forgets nothing.
Tessa gives her mother a hug and a kiss on the cheeks, and then Mrs. Carmack greets the kids.
“Hi, Mrs. Carmack,” I say, giving her a hug.
“Oh, honey, call me Linda. We’re past formalities.” She pulls back and studies my face. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” My heart dips because I thought she knew about West and I. Tessa gives me eyes.
“She’s with me,” comes West’s voice from behind her.
